Cats and Caffeine: Is It Safe for Them?

It's crucial to understand that cats should never ingest any caffeine. A professor at Cornell University has pointed out that when a pet consumes 14 milligrams of caffeine per pound of body weight, side effects can occur. At doses of 23 to 27 milligrams per pound, more severe and potentially lifethreatening reactions may arise.

Keep Your Cat Away from Caffeine

Be aware that the dangers of caffeine extend beyond just sipping from your tea or coffee cup. Pets can harm themselves by swallowing unroasted coffee beans or tea bags, coffee grounds, filters, and even bags found in the trash. Therefore, it's essential to keep your pet away from countertops, close cabinets and food pantries, and securely lid all trash cans. These simple precautions can greatly aid in preventing inquisitive pets from harming themselves.

Many overthecounter medications also contain high levels of caffeine. This includes weight loss pills, alertness aids, and even treatments for severe headaches. Although liquid caffeine poisoning is relatively rare, some of these pills can be fatal. Therefore, never leave medication bottles or loose pills within reach of unattended pets.

Signs of Cat Poisoning

Even with the best efforts, it's not enough to keep cats and dogs out of trouble. With so many hidden dangers in a typical household, it's vital for pet owners to accurately identify the signs of caffeine poisoning. These signs include:

1. Restlessness

2. Ataxia (elevated heart rate)

3. Emotional collapse

4. Excessive panting

5. Hyperactivity

6. Anxiety

7. Seizures

8. Vomiting

In most cases, these symptoms will begin to appear within an hour of ingestion. If your cat shows any of these warning signs, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Treating Cat Poisoning

Acting quickly is a crucial step in helping a cat recover from caffeine poisoning. If a dog or cat is taken to the emergency room promptly, the veterinarian may induce vomiting to stop the absorption of caffeine. In more severe or latestage cases, intravenous therapy can help flush your pet's digestive system. Treatment may last up to 48 hours, but it is usually successful if started early.

As with all types of poisoning, preventing caffeine poisoning is always preferable to treating it.