Can a Cat Eat Chocolate in Boynton Beach, FL?
Have you ever wondered if your cat can eat chocolate? Is there something you need to know if your cat gets into a chocolate bar? In this article below, we will go over why chocolate is toxic for cats and what you should do if your cat eats this sweet treat. With the help of this information, you can ensure your cat stays healthy and away from chocolate at all times.
Chocolate is Toxic For Cats
Although it is common knowledge that chocolate is toxic to dogs, there are a lot of pet owners that don’t know that chocolate can hurt their cat. You should never let your cat eat chocolate. It can cause digestive issues that may lead to complications and health problems that need veterinary care.
Which Ingredients in Chocolate are Toxic to Cats?
Chocolate is very dangerous for our furry animals! The good thing about cats though, unlike dogs, is that they are rarely interested in chocolate. You should still never let your cat eat this. In order for a cat to live a long and healthy life, there are certain things they should avoid and chocolate is one of them.
Listed below are the ingredients in chocolate that are toxic for cats:
Theobromine
Most forms of chocolate have a chemical compound called theobromine. Although we can eat this ingredient, it causes severe reactions in your cat. The darker and more pure the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains.
Caffeine and Sugar
Theobromine is not the only toxic ingredient in chocolate. Caffeine and sugar are also bad for your cats. The majority of commercial chocolate we buy today has high percentages of both ingredients. While sugar does not cause death quickly to cats, it does increase the risk of health problems. Even if you give your cat white chocolate, which has a lot less theobromine than dark or milk chocolate, the high amount of sugar can cause an upset stomach. If this occurs constantly overtime, other health problems like obesity can rise.
Caffeine
Caffeine is especially dangerous to cats! Our feline friends have small bodies and if they consume too much caffeine, it can cause their hearts to flutter, beat rapidly, and hyperactivity with a crashing affect.
How Much Chocolate is Too Much?
You should feel calmer knowing that a small bite or two won’t permanently hurt your cat, but they should still not consume chocolate. There are toxicity levels, and it becomes dangerous when your cat consumes about 0.5 ounces. However, the number does change depending on the type of chocolate.
What Happens to Cats that Eat Chocolate?
Cats that consume chocolate often react negatively. There are side effects that range from mild to severe.
Listed below are the side of effects of chocolate toxicity in cats:
- Panting
- Seizures
- Tremors throughout Body
- Rashes on Stomach, Face, or Paws
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of Appetite
Although these symptoms may appear to be scary, it is rarely life-threatening.
What Do You Do if Your Cat Eats Chocolate?
If your cat has consumed chocolate, there are many solutions! You should start by figuring out how much chocolate they consumed as the amount affects the symptoms and outcomes. If you notice that your chocolate bar has disappeared and your cat is acting strange, you should immediately call your veterinarian. This is very important if your cat is experiencing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, as it can result in a seizure or dehydration.
Before bringing in your cat, try to get them to throw up the chocolate. Throwing up the chocolate can get it out of their system and consuming chocolate is only dangerous if they digest it. Afterwards, your vet will likely give your cat fluids and electrolytes to help with dehydration while they come up with a treatment plan. When the symptoms are not severe, sometimes fluid is all your cat needs. However, if your cat is suffering from seizures or erratic movement, their vet may order an ECG test. This test is important because it reads the heart’s beat and rhythm. Since one of the most dangerous effects that chocolate has on cats is a rapid or abnormal heartbeat, the veterinarian needs to monitor this, so it does not worsen.
Contact Your Veterinarian in Boynton Beach if Your Cat Eats Chocolate
All in all, accidents happen, and it is not uncommon to hear about a cat that curiously ate a piece of chocolate. If your cat has eaten more than 0.5 ounces of chocolate, they may feel negative effects like stomach pain, bloating, nausea, and seizures. If your cat eats chocolate, contact Colonial Animal Hospital or Colonial Gateway Veterinary Center in Boynton Beach, FL or book an appointment online. Our animal hospitals are staffed with compassionate and highly trained veterinarians who will provide the best care for your precious cat.