Many cats prefer specific types of foods. For example, some owners say that their pets willingly enjoy desserts. Owners often indulge their four-legged friends with such dishes, without thinking about what harm the health of their pets. The article tells about whether chocolate is possible for cats, what consequences arise after eating it.
Why do many animals prefer such a dessert?
It is known that usually these furry predators eat meat, poultry and fish fillets. Today, some owners feed them special products that can be purchased at pet stores, but additionally give them a taste of dishes prepared for people. The answers to the question of what cats love are different for owners. After all, animals often give preference to atypical at first glance products. For example, desserts containing cocoa bean powder. These are chocolate bars and candy bars, cookies.
This fact seems unbelievable. After all, cats do not have receptors responsible for the sensations of a sweet taste. However, other substances that make up desserts (proteins, amino acids, vegetable lipids) attract pets. Can cats be chocolate? Many owners are interested in this issue. It should be noted that the introduction of such a product in the diet of animals must be treated very carefully.
The effect of dessert on the body of pets
Experts say that this sweet does not bring any benefits to the cat’s health. However, some owners believe that sometimes you can treat your pet to such a meal. Is dessert really safe? Veterinarians warn that they often encounter cases of intoxication, which occurs due to the substances contained in the product.
These are caffeine and theobromine. Speaking about whether chocolate is possible for cats, one should take into account the possible consequences of eating sweets. These include:
- Loss of large amounts of fluid.
- Violations of the functions of the central nervous system.
- Increased heart rate.
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: frequent and loose stools, bouts of vomiting.
- Stomach ulcer.
- Convulsive attacks.
Dark grades of dessert, which contain a large amount of theobromine, are especially dangerous. In the case when a pound of animal weight accounts for about 20 mg of the substance, its condition is greatly worsened. This information is an explanation of why cats aren’t allowed to eat chocolate in large quantities. However, if you correctly calculate the dose of goodies and choose the appropriate variety, you can avoid dangerous consequences.
Important Tips
In order not to damage the health of the animal, you must adhere to these rules:
- Treat the cat only with white or milk tiles. The use of dark chocolate with a high content of cocoa powder is strictly prohibited.
- Accurately calculate safe dosage. To do this, you need to know the body weight of the pet. A pound of animal weight should account for less than 20 mg of dessert.
- Do not spoil the cat with such a treat too often. The fact is that in a cat's body such a product is digested for a long time. Having treated your pet with a piece of sweets, you need to take a break for several days or weeks.
- Veterinarians recommend dividing the safe dose into several portions and feed the pet gradually.
- Provide the animal with sufficient clean water. The liquid neutralizes the harmful effects of dessert.
So, the answer to the question of whether chocolate is possible for cats is ambiguous.
It all depends on the frequency of use of the product, its variety and quantity.
Signs of intoxication
Not all owners adhere to such rules. Veterinarians claim that they often encounter intoxication, which happens after eating chocolate. Cat poisoning associated with the use of this dessert most often occurs on holidays, when the owners have a large number of sweets on the table. How is the pathology manifested? It is possible to diagnose intoxication in the presence of such signs:
- Lethargy or increased anxiety.
- A strong feeling of thirst.
- Attacks of convulsions.
- Vomiting.
- Frequent urination.
- Loose stool.
- Heart rhythm disturbances.
- Muscle tremors.
- Frequent breathing.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Coma.
Only a specialist can diagnose and treat the disease. Therefore, if the owner suspected that the pet was poisoned with chocolate, he should show the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. You should tell the doctor how much dessert the cat ate. Sometimes the doctor advises to alleviate the condition of the beast by washing the stomach. For this, water mixed with crushed activated carbon is used.
Of course, all owners know that cats living in their house love. However, before treating your pet with a treat, you need to find out if this food is as safe as it seems at first glance. Particular attention should be paid to the health of pregnant and lactating animals. The organism of elderly animals and cubs is also sensitive.
The answer to the question of whether chocolate is possible for cats is very mixed. It all depends on the amount of dessert, the frequency of its use and the characteristics of the pet.