Any amount of chocolate is too much for your cat. All forms of chocolate are hazardous to your furry friend, such as dry cocoa powder and baking chocolate (most toxic due to their high level of theobromine), dark, semi-sweet, and milk chocolate, and even white chocolate, with its low percentage of cocoa.
Because cats are more sensitive to the components of chocolate than we are, obvious signs will be seen if a cat eats even a small amount. Initially, vomiting and diarrhea may result, along with hyperactivity, but if not treated, increased thirst, restlessness, tremors, and other signs of sensitivity may be noted.
For example, an 8-pound cat that eats only ½ ounce of 86% cocoa is at risk of severe seizures, and more than ½ ounce could result in death. The risk is even higher with baking chocolate—just ½ ounce is potentially fatal to cats. And with cocoa beans, less than ½ ounce can be deadly to cats.
Can My Cat Eat Chocolate? In short: no! Chocolate contains caffeine and an ingredient called theobromine, both of which are dangerous to cats; in large enough amounts, it can be fatal. These compounds are stimulants, and when absorbed in a cat's body, it becomes highly toxic.
Chocolate can be lethal for cats. Although most cats won't eat it on their own, they can be coaxed to eat it by owners and others who think they are giving the cat a treat. The toxic agent in chocolate is theobromine. It's in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate.
Most pet owners know that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but the same is true for cats. Chocolate contains the ingredients caffeine and theobromine, both of which are harmful to cats. In large amounts, it can cause death.
If you catch your cat in the act of eating chocolate, take them to a vet as soon as possible. If caught early enough, a vet can induce vomiting to try to rid the toxic element from your pet's system before it builds up.
Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Cats
Diarrhea. Vomiting. Weakness. Rapid breathing.
Depending on the size of the cat and the quantity of ice cream it ingested, the result could be anything from a fit of retching and vomiting to death. Chocolate contains theobromine, which to humans is a diuretic and may cause headaches but is toxic to most animals.
Felines don't have a sweet receptor on their tongue's taste buds. This means that they can't actually taste chocolate as a form of a sweet treat. Thus, cats won't see chocolate as a guilty pleasure.
Symptoms Of Chocolate Poisoning In Cats
Well, the first signs of poisoning will likely appear within 2-4 hours of consumption. Here are the most common symptoms of cat poisoning to look out for: Vomiting. Diarrhea.
Most cats are lactose intolerant
As kittens are weaned, the enzyme that enables them to digest lactose begins to disappear from the gut. This means that consuming lactose—which milk and most kinds of ice cream contain—can lead to upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting in cats.
Uncharacteristic sluggishness, unsteady gait, drooling, heavy breathing, diarrhea, seizures, and sudden bouts of vomiting are among the common clinical signs of feline poisoning (toxicosis). A cat owner who observes any of these signs will do an animal a huge favor by seeking emergency veterinary care.
A single Hershey's Kiss contains 0.2 oz (5.7g) of chocolate.
No. Milk is unlikely to be helpful in the vast majority of poisoning situations and can sometimes make things worse. Most pets are lactose intolerant and giving milk can cause or worsen stomach upset symptoms.
25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435). Even with treatment, one in 100 poisoned pets dies.
Can cats recover from poisoning? Cats can and do survive being poisoned if they're treated early and appropriately. In one study of 20 cats poisoned by permethrin, a chemical widely used in flea control products for dogs, only one died and this was because he wasn't taken to a vet for 24 hours.
So remember, nonfat plain yogurt is usually safe and healthy for cats and dogs to eat as a fun snack — just check the nutrition label first to make sure it doesn't contain a dangerous ingredient, like xylitol. And for even more power-packed benefits, consider adding a daily probiotic to their regimen.
Although many cats love the taste of this salty and sweet spread, cat parents should avoid giving their feline friends peanut butter. It provides no nutritional value and, more importantly, certain ingredients, like fat and added artificial sweeteners, can be harmful or even toxic to cats.
Cheese is not a natural part of a cat's diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can only get necessary nutrients from meat. But even though cheese is also high in protein, it can upset a cat's delicate digestive system. The reason for this is that cats don't tolerate dairy very well.
So, why would a cat eat chocolate? It is more likely the high fat or milk content of some chocolate that cats find irresistible. Your cat could also accidentally eat chocolate hidden in other food preparations, and some cats are just nosey and like to taste everything they come across.
Chocolate is poisonous to dogs mostly because of its theobromine content, which dogs are unable to metabolize effectively. If your dog eats chocolate, you should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms, or if they are very young, pregnant or have other health concerns.
So, can cats eat tuna? Tuna is not nutritionally balanced and should not be fed as a large part of your cat's meal plan. Even giving canned tuna as a treat can lead to health issues, especially if it is given in large amounts or frequently.
Yes, cats can eat eggs. Fully cooked eggs are a great nutritional treat for cats. Eggs are packed with nutrients, like amino acids, which are the building blocks to protein, and they're also highly digestible. Scrambled, boiled, however you choose to prepare them is fine.
While many "people foods," like chocolate, are toxic for cats and other pets, and they should be avoided altogether, bananas aren't toxic to pets. It is one of the fruits that cats can eat safely in small portions.