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Can Cats Eat Chocolate

Chocolates are too delicious to resist, and there’s hardly any person who doesn’t like chocolate. Apart from its delicious taste, it is also good for our health. Protein, fibers, fat, carbs, and lots of other healthy things are loaded in chocolates that can work for the wellbeing of our body. That’s the best part of this delicious item. So, how about sharing a portion of this snack with your cat? Will that be ideal, or you are about to take the worst decision? Can cats eat chocolates? Let’s find out the real facts between the chocolates and cats!

Many dog breeds can consume up to 95% of chocolates, and due to that, they don’t face any problem. With this in mind, many pet owners, especially those who have dog and cat both, tend to feed some chocolates to their cat. But cats and dogs aren’t the same. They have a different digestive system. And providing anything unusual can trigger several health issues. It can even lead your cat to death. So, it is crucial to find out whether the food is safe or not for the cats. Okay, now let’s find out what will happen when your cat is ingested with chocolate.

Can Cats Eat Chocolate?

Honestly, chocolates are toxic for cats. It doesn’t matter what you do; just make sure to keep your cat away from the chocolates, or you have to face some unwanted situations that you haven’t seen before.

I agree that chocolates are delicious, and they don’t cause any harm to our body. But it is not necessary for what we can eat; our cat should also have to eat. The digestive system of the cats is completely different. Okay, now, let’s see what has made chocolate toxic for the cats?

Why Is Chocolate Toxic to the Cats?

Chocolates are made of several types of ingredients. Among them, theobromine and caffeine both are toxic to cats. If by any means, these are consumed by the cats, things can go wrong. As I have told you, cats do have a sensitive digestive system. Cat’s stomach works slowly when it comes to digesting the theobromine. In fact, it is slower than humans. Even a small amount of chocolate can cause a great problem for the cats. And can trigger several health concerns in them.

Caffein, they are not an exception to this. It affects the cats in the same way. When both of these ingredients enter the stomach of our cat, it causes a chemical reaction in their bowel.

Besides, chocolates are sweet, and sweetness can cause a diabetic issue in cats. And you know what the consequences of diabetics are.
Chocolate toxicity can cause several health issues, including death. You may not see any initial symptoms, but you have to prepare yourself to face the worst.

If your cat has been ingested the chocolate or stole a piece of chocolate from your bowl, you need to call your vet as soon as possible. Let’s have a look at some symptoms of chocolate toxicity.

Side Effects of Chocolate on Cats

  • Hyperactivity
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Increased thirst
  • Muscle rigidity
  • Restlessness
  • Tremors
  • Increased reflex response
  • Rapid breathing
  • Seizures
  • And lastly, death

Since cats can’t tolerate the chocolates, it is better to avoid them. Even if they consume a small amount of chocolate, some initial symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea will be visible to you. The next level of the symptoms is excessive thirst, tremors, restlessness, and other types of sensitivity. When chocolate is consumed at a larger amount without any treatment, it can lead your cat to seizures, rapid breathing, stiffness, and in the end, you can die too.

How Much Is Too Much for the Cats?

A little or more, any amount of chocolate is harmful to the cats. Chocolate is completely prohibited to cats, and all forms of chocolates are hazardous for them. Whether you buy the dry cocoa powder, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate, you shouldn’t feed any of them to your furry friend.

However, toxicity and health issues generally depend on two things. How much your cat has consumed and the current body condition. If you have got a healthy cat, a small amount of chocolate won’t be a problem. You can use a small quantity as an occasional treat for your cat.

But if she has any types of health issues, never even think about it. Even one small square of baking chocolate is quite harmful to a ten-pound cat. It can do the same harm as three wrapped chocolate drops can do. So, you must prevent your cat from eating the chocolates.

What to Do If My Cat Eats Chocolate?

Okay, now let’s think your cat has successfully stolen a piece of chocolate, and you failed. What happens next? Well, there is nothing to do now; you can’t take that out from their stomach. So, it is better to have a close look at her. If you allow your cat to roam outside, keep her for 24 hours and see if you notice any visible symptoms.

They are carnivores, and their hunting nature will find any way to go outside. So, make sure to keep your windows and doors closed. And watch if your cat can go out or not.

If your cat is caught in the act, take her to your vet without wasting any time. At this stage, vets will make your cat vomit out the chocolate and get your cat rid of the toxic items before they build up in your cats’ bowel. In some cases, your cat may naturally vomit out the chocolate, but don’t make them vomit by yourself. Remember, you are not an expert and attempting any vet works.

Try to determine how much chocolate your cat has consumed; the exact amount. It will help your vet to start treating your cat quickly. For this, it will be better if you take the package with you. The size of your cat and her weight will also help your vet to understand the risk level. So, make sure to tell this when you are talking with him on your phone.

Your pet will definitely perform a number of tests, and that will include a full physical checkup or a number of urine tests too. If the case is worse, they may also conduct an ECG. The treatment will start based on the reports like if the chocolates have affected your pet’s liver, then the vet will start treating your cat’s liver.

How to Prevent the Cats From Consuming Chocolates?

The consumption of chocolate is 100 percent prohibited for cats. Cats are curious in nature, and due to that, they may find interest in your chocolate. This will happen, especially when you are enjoying the chocolates in front of them. So, you have to control yourself first. If your cat seems to have a bite of your chocolate, you should stop eating the chocolates in front of them.

If you have found your cat attempt stealing the chocolates from your kitchen, you have to pay proper attention to the place you are storing the chocolates. Make sure to keep store the chocolates in a tightly sealed container. You should store everything in a safe place; think of all those things that contain chocolate. The donuts, cookies, candies, brownies all of them are unsafe for your cat. So, keep them away from your cat’s reach.

This unwanted situation can especially happen during certain occasions. At that time, we usually keep the chocolates here and there. Like the Halloween days, haven’t you kept the chocolates right in front of your door, where your cat can reach them easily.

You should think of your cat’s health and store the bowl out of your cat’s reach. It might be a bit difficult for you, but it will save your cat’s life. So, keep this in mind before putting the bowl near the door or on your table.

Alternatives to Chocolate

There are numerous alternatives to chocolate that are safe to use and won’t cause any harm to your cat. You should tend to use them. Instead of chocolate, feeding some berries to your cat will be ideal. They are rich in nutrients and has lots of nutritional facts. That’s why it will be ideal for feeding them if you are looking for a great snack. Some seedless watermelons are also included in this list.

Conclusion

The digestive system of cats prefers meat protein more than anything else. They can live on the meats happily without any problems. In fact, consuming anything else except for the meat can cause several health issues. So, it will be better if you stick with the meat only. Hopefully, the above discussion has helped you to understand the facts between cats and chocolate. So, from now on, if anyone asks Can cats eat chocolate, help them with the correct answer that you have learned from here. Be a wonderful pet parent and take care of your pet.

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