It’s safe to say that few people do not know the dangers of chocolate and dogs, but what about cats? Can cats have sweets or treats? Rest assured, your sweet kitty cannot even taste sweet things because cats do not have the sweet taste receptor that’s needed to taste sugar. Cats are carnivores, and though they may like to taste-test your food, chances are that they do not want it. Read on to discover what, if any, treats your furry pal can have and which to avoid altogether.
Which Sweets Can Cats Safely Eat?
Chocolate is a big no-no for most animals. It contains caffeine and theobromine, which can be fatal to felines in large quantities. What makes it dangerous is that these two toxins are stimulants and can make your cat very ill if consumed. While dark chocolate may have health benefits for humans, it is the opposite for cats.
If a cat consumes chocolate, the side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, problems walking, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, and increased thirst. It can take 12 hours before the full effects of the chocolate are seen. If your cat has ingested any chocolate, it’s best to get to the vet as soon as possible. Let’s look at other sweets!
Honey
Honey has so many positive effects on humans that it is easy to believe the sweet treat suits cats. There isn’t much data on the health benefits of raw honey on cats. Still, it does help with inflammation and allergies, boosts our immune systems with antioxidants, and is also said to be antibacterial. This may not be the case with cats. Honey is filled with fructose and glucose, which cats can’t taste and don’t need. However, occasionally, a small amount of honey will likely not hurt anything.
Cake
You’ve invited your cat to your birthday party and now want to know if your little purrball can have a piece of your birthday cake or one of those beautiful cupcakes. The answer if the cake has any chocolate on it is a definite “no.” If it doesn’t, your cat can sample a tiny piece. Don’t make a habit of feeding your cat any sweets because they cannot taste and do not need sugar in their diets. Cake for us and our cats is junk food and contains no nutritional perks for your cat. Cats are said to only be drawn to sweets because of their high-fat content. They, being carnivores, typically only eat meat and cannot break down sweets. It can cause stomach upset because of all the sugar.
Ice Cream
It isn’t easy telling your adorable cat “no” when eating something delicious. Truly, they are just curious about what you are eating. They naturally think it must be something for them, but when the treat you’re eating is ice cream, it’s best to offer the kitty an actual cat treat. Ice cream will not kill your cat, but it won’t end well either. Almost all cats are naturally lactose intolerant, so allowing them to have even a tiny bit of your ice cream can result in serious stomach upset. Ice cream is made of sugar and milk or cream. Chocolate and any version of chocolate ice cream is a big no-no for your cat.
Pudding
Pudding is another favorite after-dinner treat for humans, but how does it rate for cats? Rice pudding is not at all safe and should be avoided. Cooked rice is okay for cats, and the ingredients can usually be found in their cat food. However, the pudding’s sugar, butter, and milk will cause severe gastrointestinal problems. Sometimes, rice pudding contains raisins, which can kill your cat if ingested. Chocolate pudding is an obvious “no.” Sadly, vanilla pudding isn’t much better since it contains butter, milk, and sugar, but a tiny taste occasionally will not cause serious side effects. If your cat has sampled chocolate or rice pudding with raisins, get them to the vet quickly. There is little that you can offer as first aid from home. If a trip to the vet is warranted, always take what your pet has eaten along to show the vet.
Cookies
Cookies come in all shapes and sizes and are made with various ingredients. The truth is that cookies aren’t exactly suitable for anyone, but they can cause upset stomachs in cats. If the cookies contain chocolate, they are extra bad news for cats and dogs. Like all of the other delicious snacks in this article, cookies are packed full of sugar and carbohydrates with very little protein. It’s safe to say that your cat will not benefit from eating cookies, at least not the kind humans make. It could result in a hefty vet bill unless you carry pet insurance.
How Do Cats Feel About Homemade Cat Treats?
It won’t be easy explaining to your cat why they cannot have some of your ice cream cones, but we assure you it is in your and your cat’s best interest. Aside from being an occasional and extremely tiny treat, steer clear of all sweets and treats and instead make your cat some of their safe cookies. The internet can guide you in creating an assortment of cookies and other treats that are nutritionally wonderful and healthy for your feline. Some cats just aren’t into crunchy dry biscuits. It’s essential to experiment with different cat-friendly flavors until you find one your cat can’t live without. Even though these cookies can be healthy for cats, they are not for frequent consumption. Stick to meat for your tiny carnivore; you can’t go wrong.
