For people, it’s reasonable to grab a quick cup of coffee as we head out the door for work. Human bodies can, and sometimes need, to process caffeine. Cats, however, are a different story. You might be wondering if it’s safe for your pet to consume caffeine of any sort. So, can cats drink coffee?
Cats should not drink coffee. Caffeine is toxic to most animals and harmful to cats. Cats who drink too much coffee can suffer from caffeine poisoning. Creamers and sugars should also be avoided.
Caffeine can be harmful to cats. It also shows up in several surprising ways.
Is It Bad For Cats To Drink Coffee
Yes, it is bad for cats to drink coffee. It has nothing to do with the flavor or temperature of the drink, but more so to do with what’s in a cup of coffee. Coffee has a ton of ingredients that cats cannot easily digest. This includes caffeine, the main ingredient that can be toxic to cats if too much is ingested.
It’s essential to keep your pet away from coffee and other caffeine sources. Caffeine is sneaky and can be hiding in other things you might not be aware of. Not only is the caffeine a problem, but other ingredients, such as sugar, can cause inflammation, vomiting, or diarrhea. Another side effect is high blood pressure. Fluctuations in blood pressure could lead to heart problems and can be fatal. Pets might also experience tremors and muscle spasms.
Can Cats Have Coffee Creamer
A lot of people connect cats with drinking milk from a saucer. Despite the stereotype, cats should avoid dairy products. Cats are lactose intolerant, and large amounts of milk or creamer can upset their stomach. If we think about this logically, it starts to make sense.
A mother’s milk, regardless of species, is to provide nutrients for the baby to help them grow. The nutrients are specially made for that specific species.
Most of what humans drink is cows milk, which technically has the lactose and nutrients for a baby cow. These nutrients are not suitable for a cat’s body or their digestive system. Like lactose-intolerant people, a small amount might be okay, but too much can be a digestive disaster.
A lot of coffee creamers are also high in sugars and additives. International delight, and other brands, have flavored creamers. Flavors such as Oreo, Sugar Cookie, and Snickers, have too many bad things for a cat. Artificial flavors, sugars, and processed foods can cause severe issues for your cat’s digestive tract. Diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating are all common symptoms for a cat who had too much of a dairy product and excess sugars.
Even unflavored creamers have been processed to take out the nutrients milk has. It is better to keep all creamers away from your cat, just to be safe. Most of the nutrients a cat needs are already in their food and treats.
Does Caffeine Work On Cats
Cats should not drink coffee, but that doesn’t stop all pet owners who are curious. For those who have tried this before, it should be quickly apparent to you that cats do not need coffee. The caffeine does not work and if anything is damaging to their overall health.
Unlike people, cats do not need a quick jolt of energy to wake them up in the morning. They’re probably the ones waking you up right when the sun is up. This is entirely normal. Cats might seem lazy during the day, but at night and early mornings, they get quick bursts of energy because they act on their natural hunting instinct.
Cats also don’t need coffee, because they don’t mind taking naps to recharge their batteries. A majority of animals do not need stimulants. Humans have developed the stereotypical coffee addiction on their own. If humans were to get enough sleep, we wouldn’t need the morning cup either.
Not only do cats not need it, but it is also toxic to them. If you have ever had too much caffeine, you might remember the uncomfortable side effects, such as upset stomach, shakiness, and hyperactivity. Cats are smaller and more sensitive to caffeine because they have not built up a tolerance.
How Much Coffee Is Bad For Cats
If your cat were to accidentally drink coffee, there is no need to panic just yet. Cats can consume a small amount of coffee before they get sick. A sip here and there will not harm them. If a cat were to drink anywhere from 1/4 cup or more of coffee, then you would be in for a trip to the vet.
Outside of just the coffee in liquid form, if a cat were to eat coffee grounds, they would get sick much faster.
With that in mind, it’s important to keep an eye on where you leave your caffeine products in the home. It might be surprising to learn where caffeine is hiding in our house. It’s more than a simple cup of coffee. Some products can hide caffeine, and other products may surprise you at how much caffeine is in them.
Thankfully, cats are pretty smart and will generally avoid things that they should not be getting into. However, there is always a potential that they could get themselves into some trouble. Some cats do like to explore and try people’s food, or maybe they are feeling extra naughty.
The following list provides some everyday items that contain caffeine and could be harmful to your pet.
● Coffee
● Diet pills
● Energy drinks
● Work out supplements- such as pre-workout
● Chocolate
● Green tea
● Black tea
● Hot coco
● Menstrual/ PMS relief medication
● Headache/migraine relief medication
● Some juices
● Some water enhancers- things with the word “energy” on the label.
What’s shocking about several drinks is the amount of caffeine in some of them. For example, the popular Arizona Green Tea had 200 mg of caffeine. Energy drinks have 300 mg. Even juices and Propel waters have high amounts of caffeine. If a product has the word “energy” on it, it is safe to assume it contains caffeine.
Particular medicine, especially menstrual and headache medications, contain caffeine. These might help people feel better, but if a cat accidentally swallows one, it could be fatal.
If you are concerned about your cat getting into diet or pain pills, be sure you have them in a cabinet with the cap on tightly. If the bottle is left out with the lid loose, the cat might knock it down and investigate the spill (cats love to knock stuff over). Small pills might resemble cat treats or kibble, which might entice the cat to try a bite.
As for food and drink, again, be sure it is a pantry or fridge. These items should not be left out for a curious cat to get ahold of.
Caffeine Toxicity And Pets
Caffeine is harmful to pets. A lick or two of spilled coffee might not cause serious harm, but too much can be fatal. If you suspect your kitty got into some caffeinated product, keep a close watch, and be aware of any symptoms. Symptoms could last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
Caffeine toxicity symptoms include the following:
● High blood pressure
● Irregular heartbeat
● Increased temperature
● Tremors
● Seizures
● Collapse
● Hyperactivity
● Restlessness
● Vomiting
● Elevated heart rate
The severity and length of the symptoms depend on how much caffeine was ingested. Small amounts say a simple lick of a chocolate bar, will probably have no ill effect. However, swallowing a diet pill is deadly.
If your cat is restless for a small amount of time, there is probably no reason to take them a vet. Also, note that vomiting is somewhat of a good thing. It’s sad to see our kitties throwing up, but it’s the body’s way of purging any harmful toxins that got ingested. If throwing up continues to happen, take them to the vet.
If more symptoms become present or they last a long time, see your vet immediately. It is not a smart idea to handle the care yourself; leave this to a professional. Do not give your pet any perceived antidote and do not induce vomiting.
It is best to let a vet take care of your pet when they’ve had a bad experience with caffeine. Doctors have the knowledge and experience to help your cat and prevent further harm.
Conclusion
So, if you were wondering if cats should have coffee, the answer is a resounding no. It’s just not worth testing even if your cat is lazy. Caffeine is not for animal consumption.
Cats should not have coffee, nor should they have the other ingredients that make up a cup of joe. First, they simply don’t need it as humans do. Cats don’t mind catching a quick nap to recharge their batteries. Second, high amounts of caffeine can be toxic to cats. Various symptoms, such as high blood pressure and seizures, require medical attention immediately.
To avoid your cat getting into trouble, make sure all medicine bottles have the lid tightly screwed on and stored safely. If you suspect your cat ingest high amounts of caffeine, see your vet immediately.
My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!
Along with our team of cat owners, expert pet enthusiasts, and pet professionals, we aim to write engaging helpful, engaging content about cats. At FAQCats we strive to provide content that’s accurate and fun to read. Our team writes about everything related to cats; even the most complex of topics. Through extensive research and caring for our own fur-pals, we’re able to provide something cat owners worldwide will love. Have a look around, and leave us feedback anytime!