Is Chocolate Poisonous To Cats

Is Chocolate Safe For Cats

Chocolate contains two properties theobromine and caffeine that are poisonous to cats. Dark chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder tend to have the highest levels. While cats do seem less inclined than dogs to eat chocolate, it does happen and our emergency vets occasionally see chocolate poisoning cases in cats.

Can Cats Eat Chocolate Ice Cream Can Cats Drink Chocolate Milk Can Cats Eat Chocolate Pudding

Foods that contain chocolate, such as ice cream, milk, and pudding, are likely to be less toxic to cats than the stronger forms of chocolate such as dark chocolate and the more bitter chocolates.

In all likelihood, the larger problem with these foods is the fact that many cats do not tolerate the lactose in the milk very well, and significant vomiting and diarrhea can result from eating even a small amount.

Additionally, the fat and sugar in these foods are not good for cats. All that being said, if your kitty isnt lactose-intolerant, occasionally licking out the remnants of the ice cream bowl isnt likely to result in any significant chocolate toxicity!

What Should You Do If Your Cat Eats Chocolate

Call your vet if you discover your cat ate chocolate. If its after hours, call your emergency vet or the pet poison hotline at 855-213-6680.

The vet will want to know what kind of chocolate Kitty ate and how much of it she ate. Youll also want to give the vet your cats age and weight. Report any vomiting, diarrhea, or changes in behavior like hyperactivity or rapid breathing. Your vet will use that information to determine if Kitty requires a visit. Dont wait if the vet wants to see Kitty. Bring her in right away.

For more about poison risks for cats check out this post.

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Your Thoughts On Chocolate Poisoning

Did you know that all chocolate is poisonous to cats? Did you suspect white chocolate might be safe? I know I did before I researched this article! Not that I wouldve given a cat white chocolate by any stretch of the imagination, but Im very glad I took the time to look it up!

Have you ever known a cat or dog to have eaten chocolate? How did things turn out?

Let me know in the comments section down below!

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What Happens If A Cat Eats Chocolate What Will The Vet Do

The treatment your cat receives will depend on when they ate chocolate, the type of chocolate, how much, and whether they have symptoms of chocolate toxicity. Your veterinarian will need some of this information from you. A veterinary examination will help determine what needs to happen next.

Your cat may not have signs of chocolate toxicity. In this case, your veterinarian may give them an injection to make them vomit. If they bring the chocolate up, you may be able to take your cat home again. Your cat may also receive activated charcoal, which is given by mouth. This reduces the absorption of toxins into your cats body.

If your cat has chocolate poisoning, their symptoms need treating. Unfortunately, there is no antidote, so the treatment depends on the symptoms your cat is displaying. This may include intravenous fluids, anti-seizure medication, anti-sickness medication, or medication to control heart problems. Your cat may need to stay in a veterinary clinic for treatment if they are unwell.

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Can Cats Eat Chocolate

NOTE: IF your cat may have eaten chocolate, contact your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline at .

Its well known that chocolate is toxic to our canine companions, but can cats eat chocolate?

Eating chocolate seems less common in cats , but when it does happen, the toxicity is just as severe.

Heres everything you need to know about chocolate toxicity in cats and what you can do if you suspect that your cat has eaten chocolate.

Will A Cat Die If It Eats Chocolate

The risk of death to your cat from eating chocolate depends on the type of chocolate eaten, how much, and how quickly they receive treatment after eating it. Dark chocolate is more likely to cause death if eaten by your cat, but milk chocolate can be just as risky if consumed in large amounts. A cat with severe toxicity that develops seizures or heart problems may not survive. Swift veterinary treatment is critical to give the best prognosis. Although not common, a cat could die from eating chocolate.

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Treatment Of Chocolate Toxicity In Cats

If your cat is at risk for chocolate poisoning, then your veterinarian may induce vomiting or recommend you do so at home, before bringing it in for an examination. One or two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide often makes a cat vomit up the contents of its stomach. So, if your cat has recently ingested some chocolate, this can help to get rid of it and any wrappers that may have also been consumed. Getting a cat to take hydrogen peroxide can be difficult though, especially if you don’t have a syringe at home. So, it is often recommended to bring your cat into the animal hospital as soon as possible.

Once at your veterinarian’s clinic, your cat may need fluid therapy to stay hydrated and blood or urine tests may be performed. An ECG may also be performed to look for abnormal rhythms of the heart. Symptoms will be treated as needed and a bland diet is typically recommended for the next few days. If treatment is not received promptly after the ingestion of chocolate, then death might be possible, if enough theobromine has been ingested.

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Video Answer: Chocolate And Dogs

In large enough amounts, chocolate and cocoa products can kill your dog.

The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine.

Humans easily metabolize theobromine, but dogs process it much more slowly, allowing it to build up to toxic levels in their system.

Call your vet for advice or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now. It will help your vet if you can tell them how much chocolate your dog ate, what type it was wrappers can be very helpful and when your dog ate it.

It depends on the type of chocolate and the size of the dog but, as a rule, toxic effects in dogs occur at theobromine doses of 20 milligrams per kilogram of weight, with severe signs at 40-50 mg/kg and seizures at 60 mg/kg.

Typically, a toxic dose of milk chocolate is 5 ounces per pound of body weight.

While a bite of chocolate generally isn’t a concern, a 10-pound puppy can still get very sick from eating as little as 8 ounces of milk chocolate.

For milk chocolate, any ingestion of more than 0.5 ounces per pound of body weight may put dogs at risk for chocolate poisoning. Ingestions of more than 0.13 ounces per pound of dark or semi-sweet chocolate may cause poisoning.

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Why Can’t My Cat Eat Chocolate

A bar of chocolate may be a tasty treat for us humans, but you should never share it with your cat.

Chocolate contains a chemical compound called theobromine which is toxic for cats and dogs. It acts as a stimulant to increase their heart rate and a diuretic to increase the loss of their bodily fluids, both of which can prove fatal.

In fact, theobromine is actually toxic for us too, but because our bodies can process it more effectively, we would need to eat around 70 grams to reach a lethal dose. That equates to eating around 35 kilograms of milk chocolate in one go, which isnt easy for us to do!

Cats and dogs are not as good at processing theobromine, so it stays in their bloodstream for much longer and can accumulate to dangerous levels more easily. Therefore, eating just a couple of grams of chocolate can be fatal for a cat.

Dark chocolate with a higher percentage of cocoa content will contain more theobromine than milk or white chocolate, but all are dangerous. If your moggy has scoffed any of your chocolate stash you should take them to a vet straight away.

Some the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats you should look out for are:

• vomiting
• irregular heartbeat
• seizures

The severity of these symptoms will depend on your cats weight and how much chocolate they have eaten, but if youre worried its best not to wait for the signs to appear before taking them to the vet.

How Can I Make My Cat Puke Should I

Do not try to make your cat vomit. If your cat has eaten chocolate, you should speak to your veterinarian before attempting anything at home. You could make your cats condition worse if you try to make them sick. A cat should not be forced to vomit if they have chocolate toxicity symptoms, or if you have a young, old, or diabetic cat, for example. If you have seen your cat vomiting, you should still call your veterinarian, who will advise you.

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What Should You Do If Your Cat Has Eaten Chocolate

If you have reason to believe your cat has eaten chocolate but have not seen them do so, heres what to do:

How Much Of The Chocolate Is Too Much For Your Feline Friend

There is no too much chocolate for your cat, as any amount is poisonous.

However, the level of toxicity varies depending on how much the cat ingests, the type of chocolate, and the cats weight.

Even as little as 20mg of theobromine per pound of pet weight can induce symptoms and cause health issues.

For this reason, you should get in touch with your veterinarian if your 10-pound cat takes one of the following:

• 20 grams plus of ark chocolate
• One square of unsweetened baked chocolate
• 78 grams of milk chocolate candies
• 1.5 tablespoons of dry cocoa powder
• 5 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
• A tiny slice of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

These are just examples, but the truth of the matter is that you should not allow your cat to eat even a small portion of chocolate, as any chocolate is toxic to your furry friend.

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Symptoms Of Chocolate Poisoning In Cats

The signs of chocolate poisoning in cats are many, with vomiting, diarrhea and increased urination being the most common ones.

The main signs of chocolate poisoning are vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, agitation and hyperactivity, trembling, twitching and seizures, muscle tremors, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, with abnormal heart rhythms, and ultimately death in severe cases.

Video Answer: What Happens When A Dog Eats Chocolate

Milk chocolate – it’s not too bad a small 45g / 1.6oz bar of milk chocolate would only be dangerous to a pet weighing less than 3.2kg or 7lb a medium sized milk chocolate bar of 100g / 3.5oz is poisonous for a 7kg / 15.7lb pooch a large 250g / 9oz block of milk chocolate would be toxic to an 18kg / …

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Medical Treatment For Your Pet

The vets treatment for chocolate poisoning usually involves inducing vomiting within 2 hours after your tabby has eaten chocolate. He may also prescribe medications to control its heart rate.

Sometime, he will advise for the administration of intravenous fluids in cats to prevent them from the toxic ingredients causing further damage. These fluids will also keep the cat hydrated during the administration of fluids.

The vet may also provide activated charcoal to your cat to limit the absorption of toxic ingredients. Sometimes, the vet will also insert a urinary catheter in cats to manage the condition of chocolate consumption.

But, your cats health and weight along with the amount and type of chocolate it ingests will determine further tests and treatment.

What Are The Symptoms Of Chocolate Poisoning In Cats

Symptoms will vary depending on the amount of chocolate the cat has consumed. The most common symptoms are: vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive urination, nausea, seizures, and an irregular heartbeat. A larger dose of chocolate may well induce a coma or death.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning usually start within a few hours of ingestion but can take up to a day to show themselves. If you think that your cat has eaten chocolate and been poisoned, don’t wait for the symptoms to appear and contact your vet straight away. The extent of poisoning depends on how much chocolate your cat has consumed, so your our vet will ask how how much your cat weighs, and how much chocolate he has ingested.

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When To Call The Vet

If you notice any signs of chocolate toxicity in your cat, take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible. But, immediate veterinary attention is required in case if your 10-pound cat consumes any of the following.

• 5 tablespoons of dry cocoa powder
• 2 packages of regular M& Ms
• Two whole 3 Musketeers bars
• 23 Hersheys Kisses
• 5 tablespoons of chocolate syrup
• 78g of milk chocolate candies
• A thin slice of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting
• One square of unsweetened baking chocolate

Why Is Chocolate Bad For Cats

Although sugar, fat, and xylitol aren’t good for cats either, chocolate contains two ingredients that pose a threat to an animal’s health: caffeine and theobromine, a plant alkaloid that occurs naturally in cacao. Theobromine in particular is a proven toxin for most animals, including cats, as noted in a study published by the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.

The Latin name for the cocoa plant is Theobroma cacao, meaning “food for the gods,” and the roasted beans do make a yummy treat, but what makes chocolate so delightful for humans is exactly what makes it so dangerous for pets.

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How To Care Your Cat When It Gets Treatment

After treatment, monitor your cat continuously for any other ill effects and ensure that it is completely all right.

You can also a few simple things to take care of your tabby after it receives treatment for chocolate toxicity.

• Feed your cat a bland diet for a few days after it receives treatment as per the vets advice.
• It is also necessary for the feline owners to take the necessary steps to ensure that your cat isnt able to get into chocolate again.
• Avoid feeding chocolates and chocolate by-products and make your cat adapt to certain safe cat foods.

Why Is Chocolate Poisonous To Pets

Chocolate is made with cocoa solids, which contain a substance called theobromine. Theobromine is harmless to humans, but toxic to dogs, cats and rabbits because they struggle to metabolise it .

As a general rule, the darker the chocolate, the more cocoa solids/theobromine it will contain, and the more toxic its likely to be. However, even chocolate with less cocoa solids can be toxic if enough of it is eaten. Although white chocolate doesnt contain any cocoa solids , it does contain a lot of fat and sugar, which can cause stomach upsets and in severe cases, pancreatitis. Cocoa powder is especially toxic because it contains an extremely high concentration of cocoa solids.

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Can Cats Eat Chocolate Or Anything Chocolate

Can cats eat chocolate? What about chocolate-flavored foods like ice cream? Is a little chocolate okay? There are many delicious foods that humans enjoy that can be poisonous to cats. In the realm of pet poisonings, you hear more about dogs and food toxicity because they comprise the majority of the cases. But there are several food-related poisonings that occur with our cat companions each year.

Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services take a closer look at the foods that are off limits to cats and answer the question, can my cat eat chocolate?