If you’re enjoying a yummy chocolate bar and your cat is staring at you, you might wonder, “can cats eat chocolate?” The short answer is no. Chocolate is unsafe for cats to consume, and there are a few reasons why. Let’s talk about it.
Can Cats Have Chocolate?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Cats cannot have chocolate. It doesn’t matter how much or how little is given to them. Chocolate is toxic to cats. Not only can it make your kitty seriously ill, but if not treated right away, your cat could potentially die if they’ve eaten chocolate.
Chocolate Nutritional Facts
Chocolate contains some nutrients, but not a lot. Even for humans, chocolate is best eaten in moderation.
According to VeryWellFit, a 1.4-ounce sweet or dark chocolate bar contains the following:
| Nutrition | Amount in Grams |
|---|---|
| Calories | 216 |
| Carbohydrates | 24.7 grams |
| Fat | 13.6 grams |
| Fiber | 2.6 grams |
| Protein | 1.8 grams |
| Sodium | 8.2 milligrams |
| Sugar | 20 grams |
In addition, chocolate doesn’t contain a whole lot of vitamins and minerals. However, it may contain small bits of the following:
- Calcium
- Copper
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorous
- Vitamin B12
For humans, there are a lot of benefits to eating chocolate in small amounts. It can decrease cholesterol, boost your mood, increase brain power, improve heart health, and might even be able to help you lose some weight.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for cats. Also, there are so many different brands, varieties, and forms of chocolate that it’s hard to keep track of the nutrients and ingredients for them all.
In addition to the fat and sugar, chocolate also contains xylitol, a sugar substitute. None of these ingredients are healthy or safe for cats.
However, what harms the cats is the caffeine and theobromine in chocolate.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Feeding Cats Chocolate?
As we learned a moment ago, we now know what nutrients and ingredients are in chocolate. Two of these ingredients are incredibly toxic to cats. These ingredients are caffeine and theobromine.
Both caffeine and theobromine are stimulants. If consumed, they are highly toxic to your cat.
For instance, they can make your kitty extremely ill, depending on the amount they ingest. Your cat could die if they’re not cared for right away.
What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Cats Chocolate?
There are no benefits to feeding chocolate to cats. If your cat gets a crumb off the floor, they’ll be okay. However, if they get a square from a Hershey’s bar, then that tiny amount alone will be enough to make them sick.
Overall, it’s best to keep cats away from chocolate.
What Types Of Chocolate Can Your Cat Consume?
No type of chocolate is safe for cats to eat. For example, it doesn’t matter if it’s dark, milk, white, or semi-sweet chocolate. It’s all toxic for your kitten.
Baking chocolate is also not good for your cat to eat since it contains similar ingredients to the other types of chocolate.
Look at the chart below for a quick look at the types of chocolate.
| Type Of Chocolate | Safe For Your Cat? |
|---|---|
| Dark Chocolate | No |
| Semi-Sweet Chocolate | No |
| Milk Chocolate | No |
| White Chocolate | No |
| Cocoa Powder | No |
| Baking Chocolate | No |
As you can see, all types of chocolate are bad for cats. Luckily, most cats aren’t too interested in chocolate. So, you won’t have to worry about them begging. However, it’s still always best to be careful and keep the chocolate out of reach from them.
My Cat Ate Chocolate: What Should I Do?
If you suspect that your cat got into some chocolate – no matter what type it is – the best thing to do is monitor your pets.
Make sure they don’t get sick or show any symptoms of chocolate toxicity. If they do, then pet parents need to bring your kitty to the emergency vet immediately.
For instance, some symptoms to watch out for are as follows:
- Coma
- Diarrhea
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Hyperactivity
- Increased body temperature (fever)
- Increased heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Muscle tremors or trembling
- Nausea
- Rapid breathing or panting
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Vomiting
Depending on the amount of chocolate your cat ate, the symptoms won’t be as severe. Although, if your cat has other underlying medical conditions (such as diabetes), then even a tiny amount of chocolate can do a lot of damage.
Instead of waiting for symptoms, call your vet immediately. They may ask you to bring your cat in right away or ask you to keep a close eye on them. Always listen to what the veterinarian says and do what’s best for your kitty.
Question Corner: FAQs About Cats Eating Chocolate
If you have any more questions about whether cats can eat chocolate or not, then take a look at the frequently asked questions about it below.
How Many Chocolate Pieces Can Cats Eat?
The short answer is none. Chocolate adds nothing to your cat’s diet. If your cat eats a few crumbs from a chocolate bar or a lick of melted chocolate, they should be okay.
Can Cats Eat Chocolate Ice Cream?
No, chocolate ice cream isn’t safe for cats. Ice cream, even plain vanilla, is too much for cats to consume because it’s too much dairy. If you add chocolate into the mix, it’s more toxic to them than before.
What Chocolate Desserts Can Cats Eat?
None. Cats should not eat any dessert, especially if it contains chocolate. This includes chocolate chip cookies, brownies, cakes, pudding, or muffins.
Can Cats Eat Chocolate Milk?
Cats cannot drink chocolate milk. The chocolate is toxic and unsafe for them to consume. In addition, milk has too much dairy for them to drink. So, chocolate milk is a double whammy that will cause your feline friend to get sick.
What Should I Do If My Cat Ate Some Chocolate?
First, you should monitor your cat and make sure they don’t get sick or show symptoms of chocolate poisoning. Also, call your vet right away and ask for their opinion to see if you should bring your kitty to the vet or not. Alternatively, you can call the pet poison hotline if your vet is currently closed. They’ll be able to help you.
Should You Give Your Cat Chocolate?
So, can cats have chocolate? No. Not only is it toxic for them to consume, but there are few nutrients in it that would benefit a cat. So, it wouldn’t be worth it anyway. It’s best to keep this sweet treat to yourself and for your feline to stick to their cat food and cat treats.
Rachel Poli is a content writer and author, but her real job is being a stay-at-home pet mom. Her zoo currently consists of a dog, a cat, two turtles, and two fish tanks. She’s also an avid pet sitter for a few local families, caring for various animals.
After realizing how little information there is for pet sitters on the internet, Rachel decided to start her own animal website. She strives to educate pet parents and pet sitters about the overall care of our furry friends.