Chocolate Poisoning (Toxicosis) in Cats

Early symptoms like nausea and vomiting typically appear within less than an hour of ingestion. When larger amounts of chocolate are consumed and more serious symptoms develop, they are expected to peak within 6-12 hours of ingestion, and follow a predictable course. Minor symptoms such as excessive drinking, vomiting, diarrhea, and restlessness appear first. Depending on the dosage and size of the cat, more serious symptoms may follow, like hyperactivity, tremors, and seizures. If the ingested dose was sufficiently high, these serious symptoms can lead to respiratory failure and death.

Early symptoms of chocolate toxicosis may not progress if the dosage of toxin ingested is low. Nausea (drooling) and vomiting that goes away within a few minutes may indicate minor chocolate toxicosis and may not require medical attention.

Chocolate toxicosis is rare in cats. Chocolate is highly toxic to cats; a smaller dose per body weight is lethal to a cat than to a dog. The syndrome is reported less frequently in cats than in dogs because cats do not commonly eat chocolate, at least not in large quantities like dogs often do. Most cases of chocolate toxicosis in cats show only GI symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea because the cat didn’t eat enough to cause more severe symptoms.

The severity of and prognosis for chocolate toxicosis in cats varies depending on the amount and type of chocolate consumed as well as the cat’s body weight and health status.

Chocolate-containing foods such as baked goods are unlikely to cause symptoms other than vomiting and diarrhea, while darker chocolates or those high in methylxanthines may produce severe symptoms even in small doses.

Chocolate toxicity calculators (based on body weight vs. amount consumed) are available online and can provide pet parents with information about what symptoms are expected under specific circumstances, but professional advice from a veterinarian is recommended whenever a cat eats chocolate.

Minor symptoms such as salivation (drooling) and vomiting may be monitored at home. Emergency veterinary care is warranted for cats showing more serious symptoms such as hyperactivity, tremors, or seizures.

Chocolate toxicosis is caused by consumption of chocolate or chocolate-containing foods. The concentration of methylxanthines in the chocolate and the quantity consumed determine the extent of toxicity.

Diagnosis is based on the history of chocolate ingestion and the presence of typical clinical signs. When there is no known ingestion, evidence of chocolate in the vomit can aid in diagnosis.

The typical diagnostic plan for a cat suspected of having chocolate toxicosis includes physical examination and basic blood and urine tests. There is a specific blood test to measure the level of methylxanthines in the blood, but it is rarely ordered because most cases of chocolate toxicosis are diagnosed based on the presence of typical clinical signs and known ingestion of chocolate. Treatment typically involves induction of vomiting, activated charcoal, administration of IV fluids, and medications to counteract the presenting symptoms.

Although there is scant data on cats, the effects of chocolate toxicosis can last up to 4 days in dogs.

Treatment typically begins by inducing vomiting to decontaminate the GI system, and progresses to supportive care of symptoms (IV fluids, monitoring, and medications).

Note: induction of vomiting should only be performed by a veterinarian. There is no safe way to induce vomiting at home.

If life-threatening symptoms are present, like seizures or heart arrhythmias, those are typically addressed first with appropriate injectable medications.

Prognosis is primarily dependent on the amount of chocolate consumed, and how quickly treatment is initiated. Most cases of chocolate toxicosis in cats have a favorable prognosis, with no lasting effects expected, since cats tend to eat small quantities of chocolate when dietary indiscretions occur.

Chocolate toxicosis is not contagious to humans or other animals. Conscientious storage of chocolate and chocolate-containing foods away from pets’ access prevents chocolate toxicosis.

Chocolate toxicosis is rare in cats.

• Induction of vomiting
• Supportive care