Can cats eat chocolate?
Chocolate is an irresistible sweet snack for us humans. While your kitty occasionally has its eye on foods like a →piece of cheese, a bite of →banana, or even a →boiled egg, you might wonder if chocolate would be a tasty treat.
We have to disappoint you: Just like with dogs, chocolate is also toxic to cats. Beyond a stomach upset, even the smallest bite can have serious health consequences and can even lead to death. Although cats naturally tend to avoid sweets due to lack of taste receptors for sugary foods, in case of an emergency, you should be equipped with the following information.
Instead of treats meant for us humans, you should prefer species-appropriate and high-quality snacks as part of a →healthy cat diet. Why not try this:
Leckere Katzen-Snacks fürs Training oder zwischendurch
Warning, life-threatening: Why is chocolate toxic to cats?
Chocolate with cocoa content contains the toxic substance Theobromine, which is toxic to cats and dogs. While this is normally absorbed by our gastrointestinal tract, our furry friends can only break down the alkaloid Theobromine very slowly in their bodies. The result is poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, unconsciousness, breathing problems, and in the worst case, organ failure leading to death.
It is important to note: Potentially, any food that is enriched with cocoa is toxic to your cat. The darker the chocolate, the more cocoa and Theobromine it contains, making especially dark chocolate dangerous for your cat. In addition to chocolate, →other foods can be toxic to cats and →dogs.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Theobromin ist für Katzen giftig und kann zu Zittern, Erbrechen, Bewusstlosigkeit und zum Tod führen.
My cat ate chocolate and is vomiting. What now?
Depending on the amount of chocolate and Theobromine consumed, toxic effects may occur. If your cat is vomiting, the substance has already been absorbed by the body. Typically, poisoning symptoms appear after about two to four hours. Depending on the amount consumed and the severity of the chocolate poisoning, there is a life-threatening situation for your cat within 12 to 36 hours.
If your cat has eaten chocolate and you notice the first symptoms, seek immediate veterinary advice. Animal clinics have an emergency service available around the clock, and in cases of poisoning, every minute counts.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Hat deine Katze Schokolade gefressen, solltest du umgehend tierärztlichen Rat aufsuchen.
How much chocolate is toxic to a cat?
Depending on the amount consumed and your cat's weight, the symptoms of poisoning can range from mild stomach rumbling to organ failure. The exact value that leads to poisoning is not yet clarified. Estimates suggest that poisoning begins at about 200 mg of Theobromine per body weight. The levels of Theobromine vary greatly depending on the type of chocolate.
