Chocolate is every cat’s weakness. It is a very delicious candy that humans (which are food prefectors) eat, and it is also loved by cats. Unfortunately, chocolate contains a poisonous chemical called theobromine that can kill your cat in high enough doses. Because of this, chocolate contains around 100 gs of theobromine for every one kilogram of chocolate. The safe amount for a cat to eat varies depending on its weight. Learn how much chocolate will kill a cat.
If your cat has gotten into your chocolate stash, it’s important to know how much chocolate can kill a cat. The answer is not as much as you might think, and the effects of chocolate toxicity are often reversible.
Cats can develop acute renal failure from eating as little as 3 ounces of chocolate. In fact, when veterinarians talk about the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats, they often refer to the “3-ounce rule.” This means that if your cat weighs less than 3 pounds (1.5 kilograms), then only 3 ounces (85 grams) of chocolate will cause renal failure. If your pet weighs more than 3 pounds, then 10 ounces (285 grams) will cause acute renal failure and seizures.
The first sign of chocolate toxicity in cats is vomiting and diarrhea that starts within 12 to 24 hours after ingestion. Your cat may also have hyperactivity or hyperthermia (increased body temperature). Other symptoms include increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, tremors, seizures, and coma.
How much chocolate will kill a cat
The darker the chocolate, the more toxic.
Theobromine is the chemical in chocolate that causes it to be toxic. Theobromine levels vary depending on the type of chocolate, so darker chocolates will have higher concentrations. In general, milk chocolate contains a lower concentration of theobromine than dark chocolate. White and off-white chocolates contain even less than milk or dark varieties.
Chocolate toxicity is more severe in cats because they have no ability to metabolize theobromine like humans do; it passes through their system without being metabolized at all! As a result, even low concentrations can be deadly for kitties—and most cats are more likely to eat more than one piece of candy at a time anyway!
In addition to being poisonous for cats, dogs aren’t as vulnerable because they naturally metabolize caffeine better than humans do (though still not as well as cats). This means that while eating too much chocolate might make your dog sick or hyperactive in some cases (depending on his size), it won’t cause death unless you overfeed him or give him large quantities at once
Cats can only digest milk and white chocolate in small amounts.
Cats can only digest milk and white chocolate in small amounts. Chocolate contains theobromine, a toxic substance that is poisonous to cats. The primary source of theobromine in chocolate is the cocoa bean, where it occurs in varying proportions based on the type of chocolate. Milk and white chocolate contain lower levels of theobromine than dark or semi-sweet chocolates do; however, even small amounts may be enough to cause poisoning if your cat eats them regularly.
Although most cats will not eat chocolate on their own volition, some may find themselves tempted by its strong scent if it’s left out near them or if they are exposed to someone eating it nearby (such as while you’re watching TV together). If your cat does happen to ingest a significant amount of milk or white chocolate—or any kind of edible product containing cacao powder—it’s important that you take her immediately to an emergency veterinary clinic so she can receive treatment right away.
Chocolate products containing cocoa powder are more toxic to cats than milk or white chocolate products.
It is a common misconception that dark chocolate is the most dangerous for cats, but cocoa powder contains high levels of theobromine. Theobromine toxicity in cats can cause vomiting, diarrhea and heart palpitations. If your pet has ingested chocolate or products containing cocoa powder, contact your veterinarian immediately as treatment is necessary to prevent death.
Theobromine is a stimulant that works on nerves in the heart by increasing blood pressure and causing irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). It can also cause seizures among other symptoms such as hyperactivity and irritability. While most humans have no problem metabolizing theobromine into its harmless counterpart called caffeine before it can have any effects on them, cats lack an enzyme required for this conversion process so any amount consumed by felines will be toxic.
Chocolate products containing raisins, macadamia nuts and caffeine are extremely toxic to cats.
Chocolate products containing raisins, macadamia nuts and caffeine are extremely toxic to cats. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which is harmful to them in large doses. Theobromine is a stimulant similar to caffeine and can cause heart problems, seizures and even death in cats when ingested in large amounts.
While dogs may have evolved to digest chocolate better than cats have (this has been suggested based on their ability to eat chocolate without getting sick or dying), they are still susceptible to the effects of chocolate as well.
Toxic doses range from 20 to 100 mg of theobromine per kilogram of body weight in cats.
While theobromine is toxic to cats, the actual amount of chocolate that a cat can eat before it would become ill or even die varies widely. The amount of food that it takes to cause toxicity depends on many factors such as body weight and age, as well as how sensitive an individual cat may be.
The following chart shows some general guidelines for what constitutes a toxic dose of chocolate in cats:
- 20-100 mg/kg body weight for non-susceptible adult cats (e.g., if you have a 25 lb cat, 100 mg is only about 4 pieces)
- 50-200 mg/kg for small breed kittens (e.g., if you have a 5 lb kitten, 200 mg is about 10 pieces)
If a cat ingests chocolate, symptoms will usually appear within six to 12 hours.
If a cat ingests chocolate, symptoms will usually appear within six to 12 hours. The most common symptoms of chocolate poisoning include hyperactivity and muscle tremors, which may lead to vomiting or seizures. If your cat is showing these kinds of symptoms after eating chocolate, you should seek medical attention immediately for the best chance at recovery.
Signs that a cat has ingested enough chocolate to cause poisoning include hyperactivity, vomiting, tremors and seizures.
Signs that a cat has ingested enough chocolate to cause poisoning include hyperactivity, vomiting, tremors and seizures. If you suspect your cat has eaten too much chocolate, seek immediate medical attention from your veterinarian.
Fluid therapy is indicated for cats with chocolate poisoning if signs persist past 24 hours.
Fortunately, fluid therapy is indicated when a cat is dehydrated. It helps remove toxins from the kidneys and may prevent additional renal damage if it’s given soon enough after ingestion. In addition to being an important treatment for many types of poisoning, including chocolate poisoning, fluid therapy can be given subcutaneously or intravenously (by IV).
Activated charcoal is recommended for treatment of cats with chocolate poisoning if treatment is started within two hours of ingestion.
If your cat ate chocolate, you should call the ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 or check for the nearest emergency veterinary hospital. If possible, bring the wrapper and any remaining food to the hospital.
Activated charcoal is a treatment for poisoning in humans and animals. It works by binding to toxins in an animal’s gastrointestinal tract and preventing them from being absorbed into its body. For cats who have ingested chocolate within two hours of ingestion, activated charcoal has been shown to reduce their risk of developing toxicity and death; however, after this time period it is no longer recommended because it may bind to medications that could be used later on in treatment
Darker chocolate is more poisonous to cats
Darker chocolate is more poisonous to cats. Theobromine, the chemical in cocoa that causes cats to get sick, can vary in concentration between different types of chocolate. Darker varieties like bittersweet or semi-sweet have a higher percentage of theobromine than milk or white chocolate and are therefore more dangerous for your cat to eat.