Do cats get sick from eating candy? When a cat eats sugar, what happens to it? These are all reasonable questions to ask yourself about your cat’s diet.
You would be wise to be cautious and ask questions before introducing a new treat to your kitten, even if it seems interested in trying them.
Read on to find out what happens when you give your pet sugary treats.
Is Candy Bad For Cats?
While sugar itself isn’t harmful to felines, many of the other sweeteners and confections used in candies are. Candies containing these ingredients should be avoided if you have a cat.
1. Xylitol and Other Artificial Sweeteners
Gums, mints, and other sugar-free candies and drinks are common places to find xylitol. Seizures and death may result from a severe drop in blood sugar, liver damage, and other symptoms when this sweetener is given to cats.
2. Chocolate
Dogs and cats shouldn’t eat chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more of a risk it poses to cats. Consuming chocolate may cause stomach cramps, tremors, convulsions, and arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). If severe enough, it can be fatal.
3. Dairy-Based Candy
Cats are lactose intolerant, so eating candy made with dairy could make them sick to their stomachs and throw up.
4. Raisins And Grapes
Both the fresh and dried versions of these fruits can cause kidney failure in pets.
5. Caffeine
Caffeine is just as dangerous to cats as chocolate is, causing the same symptoms and risks.
6. Choking Hazard
There are risks beyond food poisoning when you mix cats and candy together. Instead of the candy, which could cause choking, your cat will likely be more interested in the bright, crinkly wrappers.
Your cat could get an intestinal obstruction if she swallows a wrapper and doesn’t choke on it. Hard candies and lollipops with paper sticks can be dangerous if swallowed.
Keep your kitten safe by disposing of candy wrappers and storing candy in an inaccessible location.
What Happens If A Cat Eats Candy?
Sugar is an ingredient in candy, and while it’s not toxic to cats, it’s also not great for them.
Cats can only survive on a diet of meat, as they are considered obligate carnivores and cannot digest plant matter.
However, it’s possible that cats’ diets include some carbohydrates.
Plant matter from their prey’s stomachs or fibers like grass (if you’ve ever planted cat grass, you know that some cats enjoy it) could have provided carbohydrates in the wild.
Table sugar and other modern sweeteners are difficult for cats to digest because they contain sugar.
If your tiny feline consumes sugary candy, you may notice stomach upset, diarrhea, and pain. Your cat’s reaction to whatever they ate could range from mild to severe, depending on how sensitive they are.
In addition to contributing to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay, sugar consumption is associated with a host of other negative health outcomes. For this reason, you should discourage your cat from eating sweets.
Can Cats Eat Cotton Candy?
Cats shouldn’t eat cotton candy. They shouldn’t be given sugary foods (including desserts) because it’s bad for their teeth.
However, if you give the cat a piece of cotton candy every once in a while, it won’t die. However, it is not a good idea to regularly treat your cat with sugary foods. It’s fine as a special treat once in a while, but not on a regular basis.
Can Cotton Candy Kill A Cat?
Cotton candy will not harm your cat in any way. However, it is unhealthy for a cat.
While sugar itself poses no threat to felines, many other ingredients in candies and sweets do. This sweetener is toxic to cats and can result in gastrointestinal distress, liver damage, a severe drop in blood sugar, seizures, and even death.
Can Candy Kill Cats?
Delicious as they may be to humans, chocolate, sweets, and gum can be fatal to cats. Caffeine and theobromine, two ingredients in these products, are toxic to cats.
Sugar-free candy and gum, as well as some flavor enhancers, can be fatal. In those instances, xylitol, a sugar substitute, is to blame.
If a cat eats something poisonous out of curiosity, it could be fatal. Symptoms of poisoning range from mild discomfort to fatal convulsions and heart palpitations.
It’s best to avoid these foods entirely because veterinarians can’t always say how much of them would be fatal to a cat. Take your cat to the vet immediately if you think it may have been poisoned.
Can Cats Eat Nerds Candy?
Cats shouldn’t eat Nerds candy. This is primarily due to the extremely high sugar content. Cats’ stomachs can have trouble digesting sugar.
Cats are classified as obligate carnivores, meaning they can only survive on a diet of animal protein. Meals high in sugar are difficult for them to digest.
Nerds are tasty candies that look like tiny pebbles. Orange and melon are just two of the flavors available. Everyone, from kids to adults, loves them. Cats go crazy for this treat because of the high levels of salt and fat it contains.
Given the small size of a Nerd, your cat may feel compelled to consume excessive amounts. It also has corn syrup, which is probably not good for your cat’s health.
Due to their high sugar content, they should be enjoyed on rare occasions. They are easy to overeat because of how tasty and appealing they are. As a result, keep an eye out in case Fido has been snacking on some Nerds.
Can Cats Eat Candy Canes?
You can rest assured that candy canes are safe for your cat to consume. Some cats may be curious enough to lick or chew on them, only to be let down when their tongues feel cold.
But don’t assume that they’re safe for your pet simply because they aren’t toxic. Cats can experience gastrointestinal distress from the high fructose corn syrup found in most candy canes.
Can Cats Eat Sour Candy?
Sour candies are not safe for your cat to eat. Acids found in food are used to impart a sour taste to sour candies. Sugar is bad for cats, and sour candies have a lot of it.
It’s also possible that some of them have xylitol, which is toxic to them. You should look for something more nutritious to treat your cat friend with.
Having a slice or two every once in a while is probably fine. The excessive amount of sugar in this product is its main drawback. Your cat could get sick from this and have convulsions or diarrhea.
Can Cats Eat Licorice Candy?
Sugar, found in both black and red licorice, is harmful to felines. The licorice plant, from which black licorice gets its flavor, has a strong aftertaste that many cats find repulsive. A little nibble from your cat probably isn’t cause for alarm.
Kibble is specially formulated to provide a complete and balanced diet for your feline friend. Treating your cat with human food should be done cautiously until you learn how she reacts to it.
Get your cat to the vet immediately if it eats something that makes it sick or shows signs of an allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty breathing, itchy red skin, hives).
What Do I Do If My Cat Ingests Candy?
Here’s what to do if you think your cat accidentally ate some candy or other sweets:
- Determine what and how much she ate, if at all possible.
- Make an effort to make her throw up so that she can get rid of her food.
- If you’re not sure whether to keep an eye out for symptoms in your cat or to bring her in for treatment, give your vet a call.
- Please contact your local emergency animal hospital if you are unable to reach your regular veterinarian.
Keeping tabs on how much candy the kids eat is important (for many reasons) so that they don’t give any to the cat or leave their wrappers around for her to play with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Sweet Things Can Cats Eat?
Not all felines enjoy eating vegetables, and even fewer choose to munch on fruit (because cats can’t taste sweetness). They are high in fiber and water, both of which aid digestion, and they are a reliable source of vitamins. You could have some steamed broccoli or asparagus, or some fresh cucumber or melon.
Why Can’t Cats Eat Sugar?
Sugar digestion enzymes aren’t present in a cat’s stomach. Thus, they are unable to consume sugar due to its negative effects on their health. If they consume too much sugar, they could die.
Is Hard Candy Bad For Cats?
Hard candies pose a significant choking risk to cats. Hard candies pose a choking hazard because they become slippery when combined with saliva and can be swallowed into the trachea (windpipe).
Final Words
No matter how much we enjoy indulging in sugary treats on special occasions, we should resist the temptation to give them to our cats. They don’t require the additional caloric intake or the surplus of sugar.
Cats should never be given candy, as many types can cause fatal choking or contain chemicals that are harmful to them. Your pet won’t enjoy the sugary taste of candy, so don’t use it as a reward. Instead, you should feed them cat food.
Leave a comment if you have any further questions about what to feed your feline companion.