"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and it's only a small piece."
Just because certain foods, such as chocolate, are enjoyed by us humans and are perfectly safe for us, it does not mean they are suitable for cats. Chocolate contains chemicals which rarely cause problems for humans, but for cats and other domestic pets, these chemicals can, in rare cases, be deadly.
One problem is that cats in general find chocolate very tasty and so, it is important not to feed it to them, otherwise they will eat what you give them up to the point where it poisons them.
Chocolate contains the compound theobromine which is a diuretic as well as a cardiac stimulant. This can cause the pet's heart rate to increase or it may cause the heart to beat irregularly, both of which can be dangerous to the animal. The level of theobromine present in chocolate varies depending on the type of chocolate. For example, dark chocolate contains higher levels than milk chocolate and so could pose a greater risk to your pet.
There are many problems that can result from feeding a cat chocolate. Chocolate is relatively high in calories so it can contribute to the development of obesity in your cat. A cat can lose its appetite for it's normal food if it eats chocolate. The largest problem is though the fact that chocolate contains the chemical theobromine as mentioned above. If this chemical builds up in the cats system, it can be potentially lethal, and one reason for this is that cats cannot clear theobromine from their bodies as quickly as people can.
Many cat owners would simply expect their pet to develop an upset stomach after eating a large amount of chocolate but few realize its lethal potential.
Further problems which can arise from chocolate poisoning are Diuresis (increased urine production), diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, depression, and muscle tremors. These are signs which must be recognized by any cat owner so that the cat is not fed too much chocolate.
Treatment for chocolate poisoning in its advanced stage can be very unpleasant for both the cat andthe owner of the cat, so it is much better to be safe and to cut down chocolate consumption of your cat to a minimum. If you do have worries that your cat has consumed large quantities of human chocolate it would be wise to consult your vet - pronto. Spotting the symptoms early on can be very beneficial and can give the cat a much better chance of surviving any poisoning which may have occurred.
If you wish to feed your cat chocolate, there are alternate "chocolate" treats for cats which are produced by some pet food manufacturers. They will either use a vegetable substitute made to taste and look like chocolate, or they will take out the theobromine, or use greatly reduced, safe levels in the chocolate treats they produce. While a very small amount of chocolate may not be harmful to some cats, it is always safest to avoid giving any to them at all.
About The Author
If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and live link to http://www.best-cat-art.com. Cat art posters, art prints, cat calendars and cat collectibles. Great cat gifts for yourself or your cat loving friends. http://www.best-cat-art.com
reliable maid service Highland Park ..A pet can be as important a member of the... Read More
Scottish Terriers are short-legged dogs, at a height of ten... Read More
The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According... Read More
Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That's... Read More
The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit... Read More
Canine Parvovirus, is a viral disease that attacks dogs and... Read More
Our Charlie's dog health was a very important issue to... Read More
Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him... Read More
Vitamins for Pets - How Essential Are They?A vitamin supplement... Read More
Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More
The most important things in dog training are consistency, keeping... Read More
Once other animals such as cattle, sheep and goats became... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
A new puppy is a joyous addition to any home.... Read More
Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want,... Read More
Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts,... Read More
Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might... Read More
German Shepherds were among the first dogs trained for police... Read More
Would you put together a model plane without looking at... Read More
Dogs have been known as man's best friend for decades.... Read More
Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and... Read More
If you have ever tried to take a picture of... Read More
Domesticated cats have been gaining in popularity in the United... Read More
house cleaning company Lincolnshire ..As much as you love the sound of your new... Read More
Dog bite injuries are alarmingly the most common condition that... Read More
1) Why should I crate train my dog? ... Read More
When you get a new puppy it is imperative that... Read More
Man's Best Friend is a great companion around the home,... Read More
Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to... Read More
"You've created your own monster, you know", my mother said... Read More
The benefits of feeding live food to fish in a... Read More
Choosing a dog is a fun adventure. The search for... Read More
Bringing home a new puppy, ushers in a wave of... Read More
Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet... Read More
Buy or Adopt - That is the question.If you intend... Read More
Puppy CarePuppy care can be a lot of work, but... Read More
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you... Read More
Did you know that arthritis affects one in five dogs... Read More
What's the best food for your Goldfish?Goldfish need food that... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More
Tired of cleaning the cat box? Here are some tips... Read More
When goldfish swim up to the glass of the tank,... Read More
Puppy TrainingPuppy training can be a trying time. The key... Read More
1. Using tranquilizers.This is illegal in many states but other... Read More
With all the companionship and love that our dogs give... Read More
Have you ever dreamed of living with a bobcat or... Read More
One of the benefits of registering your pet with a... Read More
Pet |