Chocolate is delicious, but it can be dangerous to our cats. Theobromine, a plant alkaloid, is one of the main toxic ingredients in chocolate. It causes heart palpitations and vomiting. It also acts as a diuretic. In extreme cases, theobromine can cause heart attacks in dogs and cats.
Theobromine is a natural substance in cacao, the plant which produces chocolate. It is present in all forms of chocolate. It is more concentrated in darker chocolate. If a cat eats dark or semisweet chocolate, it is more likely to have a reaction. It is less common for cats to have a reaction to white chocolate.
If a cat eats too much chocolate, it can suffer a number of symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. If a cat has these symptoms, it is imperative that it is inspected by a veterinarian. The sooner a cat is treated, the more likely that it will recover.
The severity of a cat’s reaction to chocolate depends on the amount of chocolate ingested, as well as the size and weight of the cat. The smaller the cat, the less likely it will be to have a serious reaction to chocolate. However, it can be fatal to a cat who ingests a large amount of chocolate.
If a cat has ingested a large amount of chocolate, it is important to keep the cat indoors. It is best to monitor it for 24 hours. If it shows signs of toxicity, the cat should be taken to an animal emergency hospital. The animal hospital will examine the cat to determine the type of chocolate the cat has ingested and the appropriate treatment. If it is determined that the cat needs treatment, the cat will be provided with fluids and medication to treat any symptoms it is experiencing.
If your cat ingests chocolate, the first thing you should do is remove the chocolate from its stomach. This can be done by removing plastic wrap and tin foil. This will help the cat to vomit. If the cat vomits, the toxins will not be absorbed. If the chocolate is still in the cat’s stomach, it can be removed with hydrogen peroxide. This method is not recommended for cats because it can be difficult to administer with syringes.
Regardless of the type of chocolate your cat ingests, the most important step is to call your veterinarian. If your cat is showing clinical signs, your veterinarian will induce vomiting. If the symptoms are mild, the cat will probably vomit naturally. If the symptoms are severe, the veterinarian will prescribe medications to control the symptoms.
If your cat ingests any chocolate, call the animal poison control hotline. The animal poison control hotline will tell you if your cat requires immediate treatment. If the symptoms of chocolate toxicity are severe, your cat should be brought to an animal emergency hospital immediately.
A small amount of chocolate can have a number of adverse effects on a cat, such as hyperactivity, restlessness and tremors. If your cat has eaten a significant amount of chocolate, it may also experience seizures. These types of symptoms can appear in a matter of minutes and can continue to worsen. A severe reaction to chocolate can be fatal, so it is essential that your cat receives proper care if it is experiencing these symptoms.
