Cats are particularly enthusiastic about eating when they get to try something they don’t get very often. However, what should you do if your cat ate chocolate cake, despite the fact that most of us know that chocolate is bad for cats?
The best course of action is to rush your cat to the vet, as chocolate toxicity is a real risk for both cats and dogs.
Due to a chemical called Theobromine, as little as.2 ounces of chocolate can be extremely toxic for an 8-pound cat, necessitating veterinary intervention to remove the poison.
The dangers of chocolate, the most toxic varieties, whether or not making your cat vomit will help, and more will all be discussed in this article.
Let’s discuss the dangers of chocolate to cats and what you should do if your pet accidentally consumes cocoa.
Can Cats Eat Chocolate Cake?
Chocolate cake is not something a cat should eat. Cats shouldn’t eat chocolate cake because it contains chocolate, which is toxic to them. Even eating a small amount of chocolate can make a cat sick. Massive amounts of,
Is chocolate cake bad for cats?
Can Cats Have Chocolate Cake? In reality, chocolate cake is the cat’s meow. They’ll beg for a bite of your cake and then show their gratitude if you give it to them.
Too much chocolate cake, however, can make them irritable and even sick, so moderation is key.
Why is chocolate so bad for cats?
Chocolate contains a chemical called Theobromine that is highly toxic for cats and dogs, in addition to the fats, sugars, and caffeine already mentioned.
Because their bodies have trouble breaking down the chemical, the poison is constantly recycled within them, diluting at a glacial pace.
The symptoms of chocolate poisoning can appear within 6 to 12 hours and last for up to three days. The symptoms include increased thirst, vomiting, and diarrhea, but in severe cases, a coma and even death can result.
To safely remove the poison from your cat’s body, a vet should be consulted so that intravenous fluids can be administered to aid in cycling the poison out of the system, and other methods, such as charcoal, can be used to bind with the poison.
It’s possible that some of the chocolates you have at home are much more toxic to your cat than others.
Let’s take a look at these to get a sense of how dangerous chocolate toxicity can be for feline and canine companions.
What happens if a cat eats chocolate cake?
Chocolate cake is toxic to cats and can cause them to vomit, have diarrhea, and shake. Even a small amount of chocolate is toxic to cats and can cause these symptoms. Call your vet ASAP if you find out your cat has eaten chocolate cake.
How can you tell if your cat has eaten chocolate cake?
Seizures, tremors, and vomiting are just some of the symptoms you may see in a cat that has eaten chocolate cake.
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) right away if you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate.
Should I make my cat vomit if they ate chocolate?
If you are not a trained veterinarian, you should not induce vomiting in your cat. There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get enough chocolate out to be useful, and you might hurt your cat in the process.
The best course of action is to get them to the vet as soon as possible, but if that’s not possible, calling the ASPCA poison control line is the next best thing to do.
The ASPCA’s poison control hotline can be reached 24/7 at (888) 426-4435. In case of an emergency, please post this number on the fridge.
If your cat has accidentally eaten chocolate and you can’t get them to the vet right away, don’t worry; this hotline is staffed around the clock, every day of the year.
Even if you can’t get your cat in for veterinary assistance right away, they may be able to help.
What should you do if your cat eats chocolate cake?
In the event that your cat consumes chocolate cake, your first step should be to contact your local animal hospital. Cats should never consume chocolate due to the potential for fatal consequences. Talk to your vet to get their recommendation on how to proceed with caring for your cat.
If you need veterinary assistance but don’t have access to one, dial (888) 426-4435 to reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. You can get advice and tips on how to care for your cat from them.
How can you prevent your cat from eating chocolate cake?
If you don’t want your cat to eat chocolate cake, don’t give it to it or put it where it can’t get to it.
If your feline friend has a sweet tooth for chocolate cake, you might want to invest in a cat feeder with a motion detector.
Is there a safe type of chocolate for cats?
If you’re looking for an alternative that’s safe for your cat to eat, carob may be worth investigating.
You can make a safe “kitty birthday cake” or just a snack for your cat with this chocolate substitute, which does not contain Theobromine or caffeine and comes in powder form.
However, if you must snack, we advise more conventional options like dried fish or boiled chicken.
Cats aren’t built to eat large quantities of human food, so even “cat safe cakes” will only satisfy their appetites to a limited degree.
Cats lack the taste receptors necessary to detect sweetness, so they consume treats like candy only for the fats, proteins, and novel textures they provide. As obligate carnivores, they also lack the ability to derive the same nutritional benefits from plant foods that humans do.
Cats’ digestive systems are evolved to process meat, not vegetables, so cat cakes are, at best, an exotic treat for their human owners rather than their feline companions.
How much chocolate is dangerous?
When it comes to chocolate, baking chocolate is probably the worst option for pets. If an 8-pound cat ate 2 ounces of chocolate, it would be fatally toxic to them.
About half an ounce of dark or semisweet chocolate, or 1.14 ounces of milk chocolate, can be fatal to a cat.
Even though your cat will probably get sick from eating white chocolate, it is much less likely to be fatal. This is because, unlike traditional chocolate, no cacao is used in the production of this variety.
As you can see, even a small amount of chocolate can be extremely harmful to your cat. Fortunately, most cats will avoid it, but if yours has, acting quickly to get them to the vet could mean the difference between life and death.
What are some alternative foods for cats?
Cats can eat many different things besides just cat food. Prepared poultry and fish, as well as dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese, fall into this category. Cats can benefit from each of these alternatives, but it’s best to introduce them gradually.
Obligate carnivores like cats can only properly process and utilize proteins found in animal sources.
This, however, is not to say that felines shouldn’t eat vegetables. In fact, a variety of plant-based foods are suitable for cats and can supply them with the nutrients they need.
Cooked chicken, turkey, fish, cottage cheese, and yogurt are some of the best plant-based foods for cats. In moderation, felines can benefit from each of these alternative diets.
FAQs
Is cake toxic for cats?
Cats are not at risk from eating cake. Cake can be given to cats as a treat, but only in very small amounts.
However, cats shouldn’t make cake a regular part of their diet because it’s not nutrient-rich. Cats can experience weight gain and other health issues if they consume excessive amounts of cake.
Will a tiny bit of chocolate hurt my cat?
Your cat is safe to eat small amounts of chocolate. Cats are not poisoned by chocolate, and while they might not like the taste, eating a small amount will not harm them.
However, cats shouldn’t ingest chocolate because it contains caffeine and theobromine, which can be toxic in large doses. If you must treat your cat with chocolate, limit it to a nibble.
What happens if my cat eats chocolate cake?
Your cat might get sick, have diarrhea, and drink more water if it eats chocolate cake. Cats can safely eat chocolate cake, but it may make them sick to their stomachs.
Keep an eye out for any signs of distress in your cat after it has eaten chocolate cake, and get in touch with your vet if necessary.
How can you make a healthy chocolate cake for cats?
A few basic ingredients are all you need to bake a chocolate cake that’s safe for cats. All you need are some ripe bananas, unsweetened cocoa powder, and whole wheat flour.
First, you’ll need to combine the dry ingredients for the cake: flour, cocoa powder, and mashed bananas. Thicken the batter by adding a small amount of water.
Next, transfer the batter to a pan that has been prepared with butter and flour.
The cake needs to be cooked all the way through, so bake it at a low temperature. Before giving it to your cat, wait for it to cool down.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, chocolate cake is not safe for cats to eat. Cats are extremely sensitive to theobromine, which is found in chocolate.
If a cat eats chocolate cake, it could cause nausea, diarrhea, tremors, and even convulsions. It can be fatal in extreme cases. For this reason, feline companions should be denied access to chocolate cake.