Will Cats eat Chocolate?

I'm aware that chocolate is definitely one of the no-nos for a cat to have, but the question is whether or not a cat would really even invest much effort into eating chocolate in the first place?   I know for dogs, absolutely they will, especially Reeces Pieces due to the peanut smell.

I have kids coming over, and was told they LOVE chocolate, so I put out various little wrapped chocolate treats like Ferrero Rocher, Raffaello, Reeces Pieces, Mini-snickers, etc.  

I'll keep these away while the kids are gone, but when they are here it would be difficult to leave it out and keep an eye on the cats 24x7.

Think they'd even bother with it?

Doubt that they would mess with chocolate in that form, but if you were to mix chocolate with something they really like, such as chocolate in ice cream, watch out! Mine have never begged me for anything chocolate except for ice cream. I don't buy chocolate flavors very often, but I do indulge myself sometimes. They beg for any flavor of ice cream.

Keep an eye out in any case. If they think the candy is a toy, they could nibble on it.

My first kitty loved chocolate. Of course, even when I was a kid I knew that pets shouldn't have chocolate, but she got a little pinch of it every time someone in the house had a piece (maybe the size of half a chocolate chip). She lived to be 21 so it can't have hurt her too badly :tongue2:.

I guess it depends on your cats. Some cats will ravage a bowl of chocolate left out, some won't bother it at all.

My cats, especially my tabby, will eat absolutely anything that is put in front of them (ranch dressing is both their favorite, along with this port wine cheese spread I always buy) but neither one of them gives a hoot when I have chocolate.

I keep a candy dish with wrapped chocolate out all year round, and none of my four (cats) have ever expressed any interest in it, no matter what kind of chocolate is in there.

I once had a cat who ate chocolate chip cookies, but I think it was more for the cookie part than for the chocolate chips.  By the way, Reese's Pieces don't have any chocolate:

http://www.foodfacts.com/NutritionFacts/Peanut-Butter/Reeses-Pieces-105-oz/66138

I'd keep a close eye on the candy. Miezi has been known to eat Mon Cheri brandy-filled chocolates - so much for cats shying away from liquor and chocolate! Jamie licks, but usually doesn't eat, Raffaello, but they don't have any chocolate in them.

Originally Posted by cloud_shade  

By the way, Reese's Pieces don't have any chocolate:

http://www.foodfacts.com/NutritionFacts/Peanut-Butter/Reeses-Pieces-105-oz/66138

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Oh wow, learn something new every day.
 

Willowy said:

My first kitty loved chocolate. Of course, even when I was a kid I knew that pets shouldn't have chocolate, but she got a little pinch of it every time someone in the house had a piece (maybe the size of half a chocolate chip). She lived to be 21 so it can't have hurt her too badly

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I guess it depends on your cats. Some cats will ravage a bowl of chocolate left out, some won't bother it at all.

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I very much agree with the above. I am a vet tech and have NEVER seen an issue with a clients cat. Also Momma, Shadow, and Panda have all eaten large amount of cake, cookies,  and chocolate bars over the years. I have never had any type of medical issue. Not even nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

The foundation cat will eat plastic, foil, and cardboard around the candy. But not the candy .

Most cats probably don't have a problem eating a small amount of inexpensive chocolate, because there's so little cocoa actually in it. The problem with chocolate and toxicity is theobromine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobromine_poisoning and the Merck Veterinary Manual addresses the problem in dogs: http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211104.htm . My understanding is that it is more toxic to cats (requires a smaller amount per body weight), but cats are far less inclined to eat something like dark or baker's chocolate.

I don't think they would bother with it unless it was chocolate milk or something. A dog is more likely to eat chocolate than a kitty.