are cats allergic to chocolate like dogs are?

Answer 1

Hi Matt...chocolate actually is a toxin to cats which can be fatal. Here's an excerpt written by two vets about chocolate's effect on pet animals:

By:
Dr. Race Foster, DVM
Dr. Marty Smith, DVM
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

Chocolate toxicity is one of the most common 'poisonings' we see in veterinary clinics, especially during the busy holiday season (and Valentine's Day). We know to keep that chocolate box especially for guests or that gift box of chocolates out of Fluffy's or Fido's reach. But it is easy to overlook holiday baking with its more deadly chocolate forms – semisweet chips and baking chocolate.

Some cats tolerate chocolate better than others. Although the toxic dosage varies from animal to animal, everyone agrees that chocolate contains a lethal ingredient, a methylxanthine called theobromine, and that baking chocolate contains 10 times more of this lethal ingredient than milk chocolate.

Theobromine acts on four areas of your cat's body:

It increases the rate and force of contractions of the heart.
It acts as a diuretic, causing your pet to lose body fluids.
It affects the gastrointestinal system, causing vomiting and diarrhea and it may cause stomach ulcers.
It acts on the nervous system, causing convulsions, seizures and sometimes, death.
If you find that your cat has ingested some chocolate, call your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. They will probably ask you the size of your cat, the type and quantity of chocolate your cat has eaten, and how long ago it was eaten. Try to have these answers before you call. They then may tell you to make your cat vomit. This will depend on the amount of chocolate ingested and how long ago it was eaten. If your veterinarian or emergency clinic determine that your cat needs to come into the hospital, do not delay. The effects of chocolate toxicity may not be apparent right away, but do not let that lull you into a false sense of security.

Source: http://www.peteducation.com:80/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1276&articleid=242

More articles on chocolate dangers for cats:
http://www.petcaretips.net/cat-chocolate-poisoning.html
http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/nutritiondogs/a/chocolatetoxici.htm
http://www.petecology.com/Animal-Health-Management/2006/03/chocolate-and-cats-not-good.html

Answer 2

Allergic To Chocolate

Answer 3

Dear Jennifer, Cats and dogs alike are not allergic to chocolate it is that chocolate is TOXIC to them. So please make sure there is no chocolate where your wonderful friend can get into it. I hope this is of some help to you.

Answer 4

First off, dogs are not "allergic" to chocolate. For dogs, chocolate is a stimulant. Large doses can overwork the heart, sometimes resulting in death, especially in smaller dogs.
Back to your question, cats tolerate chocolate better than dogs, but it's best not to let them have any.

Answer 5

It is not an allergy, rather a toxin in chocolate that causes death and illness in all domestic animals. Simply put, keep it out of their reach. If you want to give your pet a treat, buy special pet treats or vanilla ice cream at the most. Try Frosty Paws doggie ice cream, my cats love it as much as my dogs!

Answer 6

I know that cats cannot taste sugar so they wouldn't be interested in chocolate.

Some scientists have long suspected that cats, which are strict carnivores, are "sweet blind." Now there's proof: Cats lack the receptor for sweetness.

Here is a list of foods that should never be fed to cat's and chocolate is on that list:

Onions, Garlic, & Related Root Vegetables

Onions contain a substance (N-propyl disulphide) which destroys red blood cells in the cat, causing a form of anemia called Heinz body anemia. Garlic contains a similar substance in a lesser amount.

Tomatoes, Green (raw Potatoes)

These foods are members of the Solanaceae family of plants, which includes the Deadly Nightshade, and contain a bitter, poisonous alkaloid called Glycoalkaloid Solanine, which can cause violent lower gastrointestinal symptoms. The Feline Future web site offers a rare description of a cat which was close to death from ingesting just one cherry tomato (See the link on the sidebar).

Chocolate

It's becoming more widely known that chocolate is very toxic to both cats and dogs. Theobromine is the offending substance here. Janet Tobiassen Crosby, D.V.M. has an excellent article on the symptoms, effects, and treatment of chocolate toxicity.

Grapes and Raisins

These foods' toxicity has mainly been found in dogs, in quantities of varying amounts. The ASPCA advises: "As there are still many unknowns with the toxic potential of grapes and raisins, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center advises not giving grapes or raisins to pets in any amount." That's good enough for me.

Milk

Although milk is not toxic to cats, it may have adverse effects. Simply put, adult cats fed a nutritious diet don't need milk, and many cats are lactose-intolerant, which means that the lactose in milk and milk products produces stomach upset, cramps, and gassiness. If your cat loves milk, and begs for it, a small amount of cream may be okay, two or three times a week. (The more fat in the milk, the less lactose.) Another compromise is CatSip, a product made from skim milk with an enzyme added that helps the digestion of lactose. Catsip is available in supermarkets such as Safeway, Albertson's and A&P, as well as pet products chains, such as PetSmart and Petco.

These are the most commonly seen "people foods" that are potentially harmful to cats. The bottom link is to feed your cat nutritious food developed with his needs in mind and choose treats designed for cats instead of table scraps.

Answer 7

Cats and dogs aren't actually allergic to chocolate, however, it contains a substance which acts as a stimulant, and neither animal can metabolize it effectively. It can cause seizures in the animals if too much is ingested.

Answer 8

chocolate is just as bad for cats as it is for dogs. They are not allergic to it, they are just unable to metabolize it the way that we can and it can kill them. It is really not wise to feed it to either.

Answer 9

Cats should not have chocolate. The best treat for a cat is a little snack of meat. Cats a carnivores.

Answer 10

Many human foods are not suitable for pets...so treats containing salts, sugars, chocolate and various other substances are bad for their health. Many cats are poisoned by chewing on various house plants and the old "Polly wants a cracker" is nonsense. Do yourself and your pets a favor...remember that they are carnivores...they are not omnivores and keep their diet to safe foods. Many pet foods do contain some grain and processed without salt (to reduce the cost) but watch for ash content and salt contents on all labelling. I don't keep housecats but I do keep larger cats, a clouded leopard, some leopard cats and a baby tiger...so I am very concerned about their diets.