Why is chocolate poisonous to cats

My Cat Ate Chocolate! What Should I Do? Why Is Chocolate Bad for Cats? Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning in Cats The severity of the symptoms that a cat may experience after eating chocolate will often depend on how much chocolate was ingested, and which type of chocolate was eaten.

Chocolate Poisoning Diagnosis and Treatment If you believe your cat has eaten chocolate, or you notice her exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above, then you should take her to the veterinarian immediately. About the Author Dr. Featured Specials. What Causes Canine Cough? General Learning Center. Professional Monographs. Drug Shortages and Alerts. FAQs for Veterinarians. Medication Information.

Published: June 01, What Makes Chocolate Toxic to Cats? Any of the following clinical signs would be concerning in a cat: Vomiting Diarrhea Decreased appetite Increased thirst Increased urination Increased heart rate Restlessness Panting or rapid breathing Muscle tremors Seizures Coma These symptoms can progress very quickly.

If left untreated, these changes can be fatal. Treatment of chocolate ingestion will vary from case to case but usually includes the following: Decontamination The first step is to get as much of the chocolate out of your cat's stomach as possible.

Supportive Care For cats showing clinical signs of toxicity, hospitalization is likely. How to Prevent Chocolate Toxicity in Cats As with any toxic substance, avoiding ingestion is always the best practice. Featured Image: iStock. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful?

Is a little chocolate okay? There are many delicious foods that humans enjoy that can be poisonous to cats. In the realm of pet poisonings, you hear more about dogs and food toxicity because they comprise the majority of the cases. But there are several food-related poisonings that occur with our cat companions each year. Your friends at Oakland Veterinary Referral Services take a closer look at the foods that are off limits to cats and answer the question, can my cat eat chocolate?

Most pet owners know that chocolate is toxic to dogs, but the same is true for cats.