Is Cocoa Butter Safe for Cats? (What May Happen?)

There are a lot of myths out there about what is and isn’t safe for cats. So, when it comes to the question of whether or not cocoa butter is safe for cats, it can be hard to know what to believe.

In this blog post, I’ll take a look at the evidence surrounding cocoa butter and cats and help you decide for yourself if it’s something you should be using on your feline friend.

Spoiler Alert: I’m going to say that no, cocoa butter is not safe for cats. But read on to find out why!

Is Cocoa Butter Safe for Cats?

The short answer is no, cocoa butter is not safe for cats. The main reason for this is that cocoa butter contains theobromine, which is a toxic substance for cats.

Theobromine is a bitter alkaloid that is found in a number of plants, including cocoa beans. In humans, theobromine is metabolized relatively quickly and so it doesn’t pose much of a threat.

However, in cats (and other animals), theobromine is metabolized much more slowly. This means that it can build up to toxic levels in their system, leading to a number of potentially fatal health problems.

Why Cocoa Butter is Dangerous for Cats?

The main reason why cocoa butter is dangerous for cats is because of the theobromine it contains.

1. Theobromine is Toxic to Cats

As I mentioned, theobromine is an alkaloid that is found in a number of plants, including cocoa beans. In humans, theobromine is metabolized relatively quickly and so it doesn’t pose much of a threat.

However, in cats (and other animals), theobromine is metabolized much more slowly. This means that it can build up to toxic levels in their system, leading to a number of potentially fatal health problems.

2. Cats are More Sensitive to Theobromine than Humans

Cats are much more sensitive to theobromine than humans. In fact, it only takes around 10 grams of cocoa beans per kilogram of body weight to cause toxicity in cats.

For comparison, a human would need to eat around 1,000 grams of cocoa beans per kilogram of body weight to suffer from the same effects! This means that even a small amount of cocoa butter can be dangerous for cats.

3. Theobromine can Cause a Number of Health Problems in Cats

Theobromine can cause a number of health problems in cats, including vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and even death.

In fact, theobromine is so toxic to cats that it is used as a humane way to control feral cat populations in some parts of the world.

4. There is No Antidote for Theobromine Poisoning

There is no antidote for theobromine poisoning and so, if your cat does ingest cocoa butter (or any other product containing theobromine), it is important to take them to the vet immediately.

At the vet, they will likely give your cat activated charcoal, which can help to absorb the theobromine and reduce the severity of the toxicity.

5. Cocoa Butter is Not the Only Danger for Cats

It’s important to remember that cocoa butter is not the only danger for cats. In fact, any product that contains cocoa beans or chocolate can be dangerous for your feline friend.

This includes things like chocolate bars, chocolate chips, and even some types of dog biscuits (which often contain cocoa powder). So, if you have any of these products in your home, it’s important to keep them out of reach of your cat.

What May Happen If My Cat Eats Cocoa Butter?

If your cat eats cocoa butter, the chances are that they will suffer from vomiting and diarrhea. In some cases, they may also experience tremors, seizures, and an irregular heartbeat.

If you think that your cat has consumed cocoa butter (or any other product containing theobromine), it is important to take them to the vet immediately. The sooner they are treated, the better their chances of making a full recovery.

While the symptoms of theobromine poisoning can be unpleasant, they are usually not fatal if treated quickly. However, in some cases, cats may suffer from kidney failure or cardiac arrest as a result of the toxicity.

Possible Vet Treatments for Cocoa Butter Poisoning

If you take your cat to the vet after they have eaten cocoa butter, they will likely give them something to make them vomit. This will help to remove any remaining theobromine from their system.

Here I’ll go through all possible sequence of vet treatments for cocoa butter poisoning:

1. The cat will be given something to make them vomit. This will help to remove any remaining theobromine from their system.

2. The cat will be given IV fluids to help flush the theobromine out of their system and to prevent dehydration.

3. The cat will be monitored closely for any signs of seizures or cardiac arrhythmias. If necessary, they may be given medication to control these.

4. In some cases, it may be necessary to give the cat a blood transfusion if they are suffering from severe anemia as a result of the toxicity.

5. Once the cat is stable, they will be closely monitored for the next 24-48 hours to ensure that they make a full recovery.

As you can see, the treatment for cocoa butter poisoning in cats can be fairly intensive. However, if caught early, most cats will make a full recovery with no long-term effects.

How Can I Prevent My Cat From Eating Cocoa Butter?

If you want to prevent your cat from eating cocoa butter (or any other product containing theobromine), here is my advice:

1. Keep Cocoa Butter Out of Reach

The best way to prevent your cat from eating cocoa butter is to keep it out of their reach. This means keeping it in a cupboard or on a high shelf where they can’t get to it. A study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found that 50% of cats who ate chocolate were able to reach it by climbing on furniture.

2. Keep Your Cat Indoors

Another good way to prevent your cat from getting into cocoa butter (or any other theobromine-containing product) is to keep them indoors. This will reduce the chances of them coming into contact with such products.

3. Get Rid of Chocolate in Your Home

If you have chocolate in your home, it’s important to get rid of it. This includes chocolate bars, chocolate chips, and even some types of dog biscuits (which often contain cocoa powder). The best way to do this is to throw it away or give it to someone who doesn’t have a cat.

4. Get Professional Help

If you’re struggling to keep your cat away from cocoa butter or other theobromine-containing products, it’s important to get professional help. This can be in the form of a behaviorist or a veterinarian. They will be able to give you specific advice on how to deal with the situation.

My Final Thoughts

As you can see, cocoa butter can be very dangerous for cats. If ingested, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and an irregular heartbeat. In some cases, it can even lead to kidney failure or cardiac arrest.

If you think that your cat has eaten cocoa butter, it’s important to take them to the vet immediately. And, if you want to prevent your cat from getting into cocoa butter, it’s important to keep it out of their reach and to keep them indoors.

Lastly, I must say that as a cat parents, you should never give your cat any products containing theobromine, including cocoa butter. These products are simply too dangerous for cats and there is no way to guarantee their safety. If you want to give your cat a treat, there are plenty of safe options available. Stick with those and avoid anything that contains theobromine.