Is candy harmful to cats? What happens when a cat consumes sugar? You may have these thoughts about your feline friend’s eating habits.
If your kitten appears to be interested in sharing your treats, you’re correct to be careful and ask questions before introducing something new to your feline companion.
If you want to learn more about the effect of sweets and candy on your furry friend, keep reading.
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Is Candy Bad For Cats?
Even though sugar isn’t poisonous to cats, many other sweets and confectionery ingredients inside candy are. The following substances in candy may be hazardous to your kitty pet.
1. Xylitol and Other Artificial Sweeteners
Xylitol is often found in sugar-free gums and mints, but it can also be found in other sweets and beverages. In cats, this sweetener causes gastrointestinal discomfort, liver damage, a significant drop in blood sugar, and potential seizures and death.
2. Chocolate
Chocolate is hazardous to pets. As a general rule, the darker the chocolate, the more harmful it can be for cats. Chocolate consumption can result in gastrointestinal discomfort, tremors, seizures, and arrhythmias (heart rate abnormalities). If severe, it can potentially result in death.
3. Dairy-Based Candy
Cats are lactose intolerant, so while consuming dairy-based candy is unlikely to be fatal, it may induce an upset stomach, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Raisins And Grapes
These fruits, as well as their dried equivalents, have been linked to renal failure in pets.
5. Caffeine
Caffeine is harmful to cats and creates the same symptoms and hazards that chocolate ingestion does.
6. Choking Hazard
The dangers of combining cats and candy are not limited to toxicity. Your cat is more likely to be enticed by the bright, crinkly candy wrappers, rather than the candy, which might pose a choking threat.
If your cat manages to swallow a wrapper without choking on it, she may develop an intestinal obstruction. Paper sticks from lollipops and hard sweets can potentially pose a choking hazard.
To keep your kitten safe, keep all forms of candy closed up in a safe area where she can’t access it and properly dispose of all wrappers.
Also, check out can cats eat gummy bears
What Happens If A Cat Eats Candy?
Candy includes sugar, which, although not harmful to cats, is also not very beneficial for them.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they can only consume meat and not plants.
On the other hand, cats may consume modest quantities of carbs in their diet.
Carbs may have been obtained in the wild by eating plant material from their prey’s stomachs or chewing on fibers like grass (if you’ve ever planted cat grass, you know how much some cats enjoy it).
Cats have a difficult time digesting sugar which is included in table sugar and other modern sweeteners.
You may notice vomiting, diarrhea, and pain if your small feline eats candy with a high sugar level. Depending on how sensitive your cat is and what they ate, symptoms might range from mild to severe.
Sugar intake can also lead to weight gain, diabetes, tooth decay, and other health concerns in the long run. Therefore, it is best if your cat avoids eating candy.
Can Cats Eat Cotton Candy?
Cotton candy should not be eaten by cats. Sugary meals (any sort of dessert dish) should not be offered to them since the sugar will destroy their teeth.
It won’t kill the cat, though, if you give it a piece of cotton candy every now and again. However, feeding your cat sweet treats on a daily basis is not a good idea. It is alright as a once-in-a-while treat, but not more than that.
Can Cotton Candy Kill A Cat?
No, cotton candy cannot kill a cat. However, it is harmful to a cat’s health.
Even though sugar isn’t hazardous to cats in and of itself, many other sweets and confectionery components are. In cats, this sweetener causes stomach discomfort, liver damage, a sharp decrease in blood sugar, seizures, and even death.
You might also like to read about can cats eat sugar
Can Candy Kill Cats?
Chocolate, sweets, and gum are all delicious, but they are deadly to your cat. Theobromine and caffeine, which are components used in these products, are harmful to cats.
Some taste enhancers, as well as sugar-free sweets and chewing gum, can be deadly. The sweetener xylitol is to blame in those situations.
Curiosity may kill a cat if the animal eats poisonous food. Poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a racing heart, and even convulsions.
Because vets aren’t always sure how much of these banned foods would kill a cat, it’s better to stay away from them entirely. If you suspect poisoning, take your cat to the vet right away.
Can Cats Eat Nerds Candy?
Nerds candy should not be eaten by cats. The high sugar content is the major cause behind this. Sugar has been linked to digestive problems in cats.
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat animal protein to survive. They are ill-equipped to deal with meals that are high in sugar.
Nerds are delicious candy that resembles little pebbles. They come in a variety of tastes, such as orange and melon. They are a hit with both youngsters and adults. As it contains high salt and fat content, cats crave this particular candy.
Nerds candy is small in size, so your feline friend might tend to eat it in large quantities. It also contains corn syrup as an ingredient that might be detrimental to your cat’s health.
They’re meant to be eaten only once in a while, like other sweet delights, because they’re high in sugar. Because they are delicious and enticing, it is simple to consume too many. Therefore, you should keep a lookout for your furry friend consuming Nerds candy.
Can Cats Eat Candy Canes?
Candy canes are not harmful to cats, so you can rest easy. Some cats may lick or chew them out of curiosity, only to be disappointed when their tongues become chilly.
However, just because they’re not poisonous doesn’t imply they’re good for your furry friend. Most candy canes include high fructose corn syrup, which can cause digestive problems in cats, such as flatulence, cramps, and diarrhea.
Can Cats Eat Sour Candy?
No, your feline companion should not consume sour candy. Sour candy is flavored with food acids to make it sour. Sour candy has a lot of sugar in it, which isn’t good for cats.
Furthermore, some of them may contain xylitol, which is harmful to them. If you want to give your feline buddy some as a treat, you should seek healthier alternatives.
Of course, a slice or two every now and again should be fine. This product’s main drawback is that it includes too much sugar. This might be harmful to your cat as it might cause diarrhea and seizures.
Can Cats Eat Licorice Candy?
Both black and red licorice contains sugar, which is not good for cats. The flavor of black licorice comes from the licorice plant, which has a unique flavor that most cats dislike. If your cat eats a tidbit, though, it is unlikely to be a reason for concern.
Cat kibble, which is made to be a balanced and healthy meal for your furry companion, should be your cat’s major dietary source. If you do decide to offer your cat a human food treat, do it in moderation until you know how it will affect her.
If your cat eats anything that upsets its stomach or starts to exhibit indications of an allergic reaction (swelling, difficulty breathing, itchy red skin, hives), get veterinarian help at once.
What Do I Do If My Cat Ingests Candy?
If you suspect your cat ate some sweets or candy by accident, follow these steps:
- If feasible, figure out what she ate and how much she ate.
- Try to induce vomiting in order to empty her stomach.
- Call your veterinarian for advice on whether you should keep an eye on your cat for signs of illness, or take her in for treatment.
- If you can’t reach your veterinarian, contact the nearest emergency animal hospital.
If you have little children in the house, it’s a good idea to keep track of their candy intake (for a variety of reasons), so they don’t end up sharing their treats with the cat or leaving wrappers for her to play with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Sweet Things Can Cats Eat?
Vegetables aren’t liked by all cats, and fruits are much less popular (felines can’t detect sweet tastes). They are, however, an honest source of vitamins and are high in fiber and water, which aid digestion. Fresh cucumber or melon, steamed broccoli, or asparagus are all good options.
Why Can’t Cats Eat Sugar?  Â
Cats lack components in their stomach to digest sugars. Thus, they cannot eat sugar as it is harmful to their health. Too much sugar may potentially lead to their death,
Is Hard Candy Bad For Cats?
For cats, hard candy is a serious choking threat. When hard candy is combined with saliva, it becomes slippery and can be swallowed into the trachea (windpipe), posing a choking danger.
Final Words
We should definitely avoid the desire to share our brightly colored treats with our cats, even if we love to eat sweets to celebrate all of our favorite holidays. They don’t need the extra calories, and they certainly don’t need the added sugar.
Many varieties of candies are choking risks for cats, or contain chemicals that are deadly to them. Candy isn’t a good choice as a reward for your pet because it can’t taste the sweetness of sugar. Instead, give them cat snacks.
If you have any more queries regarding the food habits of your feline friend, let us know in the comment section below!
