One of the most common seasonings found in kitchen pantries is vanilla. Vanilla has left an indelible mark on the culinary world, as a go-to favorite for desserts, perfumes, and dishes.
It’s safe and tasty for humans, but you might be concerned about its effect on cats.
Cats can safely consume vanilla, but the ethyl in pure vanilla oil can be fatal. Let’s take a closer look at how vigilantly we have to watch our kitties around vanilla and why.
Can Cats Eat Vanilla?
Vanilla is safe for cats to eat. Vanilla does not cause any known toxic reactions in felines.
To make sure your cat doesn’t have any negative reactions to vanilla, you should introduce it slowly and in small amounts at first, as with any new food item in your cat’s diet.
Vanillin, the compound responsible for the flavor of vanilla, may trigger an allergic reaction in some cats. Stop giving your cat vanilla if it starts acting strange after eating it and take it to the vet if it starts throwing up or having diarrhea.
There are no advantages to pairing vanilla and cats. However, the antioxidants found in vanilla are thought to improve health in general. The B vitamins found in this food are important for maintaining healthy cells.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the upsides and the potential downsides.
Is Vanilla Good for Cats?
The benefits of feeding your cat vanilla are limited to the general health benefits associated with eating foods containing vanilla, which we just covered.
Antioxidants can help prevent cell damage, and vanilla has plenty of them. Some chronic diseases, like heart disease and cancer, may be averted by taking antioxidants.
Vitamins B and E found in vanilla are also great for your cells. Vitamins B1 through B12 are essential in the production of new red blood cells and in the release of energy from food.
Calcium, magnesium, and manganese are just some of the beneficial minerals found in vanilla.
Bone health, muscle function, and metabolic rate are just some of the bodily processes that benefit greatly from the presence of these minerals.
However, cats don’t have a vanilla requirement, so these advantages aren’t crucial to their well-being.
Vanilla Extract Nutrition Facts
1 Tablespoon Equals:
| Calories: | 38 |
| Potassium: | 19 mg |
| Quantity of Total Carbohydrates: | 1.6 g |
Clearly, vanilla extract on its own does not add any nutritional value. It’s meant to be used in cooking, not eaten on its own.
Vanilla Oils
Essential oils, including vanilla, tend to be quite potent. The plant’s effectiveness is thus concentrated and packaged in ready-to-use bottles. Keep your cats away from any pure oil you have, as it is extremely toxic to them.
Vanilla Sprays & Perfumes
Perfumes and sprays containing vanilla could be more offensive than the flavor itself. Your cat’s digestive system and nervous system could be severely impacted by the toxins and chemicals they contain. However, most of these flavors will be unappealing to your cat, which will naturally discourage them from returning.
Vanilla Extract
The alcohol content of vanilla extract is very high, reaching up to 34% at its maximum. Drinking even a small amount of this can be fatal for your cat.
Do Cats Like Food With Vanilla in It?
Vanilla, on the other hand, is used as a flavoring, and neither humans nor animals particularly enjoy eating it on its own. It’s helpful, then, to think about whether or not your cat can tolerate (or even prefers) foods with vanilla in them.
Vanilla is probably not going to pique most cats’ interests. However, there are people out there who love anything vanilla flavored.
- Ice cream
- Cake
- Pudding
- Cookies
It’s best to introduce your cat to vanilla-flavored food gradually. Your cat’s weight gain and susceptibility to other health issues may be the result of a diet high in sugar.
It’s also important to think about whether or not any other ingredients in these products could be harmful to cats. For instance, depending on the specific variety or flavor, these foods may contain ingredients that are harmful to cats, such as raw eggs, raisins, or chocolate.
Possible Negative Reactions to Vanilla for Cats
As we discussed, some felines may have an allergy to vanillin, the flavoring agent in vanilla. Stop giving your cat vanilla if it starts acting strange after eating it and take it to the vet if it starts throwing up or having diarrhea.
Cats can have the following adverse reactions to vanilla and vanilla-based products.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- GI distress
- Antibody reaction
If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, it’s best to hold off on giving them vanilla until you can get it checked out by a vet. Given that cats don’t have any physiological need for vanilla, you might as well steer clear of the possibility altogether.
Keep Your Vanilla Out of Your Cat’s Reach
It’s not unusual to find holiday baking supplies strewn about the kitchen during this time of year. Our cats, however, are very inquisitive, and not everything in their environment is safe for them.
The vanilla extract you have in your pantry likely has up to 34% ethyl alcohol in it. A cat’s liver can’t handle this much alcohol. Vanilla essential oils, perfume, and cologne are also problematic.
However, as long as there are no other potentially toxic ingredients, your cat should be safe around vanilla-flavored baked goods and snacks. It’s best to play it safe and keep your cats away from any and all vanilla products. Vanilla provides no advantages to them.
Can Cats Eat Vanilla Extract?
The consumption of vanilla-flavored cat food has been covered in this article, but what about vanilla extract?
Vanilla beans are the source of both vanilla extract and vanilla flavor. Alcohol, found in vanilla extract, is toxic to cats. Your cat should never consume vanilla extract or anything else flavored with vanilla.
Among the many possible foods that contain vanilla extract are:
- Bakery products
- Pudding
- Ice cream
- Milkshakes
- Smoothies
Alcohol poisoning in cats can be fatal, so it’s crucial to get them to the vet as soon as possible if you suspect they’ve consumed alcoholic beverages.
In addition, cats should be kept away from vanilla beans because they present a choking hazard.
Symptoms of Alcohol Toxicity in Cats
Here are some signs of alcohol poisoning to look out for if they consumed vanilla extract:
- Ataxia
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Recumbency
- Tremors
- Hypothermia
- Disorientation
- Crying
- Hypotension
- Decreased ability to breathe
- Coma
- Seizures
- Death
Take your cat to the vet immediately if you notice any of these signs. The outcome is conditional on the type of substance ingested, the amount ingested, your cat’s age, and its general health.
Importance of Keeping Vanilla Away from Cats
Even though it’s unlikely, your cat could still suffer serious health consequences from ingesting too much vanilla extract. The more probable outcome is that your cat will smell it, maybe taste it, and then leave the area.
Your cat might occasionally give in. Make sure all seasonings, spices, and other kitchen staples are stored safely out of reach of children.
Vet bills can add up quickly if your cat gets into something sweet, which can be a hassle if you weren’t planning ahead.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Vanilla
What happens if your cat consumes vanilla depends on the type of vanilla it was. Depending on its concentration and quality, vanilla can have varying degrees of risk.
Baked Treats & Desserts
Cats are sensitive to many different kinds of additives. Therefore, vanilla may not be your primary concern. Inspect the item quickly for any extra ingredients if it was a baked good or dessert.
The amount of vanilla called for in most baked goods is extremely small, so even if everything else looks fine, your cat should be fine. Watch for signs of distress as your cat continues to process the meal.
Vanilla flavoring is often combined with other ingredients, some of which may be harmful.
- Nuts
- Chocolate
- Nutmeg, cinnamon, and other spices
Extracts, Oils, & Fragrance
It is imperative that you seek veterinary attention immediately if your cat has come into contact with any oil, fragrance, or extract. Your cat’s health is in serious danger from all of these plain items.
Cats Vanilla: Final Thoughts
So, to sum up, you should not use any vanilla-flavored ingredients. Vanilla’s mild flavor makes it a safe addition to many baked goods and sweets, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the ingredients just in case.
Don’t just assume that any old vanilla will do if your cat got into the vanilla extract. Don’t wait to take your cat to the vet if it starts showing negative side effects. They’ll need to be evaluated again by experts.
Related Questions
Here are some explanations for the most frequently asked questions regarding vanilla-loving felines.
Is vanilla harmful to cats?
Vanilla is safe for cats to ingest. Vanilla-flavored baked goods and desserts may also contain macadamia nuts, raisins, or salt, all of which are toxic to cats.
Vanilla extract is often called for when making certain desserts, and unfortunately, cats are extremely sensitive to the alcohol in vanilla extract. Make sure that vanilla flavoring, not vanilla extract, is what you’re giving them.
Also, some felines have allergies to vanilla, so proceed with caution if you plan to introduce it to your cat.
Is it okay to give my cat vanilla ice cream?
Vanilla ice cream, provided it does not contain any potentially toxic ingredients like chocolate, raisins, or macadamia nuts, is safe to give to your cat. Too much sugar is bad for cats, so only give them a little bit.
Ice cream is fine in moderation, but cats should follow the same guidelines as people.
Can cats taste vanilla?
Cats lack the ability to detect sweet flavors but can detect savory ones. It’s possible that some felines relish the flavor of vanilla, while others show little enthusiasm.
Start with a very small amount of vanilla extract to see if your cat likes it. If they appear to be enjoying it, you can increase their portion size the next time around.
Are cats allowed vanilla cake?
Vanilla cake is safe for cats to eat as long as it does not contain any potentially toxic ingredients like chocolate, raisins, or macadamia nuts.
Because of the high sugar content, vanilla ice cream should be given to them with caution as well. Sugar can be harmful to your cat if given in large quantities.
What can cats not eat?
Cats shouldn’t eat anything from this list of human foods:
- Chocolate
- Raisins
- Grapes
- For the Macadamia Nuts
- Onions
- Garlic
- Avocados
- Coffee
- Tea
- Alcohol
- Salted snacks
- Junk food
- Raw eggs
If you’re not sure if a certain food is safe for your cat, it’s best to play it safe and not feed it to them.
What is a cat’s favorite thing to eat?
Every cat has its own individual tastes. Nonetheless, the following are a few of the most well-liked human foods among cats:
- Chicken
- Seafood
- Turkey
- Beef
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Fry’d Eggs
- Buttery peanuts
Always ask your vet for advice when trying to find a cat food that your feline friend will enjoy. It goes without saying that you should observe your cat’s reactions to different stimuli.