Everyone loves a little treat, especially pets.

Halloween, in particular, gives way to even more options for satisfying your sweet tooth. For pet ownersThe spookiest part of the season may not be the goblins or ghouls; but the possibility of your pet eating something that will make it sick.

While we have a wide range of snack options, our furry friends have to be more selective.

Chocolate It is prohibited for dogs, but what about cats? This is how sweets can affect your health.

Can cats eat chocolate?

Cats should never eat chocolate. He is toxic to cats and dogs, PetMD reports. The two compounds found in chocolate: theobromine and caffeine − makes it fatal for cats, affecting their gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

Theobromine can be easily processed by humansso it is not a threat to us. Cats and other petsHowever, animals cannot quickly metabolize the alkaloid, reports The People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals. It takes between two and three hours for the human liver to absorb theobromine, while a dog’s liver takes about 18 hours, according to a 2005 study.

The small amounts of caffeine in chocolate are another riskreports Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Consumption of the stimulant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and increased heart rate in cats, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.

Chocolate candies also contain xylitol − a sweetener toxic to cats. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning They include vomiting, lethargy and seizures, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

How much chocolate is toxic to cats?

The amount of chocolate considered toxic to cats depends on their weight, as well as the type of chocolate they consumed.

For example, According to Petful, one square of unsweetened baking chocolate is as toxic as 23 chocolate kisses to a 10-pound cat.

What happens if a cat eats chocolate?

If your cat eats chocolate, take him to the vet as soon as possible for treatment.

Chocolate poisoning can appear within a few hours, although more serious symptoms may occur. 12 hours after consumptionaccording to PetMD.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include:

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Increased urination and drinking.

• Increased heart rate

• Restlessness, hyperactivity.

• Tremors

• Seizures

• Abnormal heart rhythm

• difficulty walking

While a cat can die from eating chocolate, the severity of the reaction depends on how much it ate and when it was treated. purine reports.

It is best to keep chocolate away from pets, PetMD recommends. Especially during the holidays, keep candy out of reach because cats can break and crumble it. he wrappers and ribbons that cover the chocolate.

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This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: Can cats eat chocolate? Analyzing the toxic effects on your feline friend