Delicious but dangerous: Chocolatey facts every cat owner should know
Why is chocolate bad for cats? Most cat owners know that chocolate is a no-go, but what makes this sweet treat so unsafe for our cats? Chocolate contains two chemicals that are toxic to both cats and dogs: caffeine and a very similar but more dangerous substance known as theobromine. Most cats are too discriminating to eat chocolate, but if they do decide to sample some, the effects are quick—soon after eating chocolate, the toxic substances are quickly absorbed from the gut and affect the muscles, brain and heart.
How much chocolate is too much? The amount of caffeine and theobromine varies between chocolate products. Dark chocolate contains the most per ounce, so ingredients like cocoa powder and unsweetened baking chocolate tend to be the most toxic. Although milk chocolate has less caffeine and theobromine than darker chocolate products, it still isn’t safe for your cat, especially if ingested in large quantities.
What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning? The symptoms depend on the dose of these toxic compounds your cat gets—so in other words, they depend on how much and what type of chocolate your cat eats. Low doses cause vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, panting and increased thirst. As the dose increases, symptoms worsen to include racing heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, high body temperature, tremors and seizures. With serious toxic doses, coma and even death are possible.
My cat ate chocolate—what should I do? If your cat has eaten chocolate, don’t panic. If possible, figure out the type and amount of chocolate your cat ate, then contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) right away.
*Live Chat with a licensed veterinary professional is free for VCA clients through the myVCA mobile app, available at Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
