Can cats have chocolate?

Question

My cat one day just started licking the chocolate bar i was holding. I didn't know what to do so after a few licks i took it away from her was that the right thing to do?

Answer 1

Hi Carly....an accidental lick probably won't affect the cat other than perhaps a little tummy ache and some minor diarrhoea. However, keep a vigil watch to be sure there are no changes. Generally, if you notice any changes it's too late as the poison has set in. Chocolate contains theobromine a component of chocolate, is the toxic compound in chocolate. (Caffeine is also present in chocolate, but in much smaller amounts than Theobromine.)
Theobromine's effect on the body:

Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant
Cardiovascular stimulant
Increase blood pressure (mild)
Nausea and vomiting

Some chocolates more toxic than others...unsweetened (baker's) chocolate contains 8-10 times the amount of Theobromine as milk chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate falls roughly in between the two for Theobromine content. White chocolate contains Theobromine, but in such small amounts that Theobromine poisoning is unlikely. Caffeine is present in chocolate, but less than Theobromine.

More on chocolate dangers to cats: http://www.pets.ca/pettips/tips-20.htm

Any vet can confirm these facts. If you suspect it's more than a lick contact your vet quickly as this is urgent. Again any vet can confirm this fact

Answer 2

Can Cats Have Chocolate

Answer 3

Chocolate contains the compound theobromine which is a diuretic
as well as a cardiac stimulant. This can cause the pet's heart rate
to increase or it may cause the heart to beat irregularly, both of
which can be dangerous to the animal. The level of theobromine present
in chocolate varies depending on the type of chocolate. For example,
dark chocolate contains higher levels than milk chocolate and so could
pose a greater risk to your pet.

There are many problems that can result from feeding a cat
chocolate. Chocolate is relatively high in calories so it can contribute to
the development of obesity in your cat. A cat can lose its
appetite for it's normal food if it eats chocolate. The largest problem is
though the fact that chocolate contains the chemical theobromine
as mentioned above. If this chemical builds up in the cats system,
it can be potentially lethal, and one reason for this is that cats
cannot clear theobromine from their bodies as quickly as people can.

Many cat owners would simply expect their pet to develop an upset
stomach after eating a large amount of chocolate but few realize
its lethal potential.

Further problems which can arise from chocolate poisoning are
Diuresis (increased urine production), diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting,
depression, and muscle tremors. These are signs which must be
recognized by any cat owner so that the cat is not fed too much
chocolate.

Answer 4

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/2bLWG

1) Yes, chocolate can be dangerous to cats. While studies haven't been performed on this exactly, it appears that the dangerous chemical theobromine (which is only present to any noteworthy degree in coco powder, not coco butter) is just as dangerous to cats as dogs. However, cats are at an advantage; very few cats will eat chocolate. The reason for this is quite interesting; humans can taste 5 basic sensations (Bitter, Salty, Sour, Sweet, and Savory), but cats have a very underdeveloped sense of one of those (Sweet). As such, cats tend not to like sweet things nearly as much as humans and dogs, tasting instead the other sensations more powerfully (in the case of chocolate, that would generally be bitterness). 2) Typical? No. But it isn't typical for humans to have asthma either. A large number of humans still have it, however (mostly in developed countries, possibily indicating that asthma is an autoimmune disease propogated by a too-sterile environment). 3) To get a fat cat to loose weight one needs to do two things. Decrease calories consumed and increase calories expended. The easiest step (for the human) is to control how much food your cat eats. Start feeding it twice a day so that you can easily monitor how much food the cat is getting. Then, weigh your cat daily and very slowly reduce the amount of food it gets until it is at a healthy and stable weight (don't decrease the food by too much too soon; take it slow so that your cat doesn't become malnourished). Additionally, there are special low calorie foods on can feed a cat to help in this regard. In order to increase activity, you will most likely need to play with the cat more. Getting another cat can help too.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can cats have chocolate?
My cat one day just started licking the chocolate bar i was holding. I didn't know what to do so after a few licks i took it away from her was that the right thing to do?

Answer 6

Yes take the candy away from the cat...if you realize it ate the whole or half the candy bar you will have to induce vomiting (this you can use as a reference in case you dont catch it in time and half the candy bar is gone)....which is stated in the pet first aid book...1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per every ten pounds of body weight. This is administered by using a dropper and placing the tip between the back teeth to make sure it is swalowed. Vomiting will occur within second of the fluid going down so be prepared. Re administer every 15 minuets until all contents are out...but no more than three times.

Answer 7

chocolate is bad for any animal, although im sure your cat only having a few licks will not do that much damage.

according to my vet (who is of pretty high standing in my state), cats can have at most, 20% non-cat food as their diet. In other words, he says that 80% of your cats diet should come from cat food alone, and the rest can come from any scraps or whatever you wish, although he stressed that food like chocolate or sugary foods should NEVER be given to a cat.

Answer 8

A few licks will not hurt her, but make sure its not a lot. Chocolate can in fact kill a dog or cat. Make sure she doesn't get a lot of it..

Chocolate related poisonings is one of the most common poisonings seen in veterinary clinics, especially around the holidays. The lethal ingredient, theobromine, is 10 times stronger in baking chocolate than it is in milk chocolate. Since the effects of chocolate poisoning are heart arrhythmias and may not be apparent right away, it is important you contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic right away.

Answer 9

Yes, you did the right thing. Chocolate in any quantity is toxic for cats. Don't worry right now as she probably didn't get enough to do any serious harm. The very bitter chocolate is the most toxic and people don't usually use that "straight". We like milk chocolate.

In future keep it out of her reach and her mouth!

Answer 10

My cat likes to eat whatever I'm eating, too - but chocolate is a major no-no, especially if it's dark. It can make an animal very sick and possibly lead to death if it isn't somehow expelled from the body. Your cat won't die from a few licks, but I'd advise you not to let her get into the habit of eating it, as it may make her sick.