Cocoa butter has many different applications, including in cosmetics, hair care products, candies, and even some pharmaceuticals. Is it safe for cats to eat cocoa butter, which is perfectly fine for humans?
Is it okay to give cocoa butter to a cat? Because of the theobromine it contains, cocoa butter should not be given to cats. Cats are extremely sensitive to theobromine, an ingredient found in chocolate.
Is Cocoa Butter Safe for Cats?
In a nutshell, no, cocoa butter should not be fed to cats. The primary reason for this is that cocoa butter is toxic to cats due to the presence of theobromine.
In addition to cocoa beans, theobromine can be found in several other plants. Theobromine poses little danger to humans because it is metabolized rapidly.
Theobromine, on the other hand, is metabolized very slowly in felines and other animals. Which means it can accumulate to potentially lethal levels in their system and cause a wide range of adverse health effects.
What is cocoa butter?
Triglycerides, molecules that consist of three fatty acids, are what make up cocoa butter. Cocoa butter contains oleic acid, stearic acid, and palmitic acid as its fatty acids. Although it remains solid at room temperature, cocoa butter softens when exposed to the body’s heat.
Chocolate, cosmetics, and medicines are just a few of the many uses for cocoa butter. Cocoa butter is incredibly silky and creamy, and it has a subtle chocolate flavor.
There may be some health benefits from eating cocoa butter because it contains antioxidants. Evidence suggests that cocoa butter can increase skin’s elasticity and moisture.
Is cocoa powder toxic to cats?
It’s important to keep in mind that our feline friends, as much as we adore them, are not miniature humans.
Due to their different nutritional requirements, there are some foods that are perfectly fine for people but can be fatal for cats. Cocoa butter is one example of such a food.
The cocoa bean is the source of the fat known as cocoa butter. It’s a popular addition to toiletries and a flavoring agent in cooking.
It’s fine for people to eat, but cats shouldn’t. Caffeine and theobromine found in cocoa butter are to blame for its poisonous qualities. Cats exposed to these chemicals may experience nausea, diarrhea, and even death.
Take your cat to the vet immediately if you think it may have ingested cocoa butter.
Since cocoa butter toxicity has no known antidote, only supportive care can be offered. The veterinarian will likely administer fluids to keep your cat from becoming dehydrated and will keep an eye out for any other symptoms.
Most cats exposed to toxic levels of cocoa butter will recover fully. Cocoa butter is safe for humans, but even trace amounts can be toxic to cats, so it’s best to avoid giving it to your pet.
Toxic ingredients in cocoa butter and how they affect your cat
Theobromine
Theobromine is an alkaloid that occurs naturally in some plants, such as the cocoa bean. Tea leaves and cola nuts both contain it, though in lower concentrations. Theobromine has medicinal value as an energizer, diuretic, and cardiovascular tonic.
Theobromine is largely eliminated from the human body through metabolism and excretion. However, theobromine can accumulate to toxic levels in pets, especially cats, and cause a variety of clinical signs.
Absorption of theobromine is rapid, and it is primarily metabolized in the liver. In felines, its half-life is between 18 and 24 hours. Theobromine is eliminated primarily through the kidneys, though it is also passed in the feces.
In cats, theobromine toxicity manifests itself with gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiovascular symptoms.
Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are all symptoms of a problem in the digestive tract. Ataxia, tremors, and seizures are all neurological symptoms. Arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and a rapid heartbeat are all warning signs related to the cardiovascular system.
Clinical signs are dose- and cat-specific, with increasing severity with increasing theobromine intake. While some felines may only experience mild symptoms, others may develop severe, even fatal complications.
If you want to keep your cat from getting sick, you should never give them anything that contains theobromine. Chocolate, cocoa powder, tea, cola, and energy drinks all fall into this category. Seek emergency veterinary care if you think your cat may have ingested theobromine.
Caffeine
Cats are susceptible to caffeine toxicity, which can be fatal. Caffeine is harmful to cats for the same reasons it is to humans. However, depending on the manufacturing process, there may be trace amounts of caffeine in cocoa butter even though it naturally contains zero milligrams.
Caffeine poisoning can occur in cats after exposure to even trace amounts. Hyperactivity, agitation, restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, elevated heart rate, and tremors are all signs of caffeine toxicity in cats.
Get your cat to the vet right away if you notice any of these signs.
Accidental ingestion of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, or energy drinks, is a common cause of toxicity. Chocolate, which contains caffeine, can also bring on this condition. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your cat has consumed caffeine.
The severity of the symptoms will determine how to treat caffeine toxicity in cats. Rest and fluids may be all that’s needed to help a cat with mild symptoms recover at home.
If your cat’s symptoms are severe, however, they will require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous fluids and possibly other medications.
Caffeine toxicity can be fatal in cats, so prevention is key. Keep your cat away from any and all sources of caffeine.
Your cat should be taken to the vet immediately if you suspect it has consumed caffeine. Most cats recover completely from caffeine toxicity if treated quickly enough.
What May Happen If My Cat Eats Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter is toxic to cats and can cause them to throw up and have diarrhea if they eat too much of it. They might also have a rapid or irregular heartbeat, tremors, or seizures.
Take your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect it has consumed cocoa butter or anything else containing theobromine. They have a better chance of making a full recovery if they start treatment immediately.
Theobromine poisoning can be unpleasant, but it’s usually treatable if caught early enough.
However, the toxicity can sometimes cause kidney failure or cardiac arrest in cats.
Possible Vet Treatments for Cocoa Butter Poisoning
A cat that has eaten cocoa butter should be taken to the vet immediately, who will likely prescribe an antiemetic to induce vomiting. Any lingering theobromine will be flushed out of their system as a result of this.
Here I will describe the full gamut of veterinary interventions for cocoa butter poisoning:
1. A substance designed to induce vomiting will be administered to the cat. Any lingering theobromine will be flushed out of their system as a result of this.
In order to prevent dehydration and flush the theobromine from the cat’s system, we will be administering fluids intravenously.
In case the cat exhibits any symptoms of convulsions or irregular heartbeats, it will be closely observed. They may be prescribed medication to help them manage these symptoms.
If the cat has developed severe anemia as a result of the toxicity, a blood transfusion may be required.
5. After the cat has stabilized, it will be watched closely for the next 24 to 48 hours to make sure it makes a full recovery.
Cocoa butter poisoning in cats can be quite serious, as you can see. Most cats can make a full recovery with no lasting effects if treated quickly enough.
How Can I Prevent My Cat From Eating Cocoa Butter?
Here’s what I recommend if you don’t want your cat consuming any theobromine by eating cocoa butter or other products containing cocoa:
1. Keep Cocoa Butter Out of Reach
Cocoa butter is toxic to cats, so it’s best to keep it locked up where they can’t get to it. If you want to prevent them from gaining access to it, put it in a cabinet or on a high shelf.
Half of the cats in an ASPCA study that sampled chocolate eaters had gained access to the sweet treat by scaling furniture.
2. Keep Your Cat Indoors
Keeping your cat indoors is another effective method for preventing it from ingesting cocoa butter (or any other theobromine-containing product). This will lessen the likelihood that they will be exposed to such items.
3. Get Rid of Chocolate in Your Home
Remove any chocolate from your home immediately. Chocolate chips, chocolate bars, and even some dog biscuits (which frequently contain cocoa powder) fall into this category. Tossing it out or giving it to someone who doesn’t own a cat are both good options.
4. Get Professional Help
Get help from a vet if you can’t keep your cat away from cocoa butter or other products that contain theobromine.
A veterinarian or behaviorist may be necessary. They will be able to give you tailored guidance on how to proceed.
Other Foods and snacks that are toxic to your cat
Chocolate
It’s no secret that chocolate is a worldwide favorite. However, some people have allergies to chocolate even though it’s a popular treat. But chocolate is also poisonous to cats, which you might not have known.
Chocolate may be fine for humans, but cats shouldn’t eat it because of a compound called theobromine. Cats are extremely sensitive to theobromine, a stimulant and diuretic that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and even death.
Toxic effects of chocolate in cats can include gastrointestinal distress, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and even convulsions. Seek immediate veterinary attention if your cat consumes chocolate.
Raisins and Grapes
We wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to our feline friends, but obviously they shouldn’t eat certain things. Some examples include grapes and raisins.
Cats should avoid eating raisins and grapes because they are toxic and can make them sick. Raisins and grapes have been linked to kidney failure in some people.
Seek immediate veterinary attention if you think your cat has consumed grapes or raisins. Your cat’s prognosis improves the sooner you take it to the vet.
While we humans enjoy munching on raisins and grapes, our feline friends should not take the risk. Please don’t share them with your cat and savor them all to yourself.
Onion and Garlic
Both onions and garlic are staples in countless kitchens around the world.
They enhance the flavor of food and have many practical applications. However, there are some considerations to make when giving either of these foods to your cat.
The Allium family also includes chives, leeks, and shallots in addition to onions and garlic.
Toxic compounds found in these foods can lead to anemia in felines. Thiosulfates are the compounds in question, and they can cause anemia in cats by damaging their red blood cells.
Cats with anemia often appear listless and pale around the gums and have an elevated heart rate. Anemia can be fatal in its most extreme forms. Take your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect it has eaten onions or garlic. They may experience a sharp decrease in blood sugar levels due to the xylitol.
Weakness, fatigue, and even convulsions can result from this. Seek emergency veterinary attention if your cat consumes xylitol.
Human medication
Cats are naturally inquisitive animals, and this trait of theirs can get them in a lot of trouble.
Ingestion of human drugs presents a risk for cats. Many medications that are perfectly safe for human consumption can be deadly for cats.
Cats shouldn’t consume human drugs for several reasons. To begin, cat drug metabolism differs from human drug metabolism.
This means that a cat may be poisoned by a human-safe dose of the same medication. Second, even low doses of some human medications can be fatal for cats.
Last but not least, even if a medicine is safe for cats, administering too much of it could be fatal.
Seek immediate veterinary attention if you suspect your cat has ingested human medication. Your cat has a better chance of making a full recovery if you take it to the vet as soon as you notice any symptoms.
My Final Thoughts
Cocoa butter poses serious health risks to felines, as evidenced here. It’s toxic and shouldn’t be ingested because it can make you sick. Kidney failure and cardiac arrest have been linked to it.
Take your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect it has consumed cocoa butter.
Also, keep your cat indoors and out of the cocoa butter if you don’t want it ingested by accident.
Last but not least, I feel obligated to remind cat owners that theobromine-containing products, such as cocoa butter, should never be given to their feline family members.
There is no way to ensure the safety of these products for cats, so they should not be used. There are many healthy alternatives if you want to treat your cat. Don’t stray from those, and stay away from anything containing theobromine.