Cats are natural friends.
They’re playful and adventurous, and they love nothing more than being part of a family. However, like many mammals, they’re sensitive to certain chemicals.
Wine, for example, is not a healthy beverage for cats. It can cause digestive issues, and it could even cause health hazards if your cat drinks too much.
So, can cats drink wine?
The topic of cats drinking wine might seem weird.
However, many cats like to drink wine. In fact, some cats get addicted to alcohol and become alcoholics.
One cat that liked to drink wine was Simon the cat. Simon drank wine so much that he became an alcoholic and died of liver disease.
Another cat that liked to drink wine was Little Red Cat.
Little red cat liked to drink wine so much that he became an alcoholic and died of liver disease.
Although cats like to drink wine, it is bad for them. Alcoholic cats often suffer from liver disease and other conditions.
Therefore, it’s important not to give alcohol to your cat.
Can Cats Drink Wine?
Cats are unable to digest alcohol because they lack the enzyme necessary to break it down into their components and water.
Not only are the principal constituents of conventional beer harmful to their digestive systems, but cats are incapable of metabolizing ethanol into water and carbon dioxide as is biologically necessary in humans and other mammals.
Grapes have been linked to digestive disturbance, kidney failure, and even death in dogs because of their chemical composition and the toxins contained in the skins of the grapes themselves .
Is It Okay For A Cat To Drink Wine?
No, it is not okay for a cat to drink any alcoholic beverage or eat grapes or any other foods containing sugar or grapes.
A cat’s liver and pancreas have to work harder to process the sugars found in alcoholic beverages than they would to process carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables.
They must, among other things, process the sugars found naturally in grapes into glucose which is converted into energy by the liver and carried to the cells throughout the body through the bloodstream.
Is Wine Toxic for Cats?
Because cats are considerably smaller than humans, they cannot tolerate much alcohol.
Furthermore, anecdotal data suggests that grapes, the major component in wines, are toxic to cats and may lead to kidney damage or even death.
Surprisingly, some cats and dogs can consume grapes without suffering any adverse effects.
This seems to be related to genetics and an individual’s ability to metabolize certain substances .
Why Can’t Cats Drink Wine?
Not only are the principal constituents of conventional beer harmful to their digestive systems, but cats are incapable of metabolizing ethanol into water and carbon dioxide as is biologically necessary in humans and other mammals.
Grapes have been linked to digestive disturbance, kidney failure, and even death in dogs because of their chemical composition and the toxins contained in the skins of the grapes themselves.
Your cat may sometimes like a grape or display an interest in a glass of wine at a dinner party, but he should not have it.
What Happens When Cats Drink Wine?
If your cat just drank a little amount of wine by accident or if he has been exposed to it while you were cooking dinner or having friends over, it is highly unlikely that he will become intoxicated.
Your cat may feel a bit less energetic than usual for a few hours afterward and may experience a slight stomach upset.
If your cat drank enough alcohol to get drunk, he may experience a drunk-like state such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation and incoordination.
What Should I Do If My Cat Drinks Wine?
If you believe your cat has drunk wine, take it to a veterinarian immediately to be examined and treated if necessary.
Ethanol poisoning in cats is caused by ingesting a substance that contains more ethanol than the cat can tolerate.
The gastrointestinal system quickly absorbs the alcohol and distributes it throughout the body where it interferes with bodily functions.
Waiting and watching or trying to diagnose ethanol poisoning on your own can be dangerous because symptoms may not appear until several hours after ingestion.
Can Cats Drink Red Wine?
Cats cannot consume red wine because they are unable to break down the compounds found in red grape skins to produce the necessary amounts of vitamin C needed to neutralize these toxins.
We recommend that you not give your cat any type of alcoholic beverage unless it has been specifically formulated for pets.
Also, make sure there is no residual alcohol in the glass after your guests have finished their glasses of wine because your pet may be attracted to the aroma and be tempted to drink it.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Ketchup?
Conclusion
Wine, as you may have learned, contains a lot of sugar and alcohol that can harm your pet if consumed in large quantities.
It won’t take much for a cat to become ill from drinking a small amount of wine – even if it’s just a few drops from a wine glass left on the dinner table or kitchen floor.
There’s really nothing to worry about if your cat just accidentally drinks a small amount of wine and becomes a bit lethargic afterward, but if it consumes a larger amount, seek veterinary care immediately.
Keep a watch out for indications of intoxication such as staggering, confusion, loss of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea and excessive thirst.
While wine is not the most lethal thing for cats to consume, it can still have a serious impact on their health and even cause death if not treated promptly.
However, owing to innovative goods such as cat wine glasses with narrow openings that prevent spills from occurring in the first place, there is no need to keep alcoholic beverages away from your feline friend anymore.
