In this brief discussion, we will answer the question “Can cats eat candy?” We will also talk about whether candy is good for cats and what to do if a cat consumes it.
Can cats eat candy?
No, cats cannot eat candy. Almost all living things enjoy candy’s delectably sweet flavour. As a result, you might wish to give your pet cat a piece of your candy. Even though you have the right intentions, you shouldn’t give your cat any candy.
Candy’s high sugar content, chemicals, and preservatives make it unhealthy for cats. Additionally, the majority of specialists agree that cats cannot even sense the flavour of sugar, therefore your cat won’t like the taste of candy either. Keep the sweets for yourself as a favour to both you and your cat.
Is candy good for cats?
No, it is not. Despite the fact that your cat is technically capable of eating candy, you shouldn’t give it to them. Candy is not only unhealthy for humans, but it is also unhealthy for cats. Candy is actually worse for cats’ health than it is for humans.
Since humans require both protein and carbohydrates to survive, sugar is not inherently harmful to us. In order to exist, humans actually require modest amounts of sugar. The same cannot be said about cats. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require a totally animal-based diet.
What ingredients in candy are bad for cats?
Although sugar alone is not dangerous to cats, several other substances in sweets and candies are extremely toxic! Given below is a list of harmful ingredients for cats:
- Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners: Xylitol can be found in a variety of foods and beverages, although it is most frequently used in sugar-free gum and mints. This sweetener can result in seizures and cat death in addition to upsetting the stomach and harming the liver and blood sugar levels.
- Chocolate: Pets should not consume chocolate. The hazard of chocolate increases with its colour. Consuming chocolate raises the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and upset stomach (heart rate abnormalities). If it’s bad enough, it might even be fatal.
- Grapes and raisins: Both the fresh and dried versions of these foods can result in renal failure in animals.
- Caffeine: The same symptoms and risks associated with eating chocolate are also present when caffeine is consumed by pets.
Does my cat like candy?
Actually, cats don’t prefer or dislike sweets. So we cannot answer this question with a yes or no. They can’t even taste “sweet” at all, in fact! Cats have 470 taste buds total. This is in contrast to 1,700 in dogs and 9,000 in people.
None of the few taste receptors that cats have in their mouths are set up to detect sweetness. Therefore, despite the fact that they appear happier when you open a sweet surprise for yourself, your cat does not have a sweet craving.
You might be wondering why your cat tries to sneak a taste of your sweet snacks or ice cream. Besides the pleasant flavour, your cat might be drawn to other things.
For instance, since cats prefer the flavour of fats and meats, your snack’s fat content, umami flavour, or amino acids may be more appealing to them than its sugar content.
Cats may also attempt to eat candy canes due to their minty scent (which is similar to catnip). Alternatively, they may mistake a lollipop for a toy. However, consuming sugar can still be harmful to your cat even if they aren’t looking for a sweet fix.
Candy: Can it kill cats?
Gum, candy, and chocolate are all delectable but harmful to your cat. These items’ ingredients, theobromine and caffeine, are poisonous to cats.
Some flavour enhancers, sugar-free treats, and chewing gum can all be fatal. In some cases, the sweetener xylitol is responsible.
A cat’s curiosity could end its life if it consumes hazardous food. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, a racing heart, and even convulsions are some of the signs of poisoning.
It’s best to steer clear of these forbidden items totally because veterinarians aren’t always sure how much of them will kill a cat. Immediately take your cat to the vet if you suspect poisoning.
How Should I Respond If My Cat Eats Candy?
The steps below should be taken if you believe your cat inadvertently ate some candy or sweets:
- Find out what she ate and how much, if it’s possible.
- Try to make her puke in order to get her stomach empty.
- For guidance on whether you should keep an eye out for symptoms of disease in your cat or bring her in for treatment, give your veterinarian a call.
- Contact the closest emergency veterinary clinic if you can’t reach your vet.
- For a variety of reasons, it’s a good idea to monitor small children’s candy consumption so they don’t end up sharing their treats with the cat or leaving wrappers for her to play with.
Conclusion
We answered the question “Can cats eat candy?” We also talked about whether candy is good for cats and what to do if a cat consumes it.
References
https://askmycats.com/can-cats-eat-candy/
https://bondvet.com/b/can-cats-eat-sweets-what-you-should-know-about-cats-and-sugary-treats
https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-nutrition/what-can-cats-eat/can-cats-eat-candy-corn
