Immediate Steps to Safely Treat a Cat That Has Ingested Chocolate

Help! My cat ate chocolate! Okay, take a deep breath and give your cat’s veterinarian a call. Your veterinarian is going to need to know a few things.

1. Did you see your cat eat chocolate?
2. If so, how much chocolate did your cat eat?
3. What kind of chocolate did your cat eat?
4. Your cat’s age, size and weight.

This information will help your vet to determine if a visit is required. If the vet tells you to bring your kitty in, do not procrastinate. Do so immediately.

Table of Contents

What to do If my cat ate chocolate?

Here is a check list.

1. Call your cat’s veterinarian immediately.
2. Keep your cat calm and cool. We do not want your cat active. The more active your cat is, the faster the effects of chocolate poisoning will escalate.
3. Take your cat to the vet with any amount of chocolate left over.
4. Don’t forget the chocolate wrappers/packaging. This is very important because it will help the vet to understand what kind of chocolate was consumed by your cat.

Once there, the vet may induce vomiting which will can relieve some of the dangerous side effects but further treatment will be necessary. Do not try to induce vomiting yourself unless the vet tells you it is necessary and this will only be done to save your cat until further treatment for chocolate poisoning can be conducted.

According to Dr. Evan Ware, Medical Director of University Animal Hospital, who wrote an article for Wedgewood Pharmacy, intravenous fluids may be administered to your cat to help dilute the toxic ingredients, hydrate your cat and aid in a more rapid metabolism.

Chocolate poisoning symptoms in cats

You may be wondering, what happens if my cat eats chocolate? Chocolate is loaded with theobromine and caffeine, both of which can be deadly for your cat. The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats depends on a few variables. Each cat may react differently towards chocolate, but it’s never good.

• What kind of chocolate your cat ate.
• How much chocolate your cat consumed.
• Age, size and weight of your cat.

Initial symptoms after your cat consumed chocolate are as follows:

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• hyperactivity
• restlessness and excited
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• lack of appetite

If it goes untreated, symptoms will worsen to the following:

• abdominal pain/tenderness in abdomen
• abnormal heartbeat
• low blood pressure
• fever
• increased reflex response
• lethargy
• muscle rigidity
• muscle tremors
• rapid heartbeat
• muscle twitching
• shaking
• seizure
• coma

If you didn’t actually witness your cat eating chocolate but still suspect it, watch him/her very carefully for the next 24 hours, and if they exhibit any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

How long before symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats?

According to PSDA and Symptoms may appear anywhere between 2 ~ 4 hours after consumption. However, you must watch your cat for chocolate poisoning for at least 24 hours. Therefore, it is always better to take your car to the vet if you believe it has consumed even the tiniest amount of chocolate.

Can cats eat chocolate cake?

No, no, no! Chocolate cake has caffeine and theobromine, which is quite toxic to cats. So, even though it may be their birthday, please refrain from baking them a chocolate cake. It may be their last birthday, and it will surely not be a fun one! In fact the darker the cake, the worst it may be for your cat. So, if your cat has eaten chocolate cake and experiences any of the following symptoms, you should not hesitate to take them to the vet immediately.

• Diarrhea
• Naseau
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Panting
• Rapid breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• High fever
• Muscles tremors or twitching

Quite frankly, I would recommend going to the vet anyway. Try to find out how much chocolate cake was eaten as well. Even though it may not be as toxic as baker’s chocolate, which can be the deadliest, it can still seriously hurt and be deadly for your cat.