Can chocolate harm cats?
Yes. Aside from the tooth decay and obesity problems that chocolate poses for all species, there is a serious risk here. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine, which acts as both a diuretic and a cardiac stimulant. It may not do much to humans, but it has a much stronger effect on dogs and cats. It will speed up their heart rate, with possibly fatal results in the case of larger amounts. Other symptoms of chocolate poisoning include diarrhea, excessive urination, muscle tremors, and vomiting. The problem is that cats and dogs like the taste of chocolate and will try to eat it– so it’s the pet owner’s job to keep them away from it. If your cat accidentally had a small taste of chocolate sometime in the past and seemed to come out of it okay, it isn’t the end of the world. One lick of ice cream won’t hurt it, but an ounce of chocolate is definitely toxic to a 10-pound cat, and enough to cause the above symptoms. Don’t ever feed chocolate to a cat! Other substances that are ha
