Chocolate cereal may be a tasty treat for some individuals.
However, some cats are lactose intolerant. If your favorite furry friend loves chocolate cereal,re’s nothing wrong with giving him a small bowlful every now and then.
However, keepchocolaty snacks away from your cat’s bedtime. So, can cats eat chocolate cereal?
Chocolate is toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and excessive drooling if ingested in large enough amounts.
However, cats that are lactose intolerant can tolerate small amounts of milk in their diet as long as it’s from a single source and does not contain artificial sweeteners or flavors.
Since cats can digest milk sugars better than humans can, small amounts of chocolate in a lactose free milk may not pose a problem for some felines.
However, it’s best to stick to cat-friendly treats for your kitty and avoid feeding her chocolate or artificial sweeteners like xylitol or sucralose whenever possible.
Can Cats Eat Chocolate Cereal?
No, chocolate is a human food item and is toxic to cats. Give any chocolate to a cat at your own risk! When incorporated into a cat’s diet in large enough quantities, chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Cocoa Butter is a fatty substance that is found in chocolate and can cause pancreatitis in cats if ingested in large enough quantities.
In addition, if the feline ingests chocolate containing theobromine, theobromine accumulates in the cat’s tissues and can lead to muscle tremors and seizures.
Artificial sweeteners are another human food item and contain chemicals that are highly toxic to cats.
Excess sweets may irritate your cat’s sensitive digestive system and may cause vomiting, diarrhea and increased thirst.
Can Cats Have Chocolate Cereal Milk?
No, cats cannot consume chocolate cereal milk because chocolate cereal is made with other ingredients such as oats and/or barley, and milk is not an ingredient.
Cereal milk is an artificial mixture of artificial flavorings and sweeteners such as sugar, salt, caramel or vanilla syrup and corn syrup.
In addition, if your cat consumes cereal milk containing xylitol or sucralose sweetener, he may suffer from hypoglycemia, a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin to process sugar in the blood.
Why Should Cats Never Eat Chocolate Cereal?
Cats need a variety of high-protein nutritional foods to remain healthy.
Some cat foods contain chocolate as an ingredient, but it’s best for cats to avoid these foods. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which are toxic to cats in large doses.
Theobromine is a stimulant that has a similar effect to caffeine in people but is far stronger in cats.
Cats can consume chocolate in small quantities but these treats are better off being reserved for special occasions or as a treat when a cat is accustomed to small amounts of chocolate.
Milk also contains lactose which can cause diarrhea in cats if it exceeds their dietary tolerances. So , the feline can enjoy chocolate but must never consume chocolate cereal on a regular basis.
How Do Chocolate Cereal Harm Your Pet’s Health?
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Consumption of chocolate by pets can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
The consumption of chocolate by pets can lead to vomiting and diarrhea in cats, says the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). Cats are lactose intolerant and can digest milk sugars better than humans can.
So, small amounts of chocolate in a lactose free milk may not pose a problem for some felines. However, it’s best to stick to cat-friendly treats for your kitty and avoid feeding her chocolate or artificial sweeteners like xylitol or sucralose whenever possible.
Your veterinarian may recommend giving your cat some bland treats to remedy diarrhea and vomiting or consider seeing a veterinary nutritionist to design a food plan for your cat if her health issues are severe.
Excessive Drooling
Excessive drooling can also follow after consuming chocolate by pets.
Chocolate is toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and excessive drooling if ingested in large enough amounts. However, cats that are lactose intolerant can tolerate small amounts of milk in their diet as long as it’s from a single source and does not contain artificial sweeteners or flavors.
Since cats can digest milk sugars better than humans can, small amounts of chocolate in a lactose free milk may not pose a problem for some felines.
However, it’s best to stick to cat-friendly treats for your kitty and avoid feeding her chocolate or artificial sweeteners like xylitol or sucralose whenever possible.
Irritability and Hyperactivity
Chocolate contains caffeine and this can cause irritability and hyperactivity in pets.Chocolate is toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and excessive drooling if ingested in large enough amounts.
When animals ingest large amounts of chocolate theobromine and caffeine can cause them to become hyperactive and irritable. This often occurs after a pet eats a Cadbury’s Easter Egg or a bar of chocolate containing high levels of caffeine theobromine.
Caffeinated products containing chocolate are also typically filled with artificial flavorings which may also contain theobromine or caffeine. It’s important to be aware of the ingredients of chocolate and nut products you feed your pet.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Chocolate contains methylxanthine and this substance can cause cardiac arrhythmia in pets.
Theobromine and caffeine are toxic to dogs if ingested in large enough amounts. Like humans, dogs can digest chocolate more easily than humans can.
Dogs can also metabolise the methylxanthines more quickly than humans can. Dogs are extremely sensitive to methylxanthines and can cause cardiac arrhythmia in pets if ingested in large enough amounts.
Theobromine and caffeine can also trigger diarrhea in dogs along with other symptoms like vomiting, muscle tremors and seizures when ingested in large enough amounts.
Hyperactivity
Consumption of chocolate by pets can also cause hyperactivity in pets and lead to gastrointestinal distress in cats.
Theobromine is a stimulant that has a similar effect to caffeine in people but is far stronger in cats. Excessive amounts of theobromine can cause vomiting and diarrhea as well as excessive drooling in pets.
Theobromine can also lead to gastrointestinal distress in cats and cause nervousness or hyperactivity in pets if ingested in large enough quantities.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Chocolate Pudding?
Conclusion
Your cat may love treats like chocolate cereal or cake.
However, these treats can be dangerous if given to your cat on a regular basis or in large amounts.
While occasional treats are fine, keep chocolate treats away from your cat’s bedtime if you must feed him something sweet before bed.
Try to stick to cat-friendly treats when possible. In addition, your cat should stay away from any foods containing caffeine theobromine or artificial sweeteners that contain xylitol or sucralose to avoid health problems or accidental poisoning with these foods.
