Can Cats Eat Chocolate

Plainly speaking, NO! You cannot feed your cat chocolate. Just a few ounces of chocolate can endanger the precious life of this beloved companion. I don’t mean to confuse you, but from painful experience, I’ve seen too many heartbroken cat lovers. Chocolate toxicity disturb dogs as well [Learn: Can Cats Eat Dog Food?], yet cats are even more vulnerable.

If you’ve found this page about cat chocolate awareness, read closely until the end. My goal is simply to spread awareness about accidental chocolate exposure causing harm to our feline friends. With a clear understanding, we can better protect the kitties who are a joyous and lovable part of our lives.

So, if you want to know all the aspects of cats eating chocolate, from symptoms to treatment for toxicity, I have covered about everything in this article. Let’s read in detail.

Is Chocolate Dangerous For Cats?

YES, because chocolate has Caffeine and Theobromine and the resulting compounds Methylxanthines which cats can’t digest. These build up to toxic levels, worse with more cocoa content. Just a little chocolate can make cats throw up or have diarrhea.

Moreover, the fats and sugars also aren’t healthy. Therefore, Keeping it fully away from curious cats is critically important!

Interesting read: Can Cats Eat Pumpkin?

How Much Toxic Is Chocolate?

Chocolate is very toxic and dangerous for cats even in small quantities. Just tiny bits over time can make cats sick. Even 0.5 ounces of dark chocolate can even kill cats!

Baker’s chocolate and cocoa powder, with 0.2 ounces, are the most poisonous types.

White and milk chocolate containing over 1.1 ounces can also be unsafe due to sugar and fat.

Chocolate Poisoning Diagnosis And Treatment

If you think your cat has eaten chocolate, immediately take her to the vet. Some signs she may have eaten chocolate are vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, seizures, or an abnormally fast heartbeat.

Tests The Vet May Do

The vet will examine your cat closely. They also might run lab tests on your cat’s blood and urine. These tests check for signs of poisoning and heart problems. An ECG machine can check if your cat’s heart rhythm is normal. All this helps diagnose if your cat ate toxic chocolate.

Getting The Chocolate Out

If the vet says your cat did eat chocolate, they may try to make your cat throw up the remaining chocolate still in her tummy. Throwing it up stops even more chocolate from being absorbed.

Follow-Up Care At Home

When you bring the kitty home, feed her plain, bland foods for a couple of days per the vet’s advice. Keep all chocolate locked away or thrown out so she won’t eat more when you aren’t looking!

Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning In Cats

Your cat’s symptoms depend on how much chocolate they ate and what kind it was. Milk chocolate is less risky than dark or baking chocolate. But all types are bad!

You may see the following signs of chocolate poisoning in cats:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Fast breathing
• Maximum urination
• Excessive Thirst
• Fever
• Coma
• Muscle stiffness
• Seizures

Moreover, their heart could beat very fast, or their blood pressure could drop, but you can’t tell – only the vet can catch those by testing. So, don’t take risks with chocolate around cats!

What Should You Do If Your Cat Has Eaten Chocolate?

If your cat has consumed chocolate, time is of the essence. Immediately contact your veterinarian or emergency animal hospital to explain the situation and receive advice. I have compiled some of the following safety measures you can adopt:

Keep Your Calm

While feeling anxious if your cat eats chocolate is understandable, panic does not help the situation. Keep calm, gather all the info the vet might need, and focus on safely getting your cat in for treatment. Staying rational increases your cat’s chances of recovery.

Keep An Eye On Your Cat

If you see your cat eat chocolate or suspect they got into some, watch them closely for at least 24 hours. Make sure they stay inside during this time, too. Look for concerning signs like vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, tremors, or fast breathing.

Ask Your Vet For Help

Don’t try home remedies if your cat eats chocolate – go to the vet instead! The vet can check for signs of poisoning and may induce vomiting to remove the chocolate still in your cat’s stomach before it gets digested.

Determine The Quantity And Type

Tell the vet about the chocolate your cat ate – what kind was it? Milk, dark, baking chocolate? About how many ounces or pieces did they eat? Provide any wrappers or containers, too. This helps assess the severity of the risk to your cat.

Know Your Cat’s weight

The vet also needs to know your cat’s weight. Combined with the amount and type of chocolate eaten, they can determine how toxic the exposure may be for your cat’s size. Discuss all these details with the vet in person or over the phone so they can best treat your cat.

What Not To Do?

Always remember, don’t induce vomiting or give home remedies without the vet saying so; it is unsafe. Always contact poison control or the vet first for advice on chocolate poisoning. Follow their guidance only. Don’t risk the wrong care steps – get professional input first.

How Vets Treat Chocolate Toxicity In Cats

Veterinary treatment is crucial for cats suspected of ingesting chocolate. Proper therapy addresses symptoms, provides cardiovascular support, and accelerates toxin excretion through medications and intravenous fluid therapy.

Inducing Vomiting

If you rush your cat to the vet because she ate chocolate, the first thing vet will do is to make her throw up the chocolate still in her tummy. Getting it out fast keeps it from being digested. But it can be hard to make cats vomit.

Activated Charcoal

If making kitty throw up doesn’t work well, the vet may give “activated charcoal” medicine instead. This special charcoal grabs and traps the toxins released from the chocolate. So, they pass out of the body without being absorbed. The less absorbed, the better!

Hospitalization, Medication, And Fluid Therapy

If the cat already shows signs of poisoning, like tremors or an abnormal heartbeat, the vet will likely keep her hospitalized for more care and administer medicines to address the specific symptoms. Fluids through an IV also help flush out the toxins faster.

Preventing Chocolate Poisoning In Cats

The best way to stop cats from getting sick is by keeping all chocolate out of their reach. With curious and sneaky cats, this means putting away anything chocolate – candy, desserts, baking ingredients. Don’t leave even a chocolate doughnut or Halloween candy dish lying out!

Good People Foods For Cats

While cats shouldn’t eat too many “human” foods since they are often too salty or fatty, you can share some healthy snacks from your kitchen in moderation:

• Green beans
• Carrots
• Catnip tea or sodium-free broth frozen into fun ice cubes
• Berries (remove stems and leaves first)
• Bits of ripe banana
• Plain cooked chicken or turkey (no skin or fat)
• Tuna packed in water (low sodium)

Be extra careful around holidays and only give kitty snacks you know are cat-safe. Working together, we can all prevent chocolate poisoning in curious cats!

Click to know: Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?

Safe Chocolate Alternatives for Cats

While chocolate should always be kept away from cats due to its toxicity, owners can offer their feline companions several safe and tasty alternatives. Consider treats made with carob, a chocolate-like plant that does not contain caffeine or theobromine. Carob-based treats mimic the texture and flavor of chocolate without the risk.