Caffeine is a fairly common chemical found in many household food and beverage products. You may enjoy a caffeinated beverage in the morning, a cup of coffee or tea, to help you wake up.
You may also snack on chocolate from time to time, which also contains caffeine. But what happens if your cat eats or drinks something containing caffeine?
What Is Caffeine Poisoning in Cats?
When a cat eats or drinks caffeine, it is absorbed into their body rather quickly and can cause symptoms to rapidly develop.
Caffeine travels throughout the body and increases the contraction of skeletal muscles and the muscles of the heart.
It does this by affecting certain receptors in the body and causing the release of various hormones produced by the adrenal glands. This leads to effects such as an increased heart rate, hyperactivity, and muscle tremors.
Caffeine poisoning occurs because cats are much more sensitive to caffeine than humans. Their body cannot metabolize it effectively, leading to toxic effects even from small amounts.
This toxicity can result in serious health problems and, if left untreated, can even be fatal.
Coffee vs. Caffeine
When we think about caffeine, coffee is often the first thing that comes to mind. But caffeine actually comes from plants, and it is commonly found in a variety of products.
Beverages such as coffee, tea, soda, and energy drinks can all contain caffeine, and if your cat drinks enough of any of these beverages, it can potentially lead to caffeine poisoning.
Products such as diet pills, energy supplements, and certain medications may also contain caffeine and can be even more dangerous due to their higher concentration.
Caffeinated beverages are not as concentrated as straight caffeine or diet pills; however, they can still be problematic if enough is ingested.
Not all caffeinated products are created equally, factors such as the type of product your cat consumed, the amount ingested, and your cat’s body weight are all key.
Since caffeinated beverages are less concentrated than other products, if your cat took a lick or two of your favorite caffeinated beverage, it would likely not be enough to cause negative effects. But drinking larger amounts may cause concern.
Types of Caffeine Poisonous to Cats
Virtually any product containing caffeine can potentially be poisonous to cats, but some of the most common items containing caffeine include:
Coffee (beans, grounds, and brewed coffee)
Tea (loose leaf, bags, and brewed)
Other caffeinated drinks (soda, energy drinks)
Chocolate
Diet pills
Caffeine pills
Caffeinated gum
Symptoms of Caffeine Poisoning in Cats
Caffeine can affect many body systems in cats and cause a variety of symptoms, including:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abnormal behavior
Restlessness/hyperactivity/agitation
Open-mouth breathing
Elevated heart rate
Muscle tremors
Unsteadiness while walking
Seizures
Elevated body temperature
Dehydration
My Cat Ingested Caffeine. Now What?
If your cat ingests caffeine or drinks a caffeinated beverage, the best thing to do is call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661. They can help determine if your cat consumed enough caffeine to cause poisoning.
Not all caffeinated products are created equally, so factors such as the type of product your cat consumed, the amount ingested, and your cat’s body weight are all key.
When calling your veterinarian or the helpline, try to offer detailed information about the product your cat ingested.
In some cases, inducing vomiting can help rid the body of caffeine before it is absorbed into the bloodstream. However, there is no safe method to induce vomiting in your cat at home. Attempting to do so can have catastrophic effects, as your cat may suffer from complications depending on what is used to induce vomiting.
If your cat has consumed a toxic dose of caffeine, they need to be evaluated at a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.
How Veterinarians Treat Caffeine Poisoning in Cats
If your cat ingests a toxic dose of caffeine, your veterinarian may start with decontamination to prevent further absorption.
This can involve inducing vomiting—with the expertise and appropriate tools to safely do so—and administering medical-grade activated charcoal, depending on the timing of the exposure and whether your cat is showing symptoms.
The severity of symptoms from caffeine poisoning depends on how much caffeine was consumed, which will dictate how aggressively your cat needs to be treated.
Treatment typically involves hospitalization at a veterinary clinic, where your cat’s heart rate, temperature, and behavior will be closely monitored.
Symptomatic and supportive care may include fluid support, sedatives for hyperactivity, and medications to control heart rate, muscle tremors, and seizures.
Symptoms of caffeine poisoning can last for 12 to 36 hours, so your cat may need to remain in the clinic overnight for monitoring and treatment.
Long-term medications are generally not required, and as long as your cat receives prompt medical care after an exposure to caffeine, no residual effects are typically expected once your cat recovers.
Prevention of Caffeine Poisoning in Cats
Cats are very inquisitive by nature and tend to knock things over, such as cups and pill vials, which can lead to exposure to caffeine.
To prevent your cat from ingesting caffeine, it is important to keep caffeine-containing supplement bottles in a locked cabinet and make sure caps are securely tightened on medication bottles that might be left out.
It is also helpful to take your medication in a room with the door closed or latched shut, so that any dropped tablets or capsules can be picked up before your cat has access to them.
When drinking caffeinated beverages, make sure your cup has a lid or keep it in an area that your cat cannot reach. This helps prevent your cat from drinking your beverage if it is left unattended.
WRITTEN BY
Pet Poison Helpline Veterinarian Team
Veterinarian
Pet Poison Helpline®, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours,...
