You know the moment you decide to go on a diet is when you’ve eaten too many donuts. The reason for this is that donuts are high in sugar. And the surplus of sugar in these treats can be detrimental to your cat’s health.

Ingredients present in donuts

Donuts aren’t the best choice for food when it comes to people, let alone cats. The ingredients found in these sweet goods can be a potential health hazard. Humans are known to develop health issues by eating junk food like this.

Apart from the main ingredients, donuts also contain natural and artificial flavorings. Moreover, this fried dough that comes in various shapes is injected with various sweet fillings.

1. Dough

Donuts are made out of leavened fried dough. The dough is safe for cats in moderation, but not raw, of course. However, leavened dough can be a problem for your pet. Eating dough could make your cat bloated and leave her with constipation issues. 

2. Oil

Fried dough is full of oil that your cat can’t digest. Oil could make your feline suffer from stomachache and result in vomiting or diarrhea. If you’re making something that includes oil, coconut, or olive oil is probably the best option. 

The consumption of olive oil in cats isn’t considered to be toxic. A few tablespoons of olive oil weekly, won’t hurt your furkid. But given the fact that donuts are fried in oil, the amount is probably too much for your cat.

3. Eggs

Eggs are oftentimes one of the main ingredients while making dough. Although eggs are rich in protein which is a need for cats, raw eggs can’t be a part of their diet. Raw eggs can carry bacteria, such as salmonella or E.coli.

Even though raw ones are off-limits, properly boiled eggs are a valued treat in your feline’s diet. Full of proteins, boiled eggs are beneficial to your cat’s health. The occasional boiled egg would be a perfect treat for your kitten.

4. Milk

Cats drinking milk is a common misconception, although they are adorable with their whiskers soaked in milk. The reason behind this is that most felines are in fact lactose intolerant.

This means they are unable to break down the sugar contained in milk. Because their intestines lack the enzymes needed for lactose digestion, cats can face some problems. The inability of milk digestion usually causes diarrhea.

If offering your cat this dairy product, try opting for the lactose-free version. It will be easier on your furbaby’s stomach and won’t cause her as much discomfort.

5. Sugar

Humans use sugar every day. Some more, some less, but it’s still an important ingredient in the kitchen. Some can’t drink their coffee without it, and some will pass on certain foods that lack sugar.

However, this isn’t the case with cats. Your cat may be tempted to give it a lick or two, but just because she saw you do it. Cats are sweet-blind. This term indicates their lack of taste buds and inability to taste sweetness.

While this may make you sad, don’t be. It’s a good thing felines aren’t attracted to sweets. Not having a sweet tooth like humans can save them from lots of troubles. Excess and regular intake of sugar can lead to health problems.

Don’t inspire your feline to eat sugar, whatsoever. The side effects can come in terms of obesity, diabetes, or dental problems. Felines’ lack of receptors is doing them a favor. In this case, less is more.

Can cats eat donut fillings?

No one likes dry, flavorless donuts, right? Donuts are so much better with fillings, I’m sure we can all agree on that. But what about cats, can they eat donuts with fillings?

There are many fillings, but the most common ones are fruit preserves, custard, or cream. Fruit preserves are preparations of fruit and are rich in sugar. Marmalades, jams, and jellies are the most common sweet fruit preserves found in donuts.

Once more, the high sugar content is an unfortunate case for cats. When it comes to custard, cats should avoid it. Custard is dairy-based, as is sweetened milk and cheese. 

The name gives the cream fillings away. The cream skimmed from the top of the milk is a higher-fat layer. Similar to this is sour and whipped cream. Regardless, cats and dairy products don’t go well together, as previously explained.

What about donut toppings?

Fried dough and filling sometimes just aren’t enough. What really makes these sweets special are their toppings. These sweets may be topped with cinnamon, sprinkles, powdered sugar, or glazed with chocolate and sugar icing.

1. Cinnamon

This strong fragrance might be appealing to our nose, but to cats’, not so much. In large quantities, cinnamon can be poisonous to felines because of the coumarin, an ingredient found in cinnamon.

It’s often used as a cat deterrent because of its strong smell. Cinnamon poisoning can occur from ingestion, inhalation, or skin exposure.

2. Sprinkles

Sprinkles serve as colorful decorations for many desserts, including donuts. This topping is widely known and most popular among children. Have you ever wished to throw a birthday party for your furkid and add some sprinkles for a better look?

Pass on those. The reason your pet’s cake should be left undecorated by these tiny candies is the sugar quantity. While she won’t drop dead from one or two of these colorful candies, don’t let her enjoy them frequently.

3. Powdered sugar and sugar icing

The name itself screams no. A few licks of powdered sugar and sugar icing probably won’t harm your cat. However, it’s best if your feline skips on them. Some arising issues of abundant and regular intake of sugar include diabetes, tooth decay, and obesity.

Excess thirst and urination in cats can be the first signs of diabetes. If you notice any signs of diabetes, make sure to take a quick trip to your vet. Tooth decay and other dental problems are also possible if your pet has everyday access to sugar.

Chubby floofs might be a cute sight, but the health risks are enormous. Heart diseases and joint problems become a painful reality when cats put on extra pounds. And sugar can be the main factor for these issues.

4. Chocolate and maple glazing

Unfortunately for cats, chocolate is poisonous. The compound theobromine is what makes chocolate inedible for cats. It’s possible that chocolate doesn’t attract your fluff because of her lack of taste buds.

Keep this in mind the next time you open up a box of chocolate or prepare chocolate glazing for donuts. Keep your donuts on the highest shelf of the pantry, because cats can’t eat those. Too much sugar combined with fillings and chocolate is definitely not a good choice of treats for your feline.

When it comes to maple glazing, this sweetener isn’t toxic for cats, but it isn’t suitable for their diet either. Lots of carbohydrates contained in maple syrup won’t benefit your feline. Moreover, it can be damaging to their well-being.

A few bites aren’t life-threatening, but cats can’t eat donuts with icing or topping because it could cause intestinal problems.

Can cats eat Krispy Kreme donuts?

The short answer to this question is no. Cats can’t eat Krispy Kreme donuts because sugar icing is used on the majority of them. Donuts contain a lot of sugar themselves and topped with some more powdered or glazed sugar is just too much.

Cats are simple creatures, even if sometimes it doesn’t seem so. What isn’t natural for them won’t suit them. It’s as simple as that. One of the reasons cats can’t eat donuts is carbohydrates.

Felines need animal protein to keep them healthy and satisfied. Carbohydrates don’t play an important role in their diet. They don’t hold any beneficial health to your pet whatsoever. Carbohydrates such as sugar will give your cat’s metabolism and digestive system a hard time.

So, in addition to having no nutritional value, sugar can only have a bad impact on your kitty.

What about raisin donuts?

Raisin donuts are a hard no for cats. While the combination of these two can bring joy to your taste buds, they’re highly poisonous to your feline. Just one raisin can cause kidney failure in cats.

Can cats eat Munchkins donuts?

The name is sweet and the taste even sweeter. The most famous shape of donuts is the ring shape with a hole in the middle, and that’s how they invented Munchkins – by using the excess dough from the middle to make this recognizable shape!

Munchkins donuts are bite-sized delicacies, suitable for both children and adults. However, Munchkins aren’t suitable for cats because of their overabundance of sugar. Another reason cats can’t eat Munchkins is the flavors. Among many, the flavors include chocolate, which is toxic to cats, and glazed, which could lead to various health issues.

Can cats eat candy?

Candy may be a treat for humans, but cats should avoid them. Candies have too much concentrated sugar, which can negatively impact their metabolism and digestive system. Lots of artificial flavors could leave your cat with health conditions and rotten teeth.

Xylitol, a common sweetener found in products such as gum and sweets, can cause vomiting, lethargy, and liver failure in pets.

If she grabs a hold of a piece of candy, there’s no need for instant panic. But for the sake of her health and your sanity, keep candy sealed tight in a jar and away from your pet(s).

What can happen if cats eat donuts?

A few bites of a tasty donut or a lick of the icing won’t send your kitty to the ER. Nonetheless, you should keep these delicacies out of your fluff’s reach.

Cats can’t eat donuts because of their ingredients. Sugar, dough, natural and artificial flavors aren’t natural to your cat’s diet. And food that isn’t digestible by a carnivore certainly won’t benefit her.

Yet, your cat may be one of the oddballs. She could actually have a sweet tooth, and you might want to take precautionary measures. A larger or more frequent intake of donuts could be harmful to your pet.

Especially if your favorite ones are with chocolate, cinnamon, or raisins. Mild symptoms of digestive problems will involve vomiting and diarrhea.

But in some more serious conditions, like chocolate toxicity, watch out for seizures and tremors. If your cat starts to display any of these, take an emergency trip to the vet.

Read more: Can Cats Eat Caramel? Should You Avoid This Sugary Treat?

Bottom line

Don’t encourage your pet to eat donuts. With high amounts of carbohydrates and no health benefits, they aren’t the safest option for your cat.

Although the donut itself isn’t poisonous, some toppings or fillings might be. We hope you don’t have a hard time making this decision. 

When choosing between those big, round eyes and their health, always choose the latter. Your fluff will be forever grateful, as will your wallet.

Read more: Can Cats Eat Jelly? Do They Even Like This Treat?

Cats have been domesticated for quite some time now, and humans have a tendency to treat them as their equals. While this treatment is highly appreciated in other aspects, when it comes to food, it can be quite a risk.

While vanilla pudding may appear to us as a harmless pleasure, alongside many other sweets, it can be potentially dangerous to our pets. Especially if you can’t resist that sad look in your furbaby’s eyes while you’re having scoop after scoop of vanilla pudding. At that point, you’re more than tempted to give them a lick.

Can cats eat vanilla pudding safely?

Vanilla pudding seems harmless at first glance. It’s just a pudding, right? However, there’s more to the eye than just a jiggly and aromatic sweet treat. Vanilla pudding is made of a lot of diverse ingredients that could seem nontoxic to our feline companions.

However, the main ingredients of vanilla pudding are milk, vanilla extract, butter, sugar, as well as cornstarch. All of these ingredients are known to make your cat feel under the weather. So if you ever decide to feed vanilla pudding to your cat, you should consider what these ingredients could do to your kitty’s belly.

1. Can cats eat vanilla or is it dangerous?

The short answer to this question is no. Cats can’t eat vanilla extract as it’s highly poisonous to your pet. It contains ethyl alcohol which, if ingested, could lead to alcohol poisoning. And that’s something you want to avoid.

If your mischievous little paws couldn’t contain herself and stole a lick of a vanilla extract, you should keep an eye on her and look out for any signs of poisoning.

2. Can cats have milk?

While making any type of pudding, milk makes up a large part of it as an essential ingredient. While some cats might enjoy a sip of milk now and then, most cats are in fact lactose intolerant. 

When we say they are lactose intolerant, it means that their body doesn’t have the right enzymes to digest sugar called lactose that happens to be found in milk.

This might come as a shock to discover, considering all the stories we always hear about cats drinking milk. Granted, a few sips probably won’t hurt your kitty. But if her greed knows no bounds, you might find your kitten running for the litter box.

Excessive intake of milk of any kind can make your pet uneasy and leave them with a case of diarrhea. Therefore, stop listening to fairy tales and exclude milk from your kitten’s diet!

3. What about butter? Is it safe for cats?

When you think about it, the answer is pretty simple. No, cats can’t eat butter because it contains all of the things our little companions are not supposed to be eating.

Butter is made of cow’s milk, salt and fats. We’ve already touched on cow’s milk and why it’s bad for your cat’s stomach. The same goes for salt, which can actually be highly toxic if your cat consumes it.

Although fat is a nutrient that’s an important energy source, especially for wild cats, fat found in butter isn’t recommended for felines. It can lead to a series of health problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as inflammation of the pancreas. Doesn’t sound so good, right?

4. Can cornstarch be toxic to my cat?

Cornstarch is a useful ingredient made of corn kernels that serves as a thickening compound for many other foods. Sauces, soups, puddings — we make these more dense with a few teaspoons of cornstarch.

While we may find it often in our kitchen pantry, should we put it up to the highest shelf so our cats can’t reach it? Worry not, because cornstarch isn’t toxic to your pet and can sometimes be found even in cat food as a source of carbohydrates.

Cornstarch is made of corn, and while cereals are not your cat’s primary food, corn is rich in gluten. Therefore, it provides the needed carbohydrates for your furry companion.

5. Should I worry about the sugar content in pudding?

While humans can have strong cravings for sweets and naturally crave sugar as a source of fast energy, cats don’t. Your pet may seem as if she’s enjoying the sweet taste of it, but really, it’s nothing close to it. 

Cats lack the taste buds that would allow them to perceive the taste of sugar and really enjoy it.

Even though your cat’s receptors lack the ability to taste sugar, it doesn’t mean she should continue eating it. While sugar is known to be non-toxic to your kitten, it can be a foundation for future health problems.

In the same way, they lack taste buds, they also lack the enzymes that would help them digest it. Therefore, cats can’t get any nutritional value from sugar, such as fibers, vitamins, and minerals.

All in all, sugar does no real harm to your cat if it’s not on a regular basis. At the same time, it doesn’t benefit her as well. If your cat has routine access to sugar, you should be ready for potential health issues such as diabetes, tooth decay, and obesity.

6. Am I supposed to feed my cat egg yolks?

This is an amazing question because your cat will be thrilled when you give her this new treat. Eggs are widely used in the human diet and are at the top of the food pyramid. Sometimes, they’re classified in the same category as meat.

However, don’t let it be raw eggs because they can cause her to experience some gastrointestinal problems, not to mention putting her at risk of contracting some dangerous pathogens.

Raw eggs can carry certain diseases, such as salmonella and E. coli. So it’s best if you avoid raw eggs and rather opt for properly boiled or scrambled eggs for your pet.

Eggs are a great protein source for your cat that can improve her health. This nutrient-dense food can boost your cat’s immune system, keep her claws in tip-top shape, and make her coat shine!

Your purrer can benefit from cooked eggs only if there are no traces of any additional seasonings or ingredients. It’s best if you don’t feed your cat too many eggs, though. Even though eggs are a great source of proteins, they shouldn’t replace a cat’s regular diet in any way.

Eggs are best given once or twice a week maximum because of their fat and cholesterol content. If you don’t want your kitty becoming overweight or developing pancreatitis, keep tabs on this treat.

Can cats eat any pudding?

While chocolate pudding may be more harmful to your furry friend than vanilla pudding because of chocolate, you shouldn’t really be feeding it any type of pudding. 

It doesn’t even matter if it’s a banana pudding, it’s still harmful to your pet because most of the puddings are made of similar ingredients that won’t make your kitty feel very well.

Does my cat want something sweet?

When you catch your cat trying to dip her paws into something sweet or steal a bite of it, don’t feel bad about getting in the way of it. She may seem as though she’s enjoying it or even craving it, but this isn’t the case.

Cats don’t have receptors that can detect the sweet taste, so it doesn’t really serve them any great delight. They’re just curious! Be sure to keep an eye on your furbaby when trying out some new dessert recipes in the kitchen.

Can my cat have anything vanilla-flavored?

Vanilla icing, vanilla cake, vanilla ice cream and other sweets all have something in common. Vanilla extract is a compound that gives a deep flavor and beautiful aroma that’s often an essential part of baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes, puddings, and others.

While these baked goods may differ in certain ingredients, it’s still not safe for your cat to be fed any of these because of their mutual ingredient. So, in the same way cats can’t eat vanilla pudding, they also better stay away from the rest of the treats that contain vanilla.

Is vanilla yogurt safe for my cat? Green or red light?

Okay, so cats can’t eat vanilla pudding but can they indulge in vanilla yogurt? Is it a better option for them?

Yogurt is still a dairy product and cats are known to become lactose intolerant as they grow older and lose the enzymes they need for digestion of lactose. A bit of yogurt won’t harm your kitty, but you shouldn’t replace it with her regular diet in any way.

Cats are meat-eaters and should be able to fulfill their nutritional needs as determined by nature. While yogurt does have a fair share of minerals such as calcium that are needed for bone health, it’s not required in your pet’s diet because she is already getting it from meat-based food.

While usually harmless, your cat may experience some bad luck with yogurt due to an allergy development that can happen in any period of her life. One day she can have a few licks of this dairy product and the next, it could cause her skin inflammation and itching.

If any of these symptoms are visible to you, or you suspect something may be up with your furry buddy, you should call your veterinarian’s office for a check-up.

Read more:

Can Cats Eat Donuts? Sweet Treats Or Health Hazards?

Can Cats Eat Blueberry Muffins? Are They Healthy For Cats?

In summary

We have concluded that while vanilla pudding or any sort of vanilla-flavored treat could make you drool, it will most likely make your cat sick or allergic to certain ingredients essential to vanilla pudding. 

We have provided you with answers to the question of whether cats can eat vanilla pudding, so keep a watchful eye on your feline friends and their talent for stealing your treats.

Read more: Can Cats Eat Rice Pudding? Rice Is Better Than Mice!

You’re pretty sure you can give her a spoonful with no repercussions. But, she doesn’t seem to take no for an answer. She wants more and she wants it now. You have no other choice but to go online, look up “can cats eat vanilla ice cream” and hope for the best.

This must be your lucky day because the best seems to be exactly what you’re getting! According to our friends over at the ASPCA, a bit of vanilla ice cream is purrfectly safe for your furry friend.

You have nothing to worry about when you catch her licking the spoon after you’ve scoffed down an entire bucket of vanilla ice cream. Or helping herself to that blob of chocolate ice cream you spilled on the floor when you received an unexpected message from your crush.

But… There’s always a but when it comes to feeding your feline friend anything that isn’t supposed to be a regular part of her diet. Most human foods contain ingredients that can send her running to her litter box and vanilla ice cream doesn’t seem to be an exception.

Can cats eat ice cream safely?

You can’t wonder whether cats can eat a particular kind of ice cream without wondering whether they can eat ice cream at all, right!? You don’t see a lot of brands making these types of treats. And, you certainly don’t see a lot of cats with a cone between their paws.

So, can cats eat ice cream? Is ice cream safe for cats? Or is ice cream bad for cats? Most cat owners would agree that this tasty treat doesn’t fall under the category of cat foods or cat treats that are considered a regular part of their feline’s diet.

You see, cats are carnivores. That means that they require heaps of meat, animal protein, and animal-sourced nutrients in their diet. Ice cream doesn’t have the nutritional value your cat needs. So, there’s pretty much no reason why she should consume it on a regular basis.

Cats can’t even taste sweet things because they weren’t supposed to feed off of them in the first place. They don’t have the necessary taste receptors so they can’t really detect anything that has a sweet taste.

And don’t even get me started on the fact that their digestive system isn’t equipped to break down the sugar (a.k.a. the carbohydrates) in ice cream.

Technically speaking, cats can eat ice cream. But, ice cream shouldn’t become a regular part of their diet. Too much ice cream can cause brain freeze (which isn’t fun for humans, either). And, it can also cause different digestive problems such as upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, and even food poisoning.

So, can cats eat vanilla ice cream?

Everything we mentioned in the previous couple of paragraphs applies to vanilla ice cream, too. A lick or two shouldn’t send your four-legged friend running to her litter box. Such a small amount of vanilla ice cream doesn’t contain enough of what would typically make your cat sick.

That being said, it’s important to underline that vanilla ice cream does contain an ingredient that’s considered toxic. And yes, we’re talking about the vanilla extract.

To your cat’s demise, the vanilla extract contains a bunch of ethyl alcohol (up to 34%). Ethyl alcohol can easily lead to alcohol poisoning even when consumed in smaller amounts. One lick of pure vanilla extract can leave your furry friend with severe symptoms of alcohol poisoning.

These symptoms include drowsiness, lack of coordination, and lack of consciousness. Additionally, you might notice symptoms that are typically recognized as digestive problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

When we say that cats can eat vanilla ice cream, we’re talking about that tiny lick you give to your cat when she doesn’t want to walk away without her “you’re adorable” treat. Or when she doesn’t want to let you enjoy your bucket of ice cream without meowing until your ears fall off.

You get the gist of it, but you might be intrigued to find out more. What makes vanilla ice cream (and any other kind of ice cream) unfavorable to your four-legged friend? Why can’t your cat have a sweet treat every now and then? Why is vanilla ice cream bad for your cat’s health?

3 reasons why vanilla ice cream isn’t great for your cat

Cats can eat vanilla ice cream, but… There always seems to be a but when we’re talking about feeding our furry friends with different human foods. Vanilla ice cream contains too many ingredients that might harm your cat, so…

You might want to skip out on this one and find a better alternative. As mentioned before, a little lick shouldn’t be the cause for panic. But, you certainly want to avoid feeding your cat large amounts of ice cream.

After all, this tasty treat contains a lot of sugar, artificial sweeteners like Xylitol, and a bunch of other things you can read about when you scroll down.

1. Propylene glycol

While these two words might seem like something you skip because you don’t even want to attempt to read them… They are incredibly important when we’re talking about reasons why cats can’t eat vanilla ice cream.

You see, propylene glycol is a “safe” antifreeze that’s typically used to prevent ice crystals from developing in your ice cream. While that’s all great and dandy, propylene glycol can lead to poisoning in cats! It has even been banned from being used in cat food.

When your feline friend eats too much of something that contains this ingredient, she might experience symptoms such as weakness, loss of appetite, fever, skin discolorations, urine discolorations, and fever.

Not only that, but when left untreated these symptoms might result in anemia (Heinz body anemia, in particular), or even cause irreversible damage to your cat’s nervous system.

2. Lactose

Here’s something you weren’t expecting to read: cats are lactose intolerant! Most cats’ digestive system doesn’t contain the lactase enzyme. It is responsible for breaking down and processing lactose in everyday dairy products.

Vanilla ice cream is typically made with whole milk which contains the highest amount of lactose among all other dairy products. What happens when your lactose-intolerant cat eats a bunch of vanilla ice cream?

Well, the most common symptoms include upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. While those symptoms don’t sound as dangerous as damage to your cat’s nervous system, they’re still pretty uncomfortable.

So, next time you’re planning on eating an entire bucket of ice cream in front of your curious creature, you might want to opt for dairy-free ice cream. Or skip out on this tasty treat altogether.

3. Vanilla

Yes, we’ve talked about this in one of the previous paragraphs, but it doesn’t hurt to talk about it again. Vanilla extract that’s typically found in vanilla ice cream is considered toxic to cats.

Ethyl alcohol, one of the essential ingredients of vanilla extract, can easily lead to alcohol poisoning. It goes without saying that alcohol poisoning sounds like something you don’t want your furry friend to experience.

Granted, she would have to consume about a teaspoon of ethyl alcohol to experience any symptoms of alcohol poisoning, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Can kittens eat vanilla ice cream?

Technically yes, but avoid feeding it to your cat on a daily basis. There’s nothing wrong with letting your kitten lick the spoon you used to eat your vanilla ice cream. You could even let her have an entire spoonful. But, this tasty treat isn’t something you want her to consume regularly.

On the other hand, kittens aren’t lactose intolerant. Your kitten might have a better time digesting vanilla ice cream than most cats. But, you shouldn’t forget about everything else we mentioned beforehand. As a general rule of thumb, consult with your vet before introducing new foods to your cat’s (or kitten’s) diet.

Can cats eat chocolate ice cream?

Vanilla ice cream might have vanilla extract, but chocolate ice cream has theobromine and caffeine. These two ingredients can cause even more harm to your cat’s health. So, it’s only natural to assume that cats can’t eat chocolate ice cream.

There’s no way of telling whether a single lick of chocolate ice cream would send your cat to the emergency animal center. But, who’s to say that she won’t scoff down the entire bucket while you’re not looking!?

Some of the side effects of consuming chocolate are vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even cardiac failure or coma. Chocolate ice cream isn’t likely to kill your cat, but it’s certainly likely to make her incredibly ill for a couple of hours.

Let’s just say it’s better to stay away from this tasty treat.

Cats can eat vanilla ice cream, but…

You shouldn’t make any significant changes to your cat’s diet unless you consult with your vet beforehand. There are so many human foods that aren’t safe for your four-legged friend, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Once again, a lick of vanilla ice cream shouldn’t cause any harm to your cat. But, you can always offer her some plain, low-fat yogurt or sour cream if feeding her ice cream makes you nervous. Trust me, there are so many ice cream alternatives available on the market.

You don’t have to risk getting your feline friend in trouble because of a single lick of vanilla ice cream!

The thing is that sweets aren’t made for our precious little furriends. I know, what a pity because they get all excited when they see candy. I don’t really know if it’s because of the shiny packaging that they mostly come in. Like, is it a crow thing?

Whatever the reason, there’s something that draws them in effectively, but unfortunately, they shouldn’t get their way with it. We know that sweets aren’t man’s best friend either – you know what happens when you have too many!

Just think of Halloween or any other holiday, really. You get so high on that sugar! It’s just that it would be so nice to share some of those treats with your pawsome friend.

We have the best intentions, but honestly, it can only do more damage than good. And the outcome could potentially be devastating.

We usually ask ourselves whether cats can eat sweets when the alarm bells have already rung. I mean, when your cat’s already done something bad.

For instance, she snuck into your pantry and had a go at that bag of gummy bears. I know you feel guilty, but they can be such stealthy creatures sometimes!

You’re right to be worried. Now, I don’t want to scare you to death, but sweets really aren’t beneficial to felines. Moreover, they can be quite dangerous.

Perhaps you didn’t expect this because they look and taste so harmless and good! I know, it seems that both looks and taste can be deceiving. Therefore, let’s dive in to see if cats can eat sweets without any consequences.

Can cats eat sweets at all?

To put it bluntly, this isn’t a good idea. Actually, this is a very bad idea. I’ve mentioned they can be quite detrimental to their health.

Well, you better take this seriously and as an actual threat to their health. If you want your furbaby to live many years and stay by your side, stick to her usual diet.

Physically and literally speaking, sure, cats can eat sweets, no problem with that! However, there’s also a medical side to it that screams NO. Even though they’re a pleasure to our taste buds, sweets can cause a series of health problems to felines, both short and long-term.

Did you ever stop to ask yourself why you love candies and chocolate that much? Did it ever occur to you what’s really making the flavor pop? Yeah, there are all kinds of flavors and scents mixed together to make a perfect combination.

However, this match made in heaven is completely ascribed to sugar. And it’s utterly amazing because it’s working! People are crazy about it. Cats? Not so much.

Do cats like sweets?

Have you ever seen your cat in action? If you have, this could tell you a lot about their fondness for treats. But, just as is the case with people, felines are unique individuals.

For instance, my two cats are polar opposites. One is totally crazy about candies and chocolate bars and I constantly have to hide them in order to keep them away from her. She just gobbles it down like she’s never had food in her life.

But it’s an utterly different story when it comes to my other furry companion. I wouldn’t say that she despises sweets, although she doesn’t show any interest in them. Sure, she comes running down the hall when she hears the bag opening just like every cat does, but that’s it.

Therefore, your pet won’t necessarily be head over heels for some candies (which is a good thing!) Still, make sure you keep your eye on her, especially when roaming around the kitchen.

Now, from the scientific and biological perspective, I have to say something that’ll probably come as a surprise to you. Cats don’t have a sweet tooth. I know, right? Shocking.

Well, at least it was to me when I found out. And when you think about it, you realize once more just how mother nature made sure everything falls into its place. Why would on earth felines need taste buds for sweets?

They don’t have candy shops dotted all around the forests or wilderness. It all makes perfect sense. That’s why your feline probably won’t make a beeline for that bag of sugary goodness once you open it.

What could go wrong?

I’m playing open cards here – I won’t say my cats have never got a hold of any sweets. That would be totally unfair and probably make some cat parents feel guilty.

Of course, I didn’t do it on purpose. All it takes is just a couple of seconds for you to divert your attention to something else and BOOM. There goes the chocolate chip cookie. She even grabbed my popsicle once, but I managed to get it back just in time.

If you’re worried about your cat because she had a bite or two of your favorite snacks, you probably shouldn’t fret too much.

You wondered whether cats can eat sweets and I emphatically stated no. However, we all know that accidents like these are bound to happen with these mischievous creatures.

It’s not the end of the world if it’s only a small bite. However, I want to put this out there and say that you should never deliberately treat your pet with sweets.

Sure, she will probably beg for it and give you those big, doe eyes and that slight paw touch. If you give in to that, the mission fails.

1. Health issues

Unfortunately, sweets are one of the cats’ nemeses. It can go all sorts of wrong if she has regular access to these sugary pleasures.

Many health issues can arise from inadequate food intake, especially one that harms her straight away. You see, mother nature made sure to cut off cats’ sweetness taste buds for a reason.

However, she rewarded them with a great sense of smell for meat. Felines are obligate carnivores, which essentially means they must have meat in order to survive and thrive. Sweets, on the other hand, won’t do much for them.

If you were to compare the two ingredients, there’s really no math involved. It’s quite simple – meat good, sweets bad.

2. High sugar levels

One of the main problems involving cats and sweets is high sugar levels. It’s something that adds and enhances the flavor.

However, cats will draw the short straw if they manage to eat certain amounts of sweets. And this usually doesn’t end well.

Sugar is a carbohydrate that can ruin your pet’s quality of life, and I mean this seriously. The name sounds quite harmless, but it’s anything but.

So, the next time you wonder can cats eat sweets, sugar will probably be the first thing that makes you question it. The real hazard is the further development of certain diseases, such as diabetes. It’s a real struggle for both cat parents and their furkids.

Unfortunately, we’re not done yet. Carbs and excess treats can really do a number on your feline’s dental health. If she regularly indulges in treats and snacks, her teeth and gums are at a high risk of rotting. Tooth decay is more common as pets become older as well.

To top it all off, your cat’s prone to becoming overweight. That’s right. If she has sweets that you think of as harmless, it’s likely she’ll gain a few pounds. And while we may think it’s cute and nothing to worry about, extra weight easily becomes a much bigger problem.

Other health issues stem from obesity as well. If she’s an older cat, a few pounds may affect her whole life. That added weight puts additional stress on her already worn-out joints, setting the ground for arthritis.

3. Xylitol; the real danger

Unfortunately, we come bearing more bad news. This probably isn’t something you expected, but the world decided to be a rather cruel place, I know.

As if sugar wasn’t bad enough, the real danger, and something that poses a serious threat to your feline’s health, is xylitol. It kind of even sounds dangerous, right? Like something out of villain stories. Well, it certainly is evil towards cats.

Can cats eat sweets because of it? Definitely not. It’s a chemical compound that can easily kill your feline. In small amounts, maybe not, but why take the risk?

The chances of finding xylitol in candies and other treats are really high. Almost everything’s made with this type of sweetener.

Especially if it says “No sugar.” Then you should know that the food is packed with artificial sweeteners like this one. I know this is some sad news, but better safe than sorry!

Can cats eat cupcakes?

I know what you’re doing. You’re really just grabbing onto the last straw and trying to find something that you’ll be able to share with your pet.

We already know cats cannot eat sweets. But is it any different for these sweet pleasures? Well, to a certain degree.

I wouldn’t necessarily encourage you to feed cupcakes to your pet, but they can be quite harmless, ON ONE CONDITION. They shouldn’t contain chocolate, frosting, or high levels of sugar. The rest of the ingredients should be totally fine.

Still, note that your pet might become a bit obsessed with this food. If she’s anything like my furkid, then all hell will break loose if she gets hooked on them!

Please remember that cupcakes aren’t something that fits into a feline’s diet. It has no traces of protein and is scarce in other nutritional benefits.

The only thing she could gain from eating cupcakes is some more pounds. They’re packed with calories and carbs, not to mention fat.

Can cats eat brownies?

I really hate being the person to deliver the bad news. However, if you ever wondered if cats can eat brownies, I have to break it to you.

Let’s rip off the bandaid. No, cats cannot eat brownies. Like cookies, brownies aren’t safe for your pet.

The reason behind this devastating news is the chocolate. I know, it doesn’t sound fair, but chocolate is actually lethal to cats. It contains chemical compounds called theobromine and caffeine – both of which are toxic to felines.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s milk chocolate, dark, or white; they’re all equally bad. Once your pet gulps down this poison, she’ll start to experience some adverse symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, as well as abdominal pain. In severe cases, she can get tremors, seizures, and even fall into a coma.

Can cats eat cotton candy?

All I can hear is sugar, sugar, and some more sugar! Cotton candy is pure sugar and that’s why we like it. Can cats eat cotton candy at all? You can probably guess the answer to this one already, but let me clarify.

There’s nothing nutritionally beneficial about cotton candy for your feline (or for humans either, for that matter). Sure, they give us that instant sweet flavor that just melts in our mouths. But does it make your cat’s mouth water as well?

Honestly, I wouldn’t think so. She’d probably try to play with it, then get spooked, and then attack it with her claws. Trust me, they’re that weird.

Can cats eat Skittles?

Sugar, fats, calories, carbs, artificial flavoring, color, and sweeteners, you name it. All the bad stuff can be found in these colorful, tasty treats.

It goes without saying that Skittles aren’t felines’ first choice of food. They certainly aren’t beneficial either.

However, there just might be something more terrifying about these candies than sugar itself. Because they’re small, they slide down the throat easily. However, this might be a real choking hazard to your furry friend.

Pets can get carried away and play with these little candies as if there’s no tomorrow. Things can get pretty wild, believe me, be it Skittles or a bag of Oreos.

Your cat could potentially get Skittles stuck in her throat or in between her teeth. Both scenarios are quite scary and dangerous as well.

If you asked me whether or not cats can eat Skittles, let me be straightforward and just say no. There are just too many risks and your pet probably won’t even be interested in them.

Sure, they’re colorful, but cats don’t see the colors the way we do. They smell nice, but are they enough to entice your feline and make her give them a sniff? Probably not.

Can cats eat lollipops?

I kind of feel bad now for not providing you with any positive answer. But I guess it is what it is.

Felines are supposed to live a happy and healthy life, and we’re the ones who should be lounging on the sofa believing we have a good life while we’re munching away on lollipops.

It’s a common treat among kids, perhaps an iconic one. If your kid’s really keen on these, you might wonder if cats can eat lollipops, too.

You’ve always taught your child that sharing is caring, right? What if they take it so seriously and feed your furball some of this sugary treat?

They’re no broccoli, so your kid can’t get away with not finishing his plate by sneaking it over to your feline. I know how this works, trust me. Been there, done that.

Therefore, make sure your cat stays occupied with something else. Teach your kid to feed your furry companion some cat-appropriate treats or even some feline-friendly veggies.

Wrapping it up

I know you were dying to find out how can cats eat sweets safely. I hope I didn’t ruin your expectations completely! Sometimes it can be hard balancing responsible cat ownership and the urge to please them and grant them their every wish.

Unfortunately, sweets aren’t a wish they’re getting fulfilled. Cats cannot eat sweets and that’s really the end of the story. Quite literally.

Your cat sure wants to. There’s pretty much nothing that can stop her from getting into the spirit of holidays (even more so, getting into the secret stash FOR the holidays). Move over candy canes and peppermint barks, there’s a new Christmas sheriff in town and she’s got her eyes set on gingerbread.

Anyway, you’re starting to wonder whether you should stop saying no every time she scrunches up her snout and gives you the “mommy, you promised” look. So, can cats eat ginger or gingerbread without any repercussions? Can cats even eat sweets?

According to our friends over at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), cats can eat ginger, but they can’t eat other ingredients found in gingerbread.

So, before you and your furry friend kick the season off with your favorite flavors, you might want to take a closer look at some of the reasons gingerbread might not be the best choice for her. Let’s start from the beginning, shall we?

So, can cats eat gingerbread?

First things first, you made the right call when you decided to look up whether cats can eat gingerbread. Most pet parents who find out that cats can eat ginger assume they’re free to feed their furry friend gingerbread cookies, gingerbread houses, and other gingerbread baked goods.

But, cats aren’t supposed to eat sweet things. They’re obligate carnivores. That means they require meat, animal protein, and animal-sourced nutrients to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. But even more so, they’re sweet-blind.

They don’t possess the sweetness receptors necessary to taste sweet things. They also don’t need sugar or other carbohydrates in their diet. So, they’re best off spending their life munching on keto-friendly snacks (or should we say cato-friendly).

And, as if we don’t feel sorry for the poor felines already, cats can’t eat the majority of gingerbread ingredients. As mentioned before, ginger itself shouldn’t send your feline running to the litter box. But cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove might even send her to the emergency animal clinic.

It’s safe to say that cats can’t eat gingerbread. So, you’ll have to withstand your cat’s tendency to meow your ears off to let her taste the holiday flavors, and take a look at why you’ll want to keep an eye out during the festive season.

Cinnamon toxicity

Here’s the thing with cinnamon. This succulent spice shouldn’t harm your furry friend unless she scoffs down an entire cinnamon stick. You see, cinnamon contains coumarin (you know it’s serious when we start hauling out the tough-to-pronounce vocabulary).

Your cat’s digestive system doesn’t contain the enzymes necessary to break down and process coumarin. What does that mean for your cat in terms of gingerbread? Well, if she consumes too many gingerbread cookies, she might experience symptoms of cinnamon toxicity.

Some signs you’ll want to keep an eye out for are diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, liver disease, and even liver failure. And if she manages to get some of that cinnamon on her skin and fur, she might even experience irritation, redness, and rashes.

If you see any of these symptoms, contact your vet as soon as possible. You might be pleased to know that powdered cinnamon (the kind that’s typically used for gingerbread) contains the least amount of coumarin out of the bunch.

Your feline friend might need to cram down the entire gingerbread house to experience any of the more severe symptoms. But it’s still better to play on the safe side and avoid it.

1. Nutmeg toxicity

You can’t have a proper gingerbread experience without generous sprinklings of spices, and nutmeg surely takes the proverbial cake. But, to nobody’s surprise, nutmeg falls under the category of spices that aren’t safe for feline consumption. What a bummer for your feline!

In keeping with the same line of tough-to-pronounce words, let’s talk about myristicin. Believe it or not, this compound happens to be even worse than coumarin found in cinnamon. Even the tiniest amount of nutmeg can cause some pretty serious repercussions. 

So, let’s say your curious creature decides to snack on some gingerbread cookies while you’re too busy staring at the screen and pining over the Viscount (as a true Bridgerton fan). Keep an eye out for the symptoms of nutmeg toxicity.

She might experience anything ranging from mild stomach upset to hallucinations, disorientation, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, or even tremors and seizures. These symptoms usually go away on their own in less than 48 hours. But, it’s best you contact your vet as soon as you notice any of them.

So no, cats can’t eat gingerbread unless you make some from scratch and avoid any of these harmful spices and seasonings. This might not be the answer to the “can cats eat gingerbread” question you’ve been hoping for. But, it’s the one you’re getting. 

2. Clove toxicity

And of course, you can’t have that je ne sais quoi in your gingerbread without the addicting clove aroma. But, your furry friend might have a hard time trying to digest this spice. Her digestive system doesn’t contain the enzymes necessary to break down and process eugenol.

Yet another tricky word!? Yes, eugenol is another toxin responsible for gingerbread’s bad reputation in the feline world.

Diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, staggering gait, tremors, and seizures are what you can expect if your cat manages to consume a sufficient amount of eugenol. Don’t worry, gingerbread doesn’t typically contain that much, so your cat isn’t likely to experience severe repercussions.

But, presuming she does manage to get her paws on clove essential oil, she might even experience liver damage and liver failure. Let’s just say that this pungent spice isn’t worth the hype. Especially when you think about the consequences it can have on your furry friend.

Can kittens eat gingerbread?

You might have already guessed the answer to this one, but no, kittens can’t eat gingerbread. Their digestive system isn’t equipped with enzymes that are necessary to break down and process most foods. And don’t even get me started on cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove toxicity!

Kittens should only ever feed on their mother’s milk. When they grow up and become a bit more resilient, they can consume kitten food and the occasional carefully crafted kitten treats.

Granted, kittens won’t experience severe symptoms from just one bite of gingerbread. But there are other factors to consider here, too. Many commercially available gingerbread sweets contain artificial sweeteners, colorings, and preservatives which can cause serious harm to your little munchkin.

These additives aren’t recommended for feline consumption in general, but they’re even more dangerous for kittens because of their underdeveloped digestive systems. It’s safe to say that you should keep your gingerbread cookies safely stored away from your kitto’s reach.

Cats can’t eat gingerbread, but…

There’s no reason for a panic attack if your furry friend manages to pinch a bite of your gingerbread house while you’re getting into the holiday spirit. Don’t worry, such minuscule morsels don’t contain enough cinnamon, nutmeg, or clove to cause serious harm to your cat.

Just be sure to avoid feeding your cat sweet treats and foods packed with sugar, and consult with your vet before making any significant changes to your cat’s diet.

And as for the disappointed look on your cat’s face when you tell her she can’t have gingerbread, it’s as simple as offering a paw-licking cat treat instead. She’ll be none the wiser!

Every time someone mentions sugar, I automatically start singing the Maroon 5 song, or I think about my favorite candy. Anyways, we have to answer a really important question that crossed your mind and it’s related to your feline friend.

You probably overheard someone saying how cats cannot taste sugar, yet it seems like your furry friend enjoys some of your favorite sweets. How’s that possible?

First of all, it’s true. Cats aren’t capable of tasting sugar. Their tongues are just not able to detect anything sweet. Cats have only 470 tastebuds (unlike human beings who have 9,000 and dogs who have 1,700) and not a single one of them is allocated to sweetness.

Sugar is not something that their little bodies need for normal functioning. They don’t have the desire to eat your sweets, in fact, they don’t have a sweet tooth at all. Lucky creatures!

The only reason they may get super excited while you’re opening Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups is your cat is interested in something else. She may connect the sound with you opening her packet of treats, for example.

These little carnivores enjoy meat and fatty food in particular, so the smell of your candies may be appealing to her. She may also be captivated by umami flavors, amino acids, or the minty smell of your bonbons and candy canes (cause, well, catnip smells very much alike).

Can our little feline friends make a mistake and think of a lollipop as a toy? I mean, mistakes happen, right?

So, we know that cats can’t taste sugar, but can they eat it? Time to find out!

Can cats eat sugar safely?

The shortest answer I can give you is yes, but… I know you were waiting for that “but.” Cats can technically eat sugar, but in a very moderate amount. What does that mean?

Your cat should not eat sugar in large quantities, and it should be dosed to her properly, according to her weight. Most human food is not so easy for cats to digest and sugar is no exception either. Should they consume too much in one go, they may end up with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Cats don’t require carbohydrates in their diets but can tolerate a minimal amount. Back in the days when they were in the wild, they’d consume carbs from the stomach contents of their prey or they would nibble on plants to soothe tummy problems.

(Disclaimer: I’m only talking about domestic furbabies right now because wild cats still do this.)

Our domestic kitties still have small meals throughout the day, and for this reason, it’s not so problematic for them to eat a bit of food that contains carbs. It’s not recommended though, and sugar is definitely a food you should avoid feeding your cat.

If your kitty has a drop or two of maple syrup while you’re eating your pancakes, it’s not a big deal. But it has no nutritive value and consuming it often would mean that your furry friend is ingesting empty calories. It kind of makes no sense, right?

Now, on to another important question…

Is sugar harmful to cats?

In large quantities, yes, sugar can be really harmful. Especially if we’re talking in the long run, cats can develop some critical diseases. If they consume large doses of sugary products daily, our feline friends may develop diabetes, obesity, and even some oral problems.

It’s basically the same with human beings. Too many empty calories that we consume can easily cause obesity, and I can bet that your parents were telling you to slow down on sugar because it will cause cavities.

Anyways, we’ll explain the three major problems that come with your feline consuming a lot of sugary food.

1. Dental issues

So, as we’ve mentioned, your mom and dad probably were drill sergeants when it came to oral hygiene. Well, the same applies to your kitty, and it’s a particular concern if she consumes a lot of sugar, even though she doesn’t taste it.

Frequent sugar intake can cause cavities, gingivitis, and other dental diseases that can harm your cat’s health. If bacteria develop and they enter her bloodstream, they can infect her kidneys, heart, and liver.

You can minimize the risk of these diseases developing if you not only limit her sugar intake, but also regularly brush your cat’s teeth. There’s no need to do this daily, but it will greatly help if her dental hygiene is on point.

2. Obesity

As previously stated, if consuming sugar, your feline is ingesting only empty calories and nothing nutritious. Cats need only a few hundred calories daily, and if their sugar intake is high, it can quickly lead to obesity.

I know chonkies look cute, but in reality, it’s harder for them to lead happy life and exercise as much as when they were a healthy weight. They will not be able to do certain physical activities and this can easily compound the problem.

If your furbaby is obese, her chances of getting insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and osteoarthritis drastically increase. The risks of heart attack and stroke are higher as well.

So, if you know that your kitty is prone to obesity, avoid giving her sugar. Also, consult with your vet in order to prevent any other health issues that may occur.

3. Diabetes

Same as us, felines can have diabetes. Even though cats don’t know they’re eating sugar, it can still do harm to their little bodies.

This illness can come about as a result of genetics, which is out of our control, but generally, the biggest contributor to feline diabetes is the food itself. What and how you feed your cat largely influences your cat’s chances of developing diabetes.

If your furbaby already has diabetes, your vet will have advised you to give her adequate food supplements and medications, and to take good care of her. This is in order to prevent serious damage to her liver and other internal organs.

If you suspect your cat has diabetes, some of these signs may indicate that you’re right.

Excessive urination and/or thirst: One usually leads to the other and this may be because their little bodies are fighting to get rid of the excess glucose.

Increased appetite and weight loss: When cats have diabetes, their cells are not able to process glucose the right way. This may cause her to eat a lot, yet to lose weight notably.

Her walk changes: Cats’ ability to walk is slightly weakened because the nerves are being damaged. This will greatly influence their hind legs and may cause permanent paralysis if not treated on time.

Last but not least, she may start vomiting and your otherwise lively cat will be passive. If you notice any of these signs, seek medical attention immediately and take her to the vet ASAP.

4. Sugar rush

It may sound a bit odd, but cats can experience a sugar rush. This makes them agitated and they become hyperactive. I’m sure you won’t be able to miss this one if it happens.

Their blood sugar levels may increase when they are in stressful situations. This, however, doesn’t necessarily lead to hyperglycemia or diabetes. As soon as the levels of sugar get back to normal, they’ll be perfectly fine.

5. Sugar addiction

Surprisingly, cats don’t need to actually know what they’re eating, or how sweet something actually tastes, in order to suffer from sugar addiction.

The amount of sugar present in cat treats may be the reason behind this addiction. Companies that produce food for our furballs actually add small amounts of sugar, fat, and salt to dried kibble. This is solely to enhance the flavor, but it can make your cat addicted.

If you’re struggling to switch your cat to a healthier diet, make sure you decrease the amount of those kibbles you’re serving her. I know she likes the crunch, but there are some other options as well. You can serve her some broccoli, olives, cauliflower, zucchini, or even celery!

I know these are not sweet treats, so if you prefer to share something fruity with her, choose fruits that are safe for her, or that your vet recommended.

Are there any sweets that are toxic for cats?

We’ve concluded that sugar, albeit not beneficial, is at least not toxic for your feline. But there are certain sweets that actually are. There are some compounds in sweet treats that cats may be allergic to or even put your furchild closer to that stairway to kitty heaven.

For example, chocolate is extremely toxic for your pet. The higher the percentage of cocoa it contains, the more harmful it is. If your cat consumes this heavenly human snack, you can expect symptoms such as vomiting, muscle trembling, or even suffer seizures and arrhythmia.

It may not be a problem if she takes a tiny nibble of chocolate topping from your donut, but try to avoid it.

Raisins and grapes are also really dangerous for our feline friends and can cause kidney failure and lead to some other serious diseases.

Some common spices that we use in baking treats, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, are dangerous to cats as well. Fatty and sugary food can also cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), which is more likely to happen to cats that already have diabetes.

Can cats eat sugar substitutes?

Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners are a big no for your furball. They are often used in sugar-free food, such as bubblegum and bonbons, but can cause some serious damage to our little furry friends.

These substances can cause stomach upsets, vomiting, and diarrhea. They can also lead to liver failure and a serious decrease in blood sugar levels. Ultimately, it can lead to seizures and even death.

So, can cats eat sugar substitutes? The answer is a hard NO.

What about good sugars?

You’ve probably heard about “good” sugars, but what exactly are these? Sugar in general is not something even we should consume in large amounts. However, sugars that can be found naturally in our food are considered good ones.

We’re talking about dairy products and fruits. They come together with fiber, vitamins, minerals, protein, and phytochemicals. Since cats can have small amounts of sugar every once in a while, these natural sources are definitely a better choice of treat to share with your furkid.

Of course, dairy products are no-go if your cat is lactose intolerant (and most are), but introducing some fruit to your feline’s diet can do wonders. You can try serving her some apples, bananas, raspberries, blueberries, or even seedless watermelon.

These will help with her metabolism and cellular energy. Offer her these treats in moderation, since too much of anything can cause some health problems.

Can cats drink sugary water?

This one is not so easy to answer. Cats do need to drink water, and some experts even recommend serving your cat sugar water if she suffers a sudden loss of appetite. Also, if she’s not able to move, this could work as a short-term energy boost.

This mixture will help to revive your feline and give her just enough strength to visit the vet. In case she’s not able to drink it on her own, or she doesn’t want to, use a feeding syringe and gently place some sugar water into her mouth. This way, you’re able to control the amount of sugar she ingests.

However, moderation is key. Sugar has no nutritional value for cats, as we know by now, and it can be harmful to your furbaby in excessive amounts. It can cause oral problems and increase the risks of some serious diseases as we mentioned earlier.

So, pay attention to the amount you’re giving her. I know you love her and you’d do anything to see your furball jumping cheerfully around the house, but feeding her a lot of sugar won’t do the trick.

Other tasty snacks your cat can eat

Of course, there are plenty of tasty snack alternatives that cats can eat. It really doesn’t have to be sugar. They don’t have a sweet tooth, as we said in the beginning, but being selfish when you’re treating yourself is not an option, right?

Instead of giving her sweet treats, take a different approach. Okay, you can serve her some of the fruit we’ve mentioned earlier, but what snack is so special that every time your furbaby catches a whiff, her whiskers dance?

You, you’ve guessed it right. Meat. Simply cook chicken or turkey breast in plain water and cut into small pieces. I’m sure your little carnivore will be delighted.

Does she have something she truly enjoys munching on? Don’t hesitate to spoil your feline with her favorite treat while you indulge your sweet tooth. Even more reason to do so if she behaved well while there were guests in the house.

And last but not least, something that can never be turned down: cat food. She’ll adore you for serving her this, because who doesn’t like good old classics?

What can you do to prevent your cat from eating sugar?

This may sound like I’m typing for a parent whose kid is a little snoop, but store anything sugary away from your feline’s reach. You can use your cupboard for storage or hide them in securely sealed containers, so she can’t access those sweets of yours.

Also, make sure she can’t go dumpster diving. Keep the trash somewhere she won’t be able to get to, like in your garage or in secured trash cans that she can’t open.

And if you have kids, you’ll probably need to have a talk with them about why they can’t share that chocolate bar with their favorite pet. Clearly explain that sharing is not caring in this case, rather quite the opposite.

I hope you managed to answer your question of whether cats can eat sugar. Now, sing along with me, will you?

And, here we are! Whether you have a sweet tooth, leave candy wrappers in the oddest of places in your apartment, or live by the mantra that “sharing is caring,” chances are you found yourself in a situation where you considered feeding your feline friend rogue confectionary.

You have no idea whether she even likes sweet things and sugary treats, but when she gives you that “Aren’t you going to share that deliciousness with me, mommy” look, you can’t help but give her whatever her little heart desires.

While that’s incredibly sweet of you (pun intended), it might not be the type of balanced diet your vet was talking about when he was teaching you how to take care of your four-legged friend. According to our friends over at the ASPCA, you should never feed candy to your cat.

But, what type of candy are they talking about? Why do they consider candy so dangerous to your furry friend? What reasons do they have for their decision? Scroll down and find the answers you’ve been looking for when you googled whether or not cats can eat candy.

Can cats eat candy?

“Cats are obligate carnivores!” You’ve probably read (or heard) that a million times before, but have you ever wondered what that actually means?

Your precious purrincess requires predominantly meat, animal protein, and animal-sourced nutrients to survive and thrive. Let’s be honest, she doesn’t do much hunting these days like her wild ancestors, which means you’re the one who’s responsible for providing her with necessary sustenance.

Regular cat food typically contains the right amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals that keep your cat’s health in check. Most cats are fans of human food (and pretty much anything they notice their human eat). You can always give her an occasional bite of meat to keep her satisfied.

But, what about candy? Can cats eat candy without any repercussions? There are many different types of candy available on the market today. But, there’s only one right answer to the question: NO. Cats can’t eat candy without experiencing serious adverse reactions.

Sugar, chocolate, xylitol… You can find these harmful ingredients in most commercially available types of candy. And that’s not even the worst thing about feeding candy to your cat (or having your cat steal some from your secret stash).

Cats can’t digest sweet things. As we’ve mentioned at the beginning, cats are carnivorous. Their digestive systems aren’t designed with carbohydrates in mind because that’s not what their natural diet is supposed to look like.

It’s safe to say that your fur-monster should steer clear of your Halloween candy. And yes, that also includes cotton candy, candy corn, and corn syrup! And yes, that also includes the type of candy you eat when it’s not Halloween!

Why cats can’t eat candy?

Technically speaking, cats can eat candy because most types of sweet treats aren’t toxic to cats. Let’s say your curious creature gives your vanilla ice cream a couple of licks or she munches on a bonbon that fell on the floor. Don’t panic, she will survive!

When we say that you should never feed candy to your cat, we aren’t talking about those situations when your mischievous monster steals a bite of something she shouldn’t be eating.

We’re talking about consciously feeding her different types of candy as a regular part of her diet. We’re talking about leaving chocolate, chewing gum, and mint within the reach of her pesky paws. Trust me, that’s a no-no for so many reasons. Just take a look at these!

1. Sugar

According to our friends over at the ASPCA, sugar isn’t listed as toxic to your furry friend. But, that certainly doesn’t mean that it doesn’t fall under the category of things that are harmful or in any way unfavorable to your furry friend.

Trust me, there are many reasons cats can’t and shouldn’t eat sugar. They can’t digest it properly because their digestive systems don’t possess the enzymes necessary to break down carbohydrates and turn them into energy. They’re nothing like their humans!

As a result, consuming too much sugar can lead cats to experience numerous digestive issues and health problems. From stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting, to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes – too much sugar can only lead to poor quality of life.

Having a chonky cat sounds like a dream come true… But, having a healthy one sounds so much better because you know healthy equals happy. Let’s keep those sweet treats for Ms. McFluff to a minimum!

2. Chocolate

The queen of all sweets doesn’t seem to rule the feline kingdom! Unfortunately for every feline in the world, chocolate does fall under the category of incredibly toxic foods to felines. Even a tiny bite might send your cat running to her litterbox.

So, what’s the fuss about the relationship between chocolate and cats? Chocolate contains a couple of essential ingredients that can lead to an array of health problems including liver damage, kidney disease, and kidney failure.

Yes, we’re talking about theobromine and caffeine. Excessive amounts of these two essential ingredients in chocolate can even lead to a condition known as chocolate toxicity or chocolate poisoning. Diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, lethargy, seizures…

Trust me, you don’t want your kitto to experience any of those symptoms. But, if she does manage to get her paws on the chocolate praline you were saving for later, make sure to contact your vet immediately. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

3. Raisins and other harmful ingredients

Here’s something you probably didn’t know. Raisins are even more dangerous than chocolate when it comes to feeding them to your furry friend. There are numerous types of candy that contain raisins and other harmful ingredients and you should certainly keep an eye out for them.

Candy raisins, raisins cookies, and chocolate-covered raisins are only a couple of the sweet treats you should keep out of your cat’s reach. While she might think they look absolutely paw-licking, her digestive system wouldn’t agree.

Consuming too many raisins over a longer period of time could cause some serious damage to your cat’s health. Not only are raisins incredibly damaging to your cat’s digestive system, but they also might lead to kidney disease and kidney failure.

Apart from raisins, you might also want to keep tabs on the different types of nuts that might be found in the majority of commercially available candy. While your furry friend isn’t likely to experience a nut allergy, she’s likely to stumble upon a type that’s harmful.

For instance, macadamia nuts are incredibly toxic to cats. Walnuts, almonds, and pecans aren’t, but they are rich in oils that might be tough on your cat’s tummy. Either way, it’s best to avoid anything that might cause harm to your precious pet.

4. Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners

Let’s head on to an ingredient that most of us can’t even pronounce properly! While it might not be important to learn the proper term for this artificial sweetener, it’s certainly important to remember that xylitol shouldn’t find its way into your cat’s tummy.

Unfortunately, xylitol and most other artificial sweeteners might cause health problems to your four-legged friend if consumed over a longer period of time. One piece of candy containing this type of ingredient shouldn’t cause any harm, but…

It’s better to be safe than sorry. Believe it or not, xylitol could cause seriously low blood sugar levels which, in turn, can lead to liver damage and liver failure. While you might think sugar-free options might be the way to go, they’re typically rich in artificial sweeteners.

This is what we mean when we say “Just because your cat can eat something doesn’t mean she should.” Xylitol? More like xyli-to-none!

5. Choking hazard

Last but not least, most types of candy pose a choking hazard to your four-legged friend. They come wrapped in pesky plastic that can find its way into your cat’s digestive tract. Or they even come in weird shapes that can get stuck in her throat or esophagus.

Think about it… Small, oddly shaped candy could trick your cat into swallowing without chewing or breaking it apart beforehand. Gummy, chewy, or sticky candy could get stuck in your cat’s mouth and cause discomfort. Hard candy could break apart and cut your cat’s throat (or even intestines).

These risks sound just as dangerous as all those unfavorable ingredients. You can’t help but wonder whether it’s worth trying to find a type of candy that isn’t going to send your furry friend to the emergency vet clinic. Give her a piece of meat and she won’t even notice your Nerds!

Can cats eat cotton candy?

Your precious purrincess goes crazy when she sees cotton candy? Who could blame her!? This incredibly sweet treat looks like something out of a fairy tale and it’s only natural for a real-life member of the royalty to show interest in giving it a little lick. But…

Cats can’t eat cotton candy! Unfortunately, cotton candy is rich in sugar which doesn’t bring anything to the table when it comes to your cat’s nutritional needs. Your cat’s digestive system wasn’t designed to break down carbs (and guess what category sugar falls under!?).

Don’t panic, an occasional lick or two won’t cause any serious damage to your cat’s health. Make sure you don’t let your cat munch on the entire thing while you aren’t looking, and you should be fine. But, on the off chance that she does take more than one lick…

Look for signs of discomfort, stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact your vet if you have any reason to believe your cat might be in danger of a sugar overload. Other than that, keep a close eye on your cat when she’s roaming around the kitchen looking for trouble!

What about candy canes?

Cover your four-legged friend’s eyes because she might be incredibly disappointed to find out that… Cats can’t eat candy canes! Everything we’ve said about cotton candy applies to candy canes, as well. They’re too sugary, too hard (opposite of cotton candy), and they lack nutritional value.

When it comes to your cat’s diet, you should follow the ten to ninety rule which says that cat treats should only comprise around 10% of your cat’s food intake. Do you really want to spend that 10% on candy canes that can only cause harm to your precious pet!?

Apart from being sugary and sweet, candy canes can easily become a choking hazard because they’re so hard. When your cat tries to chew on them, she might break them apart. Small candy cane pieces might end up getting stuck in her throat or even cutting her insides. Immediately no!

Can cats eat marshmallows?

Can you guess what the answer to this one might be? You probably guessed it right, cats can’t eat marshmallows. While it might seem like we’re telling you cats can’t eat pretty much anything other than meat, we’re just looking out for your four-legged friend.

So, what happens when your cat ingests a marshmallow? One marshmallow isn’t going to cause much damage to your cat’s health. There’s no reason to panic and rush to the emergency animal center because marshmallows aren’t necessarily toxic to cats. But…

Letting your cat eat them over a long period of time might cause some digestive problems, stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting. Your cat’s digestive system doesn’t contain the enzymes that are necessary to break down the sugar in marshmallows, so it’s best to avoid them.

And what about ice cream?

Believe it or not, your lap monster might be lactose intolerant! While most cat parents think their precious pets require lots of milk in their regular diet, they couldn’t be further from wrong.

You see, while Ms. McFluff was a little kitten, her digestive system was equipped with an enzyme that was responsible for breaking down the lactose in milk. As she grew older, this enzyme slowly disappeared from her digestive system as it was no longer necessary.

That means that when she consumes milk as an adult cat, she’s at risk of experiencing digestive issues such as discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your cat might not experience the same symptoms as other cats, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Additionally, ice cream contains another incredibly difficult-to-pronounce ingredient that might cause serious health issues to your cat. Propylene glycol might cause symptoms such as fever, weakness, and loss of appetite which can, in turn, cause a condition known as hemolytic anemia.

This explanation might contain too many big words, but the main point is pretty clear: cats can’t eat ice cream! It’s better to play it safe when it comes to your precious pet’s health.

Cats can’t eat candy, but don’t forget…

Sugar and spice and everything nice doesn’t mean a thing to your four-legged friend. Believe it or not, cats can’t taste sweet things! The only reason your cat seems super interested when you whip out a packet of Nerds is that she’s curious to see what you’re so excited about!

Trust me, she couldn’t care less about the cotton candies and candy canes of the world. She only has around four hundred and seventy taste buds, and all of them are reserved for the delicious chicken, turkey, and beef. She doesn’t crave that sugar high the same way you and I do!

While it’s true that cats can’t eat candy, it’s also true that they most likely don’t even want to. There’s nothing to be disappointed about. You can still make your precious purrincess happy with an array of tasty treats that are designed to make her happy and healthy!

My friend has a lovely grayish cat that’s always up for cuddles, especially if she feels like my bestie is not feeling okay. I remember once when I was visiting, she was telling me something about her relationship, her voice cracked, and that furry ball just jumped into her lap.

Last night, that same friend called me in hysterics.

She had another argument with her boyfriend and, naturally, she was upset. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate and she always has those big family packs of chocolate ice cream in her freezer. Just in case, you know what I mean, don’t you?

She put on The Notebook, wrapped herself up in her blanket, and of course, her little whiskered guardian joined her on the couch. Little did she know that her furbaby would try the ultimate comfort food. And now – drama mode is activated!

We often panic in stressful situations and can’t think straight. I’m sure if I’d called her, she’d have calmed me down and guided me through everything I had to do since my mischievous feline is always causing me trouble.

I guess it was time for the roles to be reversed. I needed to calm her down. We had to find the answer to the question that was now bugging both of us…

Can cats eat chocolate ice cream?

If you’re anything like me, you could eat ice cream all the time. Of course, you have a favorite flavor, but anything that can refresh you during those hot summer days is welcomed. I also like to eat ice cream during the winter, when it’s snowing or raining. Basically, at all hours.

However, we’re here to talk about a specific topic and it’s all about your fluffy baby. So, can cats eat chocolate ice cream?

Well, the short answer is no! It’s not recommended for cats to eat chocolate, or chocolate ice cream either. Unfortunately, it can be toxic for your furry friend if consumed in large doses.

When it comes to chocolate ice cream specifically, we’ll go through all of its ingredients and explain why neither of them is a good choice for your cat.

What ingredients go into chocolate ice cream?

So, in order to analyze why chocolate ice cream is not good for your cat, we’ll break it down to its ingredients and make it clearer why cats can’t eat this delicious treat.

First of all, you know that each ice cream, regardless of its flavor, contains milk and sugar. To add some specific taste to it, something else is introduced to the basic mixture.

In this case, it’s the cocoa powder that contains a substance that is highly poisonous to felines. Chocolate, in general, contains some additional ingredients that are not healthy either.

So, in order to give a complete answer to this question, let’s quickly go through all of them individually.

1. Milk

Some people are lactose intolerant, but when it comes to cats, it’s another story. Obviously, when they are young, they drink milk like any other mammal. But as they grow up, they turn to their real nature of being carnivorous animals, losing the intestinal enzyme that breaks down lactose.

Most adult cats are therefore lactose intolerant and, like us, they can suffer stomach upsets and related digestive problems. They may have diarrhea or cramps, which aren’t pleasant – neither for your kitto nor for you when you need to clean that litterbox.

In case the problem gets a bit more serious, it would be good to contact your vet.

2. Sugar

When it comes to this part of your favorite delicacy, it’s not extremely bad for your kitty, but best avoided. Sugary food can negatively affect your cat’s digestive system as it’s not so easy for them to process food that contains added sugars.

Besides, cats are not able to taste sugar because their taste buds don’t have sweet receptors. The big downside, however, is that if they consume a lot of sweets, their blood sugar levels may increase, which can lead to feline diabetes.

3. Additional ingredients

In order for ice cream to have that addicting taste that you love so much, producers often add artificial flavors, sweeteners, and food extracts. None of these are good for your kitty’s health.

Most of them are pretty tough for felines to digest, causing them to have stomach problems that could be avoided otherwise.

4. Why is cocoa not good for cats?

Okay, now’s the time to talk about the main ingredient of chocolate ice cream – cocoa powder. This is what turns that simple no into a big fat NO when asking if your cat can eat chocolate ice cream.

Cocoa powder contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are extremely toxic to cats, even in small doses. Don’t panic! If your cat licked the bowl that you just used; that doesn’t mean it will send your furry ball of happiness to kitty heaven right away.

If you suspect your furbaby has consumed chocolate because she’s behaving a bit oddly, don’t hesitate to consult the vet.

Chocolate poisoning: What to do if this happens?

When you open a box of chocolate ice cream, that heavenly scent instantly makes you happy. Am I the only one craving at least a little spoon of my favorite sweetened frozen food?

Your feline friend doesn’t know that consuming ice cream can get them in big trouble because they react to fatty food and they can smell the milk and cream that was used to make the delicacy.

I assume that not a single cat will even try to taste plain chocolate – at least mine never did – but it gets a bit tricky when we’re talking about chocolate ice cream.

Don’t overreact if your fluffy ball of happiness has stolen a small nibble. There’s not enough chocolate in that amount of ice cream to be life-threatening.

However, if your kitty consumed a large amount of chocolate, the best is to take her to the vet ASAP since the worst-case scenario may happen. The clinic will provide her the adequate medical treatment and help her to get through the recovery period quickly.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, panting, restlessness or hyperactivity, and even seizures, and coma. She may also experience abdominal pain, cramps, and labored breathing.

In spite of these horrible things that may happen, each feline is individual. That is to say, the way your pet may react to chocolate is not the same as how my kitto would.

Like people, some cats are more sensitive, while others can handle more. Their reaction to chocolate consumption varies a lot depending on your cat’s weight, diet, age, and overall health. Also, it greatly depends on the exact amount of chocolate they ate.

Brain freeze – cats can get it!

One of the worse things that can happen when your cat eats ice cream is actually a brain freeze. Yes, felines can get it and they have no idea what or why it happened.

Although it may seem cute to see those silly facial expressions cats make, in reality, it’s actually pretty painful for them. This happens when they consume cold food, not necessarily only ice cream.

These furry angels experience brain freeze almost the same way we do. The blood flow to their brain decreases and all they can feel at that moment is sharp pain. So if you feel like something weird is happening, or you’ve seen one of those facial expressions, rather grab your cat and take her to the vet.

Adequate replacement for ice cream

As it normally goes, there is plenty of replacement food for people, so why wouldn’t cats have that privilege as well? Aren’t they the kings and queens of our households?

Since we concluded that cats can’t eat chocolate ice cream, it would only be fair of me to give you a couple of ideas to make your furbaby’s tastebuds happy.

1. Cat-friendly ice cream!

You read that correctly, there is an ice cream specifically for cats! It’s become more common recently and the best thing about it is that it’s highly nutritious. It has everything that makes it a perfect, healthy snack for your little purrer.

Cat ice cream is flavored in a way that any carnivore would lick their paws after eating it! Fish, chicken, beef – you name it. They taste like everything your cat likes!

There are other flavors as well that your buddy may not be a fan of, so make sure you always serve small food portions. And don’t serve it completely frozen, as you don’t want your cat’s brain to freeze!

2. Ice cubes

Sometimes you just want something plain, no additives, no color, no specific taste. For your furbaby, plain ice cubes are incredibly entertaining. You can serve them in their water bowl and that way stimulate their hydration.

You can serve them ice cubes every day if you’re in the mood to give them a refreshing and quick snack. Be ready for a little bit of mess and water droplets all around the house if she decides to take the ice cubes out and play around with them.

You can also freeze a bit more water, for example, the amount of a small plastic cup, and give it to your cat so she can play and stay hydrated throughout the day. Coldness fascinates most felines and she will feel the thrill every time she licks something icy.

3. Catnip cubes

Another great thing you can do is to put some catnip into ice cubes – your cat is going to love this!

It has all the benefits we’ve previously mentioned when it comes to the ice cubes, and you just add the catnip effect. Eating catnip may calm cats down, just make sure that you don’t use too much of it.

Even if it doesn’t have a bad effect in general, higher doses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or your cat may have trouble walking. You don’t want any of these to happen, so be careful while preparing this cat delight.

4. Frozen or chilled wet food

One simple trick that you can do is actually freeze your cat’s wet food – as simple as that. Just put them in molds, even different shapes if you want to make it a bit more interesting, and pop them in the freezer long enough to freeze solid.

Whatever you do, don’t add milk to make the food more watery, for reasons we’ve mentioned earlier. If you really have to, you can use lactose-free cat milk or the one that has lactase enzyme added. You may find these in specified pet shops but limit the intake of these nonetheless.

Frozen bone broth is another thing they will enjoy for sure, so why not give it a go! Also, you can simply chill their food without freezing it because it will give them the same sensation and they will definitely enjoy their meal.

In the end, I’m sorry that I was the one who needed to tell you that your furbaby cannot enjoy your favorite treat with you. But, if you want to make her a part of your chill family routine (pun intended), you can always serve her some of the alternatives that we’ve suggested.

I hope you’ve found all the answers you needed and don’t think twice next time someone asks you if cats can eat chocolate ice cream.

“One little bite won’t do her any harm”, you think to yourself as you watch her walk away with your baked-to-perfection chocolate chip cookie. “Oh, wait”, a moment of panic finally settles in. “Cats can’t eat chocolate!”

Unfortunately for everyone involved, you’re entirely correct. Your furry friend isn’t supposed to eat chocolate and she certainly isn’t supposed to eat cookies. According to our friends over at the ASPCA, some of the most common cookie ingredients aren’t considered safe for your cat.

It’s your responsibility to provide your feline friend with everything she needs to be happy and healthy. She needs lots of cuddles and kisses for the first part. But, she also needs lots of delicious and nutritious cat-friendly food for the latter.

So, you made the right call when you decided to look up “can cats eat cookies.” Not only are these mouthwatering morsels dangerous for your furry friend, but they’re also miles away from what she’s supposed to be eating on a regular basis.

Scroll down and learn everything you need to know about the complicated relationship between cats and cookies. Let’s start from the beginning!

Cats and cookies

As a pet parent, chances are you’ve heard the famous “cats are obligate carnivores” line on more than one occasion. What do we mean by that? Scientifically speaking, cats should consume meat, animal protein, and animal-sourced nutrients for the most part.

When you think about it, your furry friend spends most of her days enjoying herself on your sofa waiting for you to feed her carefully crafted cat food and surprise her with a well-deserved cat treat. But, she wouldn’t be doing that if she was in the wild, now would she?

You might be wondering “well, what does that have to do with cookies?” Well, cats are supposed to eat heaps of meat as the main part of their diet. They don’t really need carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables for the same things humans do.

They derive their energy from protein, and (when they’re in the wild) they get most of their vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the stomach contents of their prey. While that might sound gross to your precious purrincess, that’s what she was biologically predisposed to do.

Cookies don’t really fall under that category. This means your feline friend would have a hard time trying to digest them since her digestive system isn’t equipped to deal with whatever ingredients you can find in most cookies.

And, cats can’t even taste sweet things! Not only does their digestive system not have the necessary enzymes to process carbohydrates, but their tongues also don’t have the necessary taste receptors to taste sweet things.

They only have a few hundred taste buds. That’s pretty small in comparison with the thousands of taste buds most humans have. Doesn’t that sound like the weirdest thing since cats are so much more superior than humans in pretty much everything else?!

So, can cats eat cookies?

It’s pretty clear your feline friend isn’t interested in your freshly baked shortbread cookies because you did such a great job. She’s interested in them because she’s a curious creature and she wants to check whether they’re worth the hype.

So, can cats eat cookies? Of any kind? Here’s the thing, cookies are typically made with a bunch of ingredients that might send your cat running to her litter box. Or even worse, that might send her to the nearest emergency animal center. Here’s a list of some of the ingredients we’re talking about.

• Butter (unsalted butter, salted butter, margarine)
• Sugar
• Salt
• Artificial sweeteners (Xylitol)
• Eggs
• Flour
• Vanilla extract
• Chocolate (dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, chocolate chips)
• Peanut butter
• Nuts

Unfortunately, most of these ingredients are considered toxic to cats. They can cause an array of digestive issues including an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting. But, they can also lead to gastrointestinal problems, weight gain, obesity, and diabetes in the long run.

It’s safe to say that cats can’t eat cookies. It’s your responsibility to take care of your cat’s safety. And it’s better for everyone to keep those cookies hidden out of her paw’s reach. While small quantities of cookies (one or two bites) shouldn’t cause too much harm, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Three reasons why cats can’t eat cookies

You came here looking for an answer to your “can cats eat cookies” question, but you still need more convincing because your cat keeps giving you that look? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

It’s pretty clear that most of the ingredients we’ve talked about beforehand aren’t favorable for your cat. But, you might be wondering what happens if and when she does eat them. Will she experience minor bumps on the road or will she need an emergency vet visit?

1. Bad ingredients

What’s the number one thing to remember when you’re trying to figure out whether cats can eat cookies? Take a look at the ingredients list! Let’s be honest, most cat owners know which human foods put their cat’s life at risk and which get a passing grade.

For instance, ingredients like butter, margarine, and oil have a high-fat content. They might cause your furry friend to gain weight and experience heaps of health problems in the long run. Sugar, salt, and flour might lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive issues.

And then you have chocolate and vanilla extract which are incredibly toxic to cats! Vanilla extract contains a high level of ethyl alcohol which can lead to alcohol poisoning. Chocolate, on the other hand, contains theobromine which can increase your cat’s heart rate and cause seizures and tremors.

Both of these ingredients, when consumed in excessive amounts, can be fatal to your precious pet. It’s safe to say that it’s better to avoid any situation in which she might be tempted to scoff down any leftover cookies you might be keeping within her reach.

2. Gastrointestinal issues

Here’s the thing, regardless of the ingredients list your feline friend isn’t likely to experience adverse reactions from one bite. Cats can’t eat cookies as a regular part of their diet, but a “just this one time” sweet snack shouldn’t send her running to her litter box.

However, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your cat’s health. As mentioned in one of the previous paragraphs, chocolate chip cookies and other cookies that contain toxic ingredients don’t belong anywhere near your cat’s reach.

You can’t predict whether she’s going to take one bite or scoff down the entire jar. You might be looking at hours and hours of excessive thirst and urination, incoordination, weakness, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Consult with your vet before making any significant changes to your cat’s diet, but… Contact your vet immediately if you have any reason to believe she might have eaten a chocolate chip cookie or a shortbread cookie. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

3. Allergies and intolerances

Last but not least, there are certain ingredients that might trigger your cat’s allergies and intolerances. Not only can cats be allergic to different nuts and seeds, but they can also be intolerant to lactose. Yes, you read that right!

Kittens can process and break down their mother’s milk, but once they’re fully grown they lose the enzyme that’s responsible for that part of the job. They no longer require milk as a regular part of their diet so they don’t need the enzyme to break it down.

What happens when a lactose-intolerant cat eats a cookie that was made with milk (or any other dairy product)? Some of the most common symptoms she might experience are tummy ache, vomiting, and diarrhea.

So, it certainly doesn’t hurt to repeat that you should consult with your vet before making any significant changes to your cat’s diet. Cookies are always a great idea for you, but it seems as if they’re never a good idea for your cat.

Can cats eat peanut butter cookies?

There are so many different types of cookies and you might be wondering whether any of them are safe for your four-legged friend. Can cats eat peanut butter cookies, for instance?

No, peanut butter cookies shouldn’t be a regular part of your cat’s diet. They’re high fat, high sodium, and calorie-dense. And that certainly doesn’t sound like the best combination when it comes to your cat’s nutritional needs.

They can also lead to allergic reactions (yes, cats can be allergic to peanuts), gastrointestinal upset, and artificial sweeteners toxicity (yes, xylitol can be toxic to cats). And when you give it a second thought, there’s pretty much nothing good about feeding peanut butter cookies to your furry friend.

What about butter cookies?

No, cats can’t eat butter cookies. The main ingredient of these delicious delicacies, butter, doesn’t seem to be particularly gentle on your cat’s tummy. Not only are cats lactose intolerant, but they also can’t process that much fat without serious repercussions.

Don’t get me wrong, your cat can take a bite of your butter cookie without having to run to her litter box. But, you should probably stash the rest someplace she won’t be able to reach. You don’t want her to eat too many butter cookies at once – speaking from my own experience.

And, don’t feed your cat cookies before you consult with your vet.

Can cats eat chocolate chip cookies?

Eating chocolate cakes, chocolate chip cookies, or anything covered in chocolate in front of your four-legged friend seems like the worst idea you can ever have. Cats and chocolate don’t go together, and you can only hope you never learn that the hard way.

Dark chocolate (or even baking chocolate) seem to be the worst out of the bunch since they contain the most theobromine and caffeine. But, your cat should steer clear of pretty much anything that contains any type of chocolate.

According to our friends over at the ASPCA, chocolate seems to be the worst thing you can find in your cat’s mouth. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning (yes, that’s a thing) include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, weakness, hyperthermia, tachycardia, and seizures.

So no, cats can’t eat chocolate chip cookies.

What about sugar cookies?

Sugar cookies typically contain sugar, flour, butter, eggs, and vanilla. While they’re not as bad as chocolate chip cookies, they simply don’t bring any nutritional value to your cat’s table.

Additionally, vanilla extract can be pretty harmful to cats when consumed in excessive amounts. Even on the off chance that your sugar cookies don’t contain any vanilla extract, they still contain a bunch of refined sugar, butter, and flour.

Too much fat and too many carbs can lead to heaps of health issues such as weight gain, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and liver disease. While one sugar cookie won’t cause any of these health issues, who’s to say your curious creature won’t eat more than one!?

So no, cats can’t eat sugar cookies.

Can cats eat Oreo cookies?

You can guess this one yourself, but no, cats can’t eat Oreo cookies. Remember what we said about chocolate being toxic to cats? While Oreos don’t typically contain any chocolate, they do contain cocoa powder.

Too much cocoa powder can raise your cat’s blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Not only that, but the cocoa powder can also lead to all sorts of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases when consumed over a longer period of time.

Unfortunately, Oreo cookies contain A LOT of cocoa powder which makes them harmful to your four-legged friend. You can always choose to look at this problem from the bright side, this simply means more Oreos for you and less (or none) for your cat.

What about shortbread cookies?

Your grandma’s favorite shortbread cookies don’t make the cut, either. They’re packed with vanilla, butter, and sugar. These ingredients can only lead to a bunch of health problems when consumed over a longer period of time.

One shortbread cookie every once and a while shouldn’t cause any adverse reaction (consult with your vet beforehand), but… It’s better to keep the cookie consumption to a minimum. After all, cats with sensitive tummies are at risk of experiencing discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Cats can’t eat shortbread cookies. It’s safe to say that you should take your ice cream and cookies and eat them somewhere far away from your curious creature.

And what about raw cookie dough?

No, no, and once again, no! Cats can’t eat raw cookie dough for a number of reasons. But, the most important one does have a scientific explanation…

When your cat consumes raw dough, the yeast that’s inside the dough begins the process of something that’s typically referred to as alcoholic fermentation.

Technically speaking, the yeast combined with the bacteria and microorganisms that can be found in your cat’s stomach converts the sugar from the cookie dough into alcohol and carbon dioxide. And, you guessed it, both of these things are toxic to cats.

Cats can’t eat cookies, but…

You can always make them from scratch and surprise your four-legged friend with a tasty treat! Trust me, there are so many cookie recipes to choose from. You’re bound to find something you can share with your cat without that all too familiar “can cats eat cookies” mini heart attack.

Cats are curious creatures, so it’s only natural for them to stick their nose where it doesn’t belong. They can come off as rude sometimes, but it doesn’t matter. We love our furry friends to bits, so it’s no problem sharing our food with them!

That is until it becomes a problem.

Some human foods are fine for felines to consume, but others aren’t welcome in the cat world as much. It’s because people and cats are built differently.

The stuff we eat can’t suit our pets’ diet and it certainly can’t replace their natural choice of food. They have their own dietary requirements and every responsible cat parent should follow them.

You may think that snacks won’t do them any harm, but unfortunately, you’d be wrong in many cases. Although a stolen bite or two isn’t likely to cause immediate damage, it’s still a reason for concern.

Moreover, cats can easily get hooked on sweets and junk food just like we do. Once the seal is broken, it’s hard getting them back on regular cat food.

Can cats eat Twizzlers safely?

These sweet snacks hold no nutritional value for cats. Therefore, it’s safe to conclude that they are unnecessary in their diet.

However, if she sneaks off with some Twizzlers or you drop some on the floor, it shouldn’t bother you. Small and unintentional amounts can be forgiven and it’s not likely to provoke problems right away.

Still, this doesn’t mean you should continue dropping these on the ground on purpose. Cats are carnivores who follow a strict diet to help them grow and develop. She won’t get any needed nutrients from plain sweets such as these.

If you’re wondering whether Twizzlers are safe for cats, the short answer would be no. There are a lot of health concerns when it comes to these stringy-looking sweets. It doesn’t help that the shape and the color are attractive to your furball.

Just as we all know, felines aren’t hard to entice. They’re drawn to literally ANYTHING that they can play with and investigate further.

However, it’s safe to say that Twizzlers shouldn’t be a part of a cat’s diet.

What are Twizzlers?

The name is often mixed with licorice candy because of the black Twizzlers. It contains extracts of the licorice plant, hence the dark color of the sweets.

Probably the most popular ones are strawberry red Twizzlers. Other flavors include chocolate, grape, cherry, as well as watermelon. They’re fun-looking, they taste good, and they’re nice to the eye. You’d think these are a real catch for your furry companion.

However, you’re deceived because there isn’t anything good coming out of cats eating Twizzlers. They contain a range of ingredients that don’t have any health benefits for felines.

Moreover, if your cat indulges in these, they can be the reason behind various health problems. It’s not an easy job being a cat parent and you must always beware of the dangers certain foods pose.

What are the health concerns?

So, can cats eat Twizzlers? The short answer to this question is no. Why is that? Thanks to all of the ingredients found in these snacks, Twizzlers are off-limits for cats.

They can be tough on your pet’s digestive system which isn’t built for breaking down candy. If the food doesn’t have nutritional benefits, then it’s unnecessary.

When you think of it, cats are pretty simple creatures. They don’t digest things that aren’t meant for them. However, this calls for major trouble later on.

1. Loads of sugar

Sugar is one of the main reasons why cats should stay away from the Twizzlers. It’s abundant in candies like these, gummy bears, and others.

However, it’s detrimental to a feline’s health. It’s nothing other than carbohydrates which aren’t necessary for a cat’s health.

Actually, quite the opposite. If your pet has regular access to sweets and loads of sugar, then she could be in real trouble. Sugar is known to cause dental issues in pets such as tooth decay. Besides, we all know what follows with excessive carbs and calorie intake.

Chubby pets are an attraction, but have you ever wondered how they feel trapped in their own body? Also, it’s not as cute when you find out it can lead to the development of diabetes.

2. Artificial flavors and sweeteners

When your pet comes across sweets such as Twizzlers or jelly, there’s a lot you should be concerned about.

Next to the sugar, they’re packed with artificial flavors that don’t have a place in your cat’s tummy. Moreover, they can be poisonous.

One of these toxic sweeteners is known as xylitol. In most cases, candies cause a stomach upset in pets and you’ll be thankful if it stays that way. Xylitol can build up in a cat’s digestive system and cause problems. It decreases blood sugar levels, and in severe cases, causes liver damage and ends up in seizures.

The best way you can avoid this tragedy from taking place is to refrain from feeding your cat Twizzlers or any other store-bought candies.

3. Can cats eat Twizzlers because of the licorice?

Black licorice is used for making the black Twizzlers, hence the name and the color of the candy. While they’re perfect for our taste, I’m not sure your pet will agree with you.

Even though felines are curious, it’s usually the form and the shape of the food that draws them in. The flavor probably isn’t the reason why they’re so keen on taking a bite or two.

The thing is, cats can’t taste the sweet aroma of these licorice candies. They lack the required taste buds that would allow them to pick up the flavor. Don’t be sad because this can only come in handy to you as a cat parent. Sweets aren’t natural to pets, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.

Some argue that licorice can have particular health benefits to felines; e.g. the licorice root contains anti-inflammatory properties. On the contrary, others strongly deny it. Whatever it might be, the good news is that it’s not poisonous to pets.

However, you’re still not out of the woods. Black licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound found in it that works as an emulsifier. This chemical is known to decrease the levels of potassium while causing high blood pressure.

Consequently, this can lead to certain health issues. Potassium is a mineral that is essential for the growth of the muscles and the development of nerve functions. In severe cases, hypokalemia may occur as a consequence of glycyrrhizic acid poisoning.

Can cats eat red licorice candy?

Red licorice isn’t actually made from licorice, it’s just a name that’s caught on. Instead of licorice extract, we can find various flavors in red Twizzlers.

Can cats eat red Twizzlers if they’re natural? Well, the word natural here seems to be a bit deceiving.

Red licorice candy is made from ingredients such as cherries, strawberries, and watermelon. These are mixed with some wheat flour and corn syrup. Even though some of these sound healthy, the candy is not what it seems to be.

The ingredients used in the Twizzlers are highly processed and packed with different preservatives. They contain additional artificial flavors and sweeteners.

Therefore, while they may sound healthy for your cat, they certainly are not!

To sum up

Can cats eat Twizzlers? I hope I got the weight of this question off of your shoulders. As a cat parent, it’s already a given that certain foods will be a burden because they pose health hazards.

However, it’s up to us to protect our furry friends from the dangers of human foods. Besides causing weight gain, junk foods like candies can cause lots of other health issues later on.