Can eating chocolate cause pregnant cats to lose their litters? Does it cause kittens to die in utero?
2006-12-07 12:02:35 · 12 answers · asked by Pancho 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes and NO, it depends on the type of chocolate and the amount. Milk chocolate has less of the enzyme that makes dogs and cats sick so it would take 9 ounces to make your cat loose her litter asuming she is between 15 and 20 pounds. Bakers chocolate and dark chocolate are the ones you have to worry about
"The toxic dose of Theobromine (and caffeine) for pets is 100-200mg/kg. (1 kiliogram = 2.2 pounds). However, various reports by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) have noted problems at doses much lower than this - i.e. 20mg/kg.
Translated to a "typical" scenario, and using the 20mg/kg as a measure of "problems can be seen at this level of ingestion", a 50 pound dog would have to consume 9 ounces (+/-) of milk chocolate to consume the 20mg/kg amount of Theobromine. Some dogs won't see problems at this rate. Some may.
This is a much more conservative toxic level calculation than the "standard" of 100-200mg/kg, but better safe than sorry. A dog sneaking a couple M&M's shouldn't have a problem, but it isn't a good habit to get into!
What are the signs of toxicity?
Signs are most commonly seen within 12 hours (or less) of chocolate ingestion.
Excitement / nervousness / trembling
Vomiting / diarrhea
Excessive thirst / sometimes excessive urination (at higher levels of Theobromine toxicity)
Muscle spasms
Seizures
Coma (rare
Death (rare) -- likely due to heart rhythm abnormalities.
How is chocolate toxicity treated?
If you suspect that your pet has eaten chocolate (more than the stray chocolate chip that fell on the floor), call your veterinarian for advice. The toxicity of Theobromine is dose dependent. This means that the size of your pet, the type of chocolate, and quantity of chocolate determine if or how toxic it is for your pet.
There is no specific antidote for Theobromine toxicity. Medical treatmentis supportive, and may include all or some of the following:
IV fluids - to prevent dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, and /or increased urination, and to "flush" the Theobromine out of the system.
Emetics - medications that induce vomiting. Used when the ingestion of chocolate is within 4 hours. Up to 6-8 hours post chocolate ingestion may be effective.
Activated charcoal - for ingestion greater than 4 hours prior to treatment, or for patients that show continued signs of toxicity.
Anti-seizure medications - for patients having seizures and/or muscle tremors.
Cardiac medications - for patients exhibiting irregular heart rates or rhythms."
2006-12-07 12:06:15 · answer #1 · answered by wlndslnger 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Theobromine is a chemical in Chocolate that can kill a small animal if eaten. They can't break it down quickly enough and it becomes Toxic and can cause Liver and heart problems!
My large German Shepherd was very ill after eating a small bar of Dark Chocolate. As with Humans some animals are less intolerant of chemicals/drugs so the safest course is not to take chances. Chocolate also contains caffeine which animals cant handle and even humans are advised not to have too much when pregnant!
I wouldn't give any to a Cat especially a pregnant one!
I dont know whether it would pass through the placenta to kittens but think it probably would.
2006-12-07 20:27:03 · answer #2 · answered by willowGSD 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
caffiene intake during pregnancy is never good, even in humans. Chocolate naturally contains caffiene.
caffiene speeds up the blood flow making it harder for nutrients to be absorbed through the placenta, on top of the fact that caffiene is lightly toxic to cats and other animals. it is not as toxic as people believe it to be though.
i doubt it would cause a cat to lose her whole litter, but it is possible that it could cause one or more kittens to die in utero.
2006-12-07 20:07:57 · answer #3 · answered by Fluffington Cuddlebutts 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Like dogs, it is well known that chocolate is toxic to cats too because it is a type of caffeine and has an enzyme neither animal can digest. If the cat ate chocolate not just the litter would die, the mother would die too. So never give the cat chocolate! If she ate any take her to the vet asap.
2006-12-07 20:05:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
chocolate contains theobromine which is toxic to all animals apart from humans. Yes it could cause he to lose her kittens and it could cause her to have a heart attack too.
2006-12-08 05:07:48 · answer #5 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Choclate isnt good for cats, I was just at the vets and she said that it can have the same effect of cats as it can on dogs
2006-12-07 23:15:25 · answer #6 · answered by PLM 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dont feed cats or dogs human chocolate. There is a chemical in it that is bad for them and can be fatal!
2006-12-07 20:04:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
YES!!!!!!IT CAN ALSO KILL THE CAT!!!! it takes about a bar of chocolate to do so!!
2006-12-07 20:22:40 · answer #8 · answered by melissa c 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah, very bad for cats and other animals !
visit this site, it has very comprehensive info:
http://www.petcaretips.net/cat-chocolate-poisoning.html
2006-12-07 20:06:08 · answer #9 · answered by Splishy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes, of course it does. Your assumption is entirely based on logic.
2006-12-07 20:05:43 · answer #10 · answered by ben b 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋