Is chocolate poisonous to cats?
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.
Will chocolate kill my cat?
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.
How much chocolate is bad for cats?
Only a small 0.2 oz needs to be bitten off of a bar of baking chocolate for it to be dangerous to a cat. Slightly more needs to be eaten if it is semisweet or dark chocolate but it still only takes 0.5 oz for a cat to reach a toxic amount of these types of chocolates.
Is it dangerous for a cat to eat chocolate?
Chocolate is made from the roasted seeds of the cacao plant, and the caffeine and theobromine that it contains is especially toxic to cats. Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Cats The severity of the symptoms that a cat may experience after eating chocolate will often depend on how much chocolate was ingested, and which type of chocolate was eaten.
What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats?
There are also some symptoms that the cat’s owner may not be able to identify, such as low blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat. These symptoms may only be discoverable by a veterinarian.
Is it bad for my Cat to eat Hershey’s Kisses?
Your kitty will not have to have his stomach pumped for eating a few Hershey’s Kisses. However, eating too much (especially darker chocolate) can become a medical emergency. The darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. Baking chocolate is considered the worst and has the highest level of theobromine.
What foods should I avoid if I have a cat?
Methylxanthines are also found in caffeinated beverages and should be avoided. See your vet if your cat experiences any of these symptoms. As a general rule of thumb, darker chocolates are more dangerous than milk and white chocolate. Alcoholic beverages and foods that contain alcohol can be dangerous for your cat.
What can you give a cat that has ate chocolate?
One or two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide often makes a cat vomit up the contents of its stomach so if your cat recently ate some chocolate this can rid its body of it and any wrappers that may have also been consumed.
Can cats die if they eat chocolate?
Chocolate can cause problems for your cat’s heart and central nervous system such as a racing heart (heart arrhythmia). If your cat eats chocolate, she can become seriously ill or in severe cases die.
How much chocolate can a cat eat?
Milk chocolate has far less theobromine and caffeine in it than the more dangerous chocolate varieties so a cat has to eat just over 1.1 oz to reach a toxic level. This amount equates to about 8 Hershey Kiss milk chocolates.
What foods should you not feed your cat?
Foods that you should not feed your cat include: dog food, raw fish, raw eggs, large amounts of tuna or liver, chocolate, and any bones. You should avoid feeding your cat people food from your own meals.
