Many of us enjoy giving our cats our best treats. Cat parents love treats, but we must be careful when feeding our pets human foods. We often crave Nutella, a creamy blend of 30% chocolate and 70% hazelnut.
The popular hazelnut chocolate spread Nutella may not be good for cats. Cats need good nutrition to stay healthy and happy. But not all foods are good for pets. This article will explore cats and Nutella, giving you all the information you need to decide if your cat should eat it.
In This Article
Can Cats Eat Nutella?
Your cat should not be able to get to the jar of this sweet hazelnut spread. A small bite of pancake with Nutella on it won’t hurt the cat right away, but a stubborn and greedy cat could cause trouble. It’s our job to keep cats safe, even though they can be compelling when they want something.
Today, we will discuss what Nutella is made of and why it’s unsuitable for your cat. We’ll know the signs of chocolate poisoning that go with each one.
What is Nutella and Its Main Ingredients?
A chocolate hazelnut spread called Nutella has won the hearts of kids and adults worldwide. Many people love this treat because it’s creamy, tastes excellent, and is just the right amount of sweet. What, though, goes into making this tasty spread?
Nutella is mainly made up of sugar, cocoa powder, skim milk, and hazelnuts. First, the hazelnuts are roasted and then ground into a smooth paste.
This paste is then mixed with the other ingredients. This makes a rich, spreadable cream great for putting on toast or eating straight from the jar.
Interestingly, Nutella was made by accident. Pietro Ferrero, an Italian candy maker, tried to make a chocolate hazelnut paste for a bread spread in 1946.
Because of World War II, there weren’t enough cocoa beans, so he used hazelnuts instead. The result was so good that he decided to keep the recipe, which is how Nutella came to be.
Here is a rough breakdown of what’s in 100g of Nutella in terms of nutrition:
| Nutrient | Amount per 100g |
| Calories | 539 kcal |
| Fat | 31.6 g |
| – Saturated Fat | 10.4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 56.8 g |
| – Sugars | 56.3 g |
| Protein | 6.3 g |
| Fiber | 3.4 g |
Why Do Cats Like Nutella?
You’re not the only one who has noticed that your cat loves Nutella and will beg for a taste. This has happened to a lot of cat owners. But what is it about Nutella that cats love so much?
The answer is in the things that make it up.
As we already said, Nutella has sugar, cocoa powder, hazelnuts, and skim milk, all of which cats like. Hazelnuts and cocoa powder are full of nutrients, and adding milk and sugar makes it taste better. Nutella is also very appealing because it has a creamy texture, like cat food. It’s important to remember, though, that just because cats like Nutella doesn’t mean it’s safe for them.
Why Shouldn’t Cats Eat Nutella?
Cats should stay away from Nutella because it has a lot of sugar. The main ingredient in Nutella is sugar. A small amount won’t hurt your cat, but too much sugar can harm some cats.
Cats must eat meat because their bodies are designed to process and use protein from animal sources.
Because their digestive systems aren’t designed to handle a lot of carbs, sugar is complex for them to digest. In addition, it can make cats gain weight and become obese.
Chocolate is the other dangerous part of Nutella. Theobromine, found in chocolate, is similar to caffeine in that it can make cats vomit, have diarrhea, have a faster heart rate, and shake. In the worst cases, it can be fatal.
How Much Sugar is in Nutella?
It’s essential to look at how much sugar is in Nutella to understand its danger to cats. About five teaspoons of sugar are in one tablespoon of Nutella, which is 21g.
This much is a lot for a small animal like a cat. Also, each tablespoon of Nutella has 8g of chocolate in it. Because chocolate is so concentrated, even a small amount can harm cats.
Palm Oil – A Potentially Troublesome Ingredient
Another thing that goes into Nutella is palm oil, which comes from palm trees. Cats can eat it without getting sick, but it can cause stomach pain, upset stomach, and other digestive problems.
In addition, the high-fat content of palm oil can be bad for your cat’s health and could cause digestive problems.
The Dangers of Chocolate for Cats
People can eat Nutella without getting sick, but cats shouldn’t consume it. The main worry is that chocolate is there, which is known to be harmful to cats.
Theobromine is a chemical found in chocolate that is very bad for cats. It’s important to know that theobromine can be dangerous in small amounts. Dark and cooking chocolates have more theobromine than milk chocolate.
Nutella doesn’t have very high levels of theobromine, which is good news because it means cats probably won’t die from it. Even so, it can cause stomach problems, especially in cats with sensitive stomachs. Nutella also has a lot of sugar, milk, and fat, all of which can make cats sick.
Recognizing Symptoms of Chocolate Poisoning
If you think your cat has eaten chocolate, watch for signs. When cats eat chocolate, these are common signs:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Not Being Hungry
These signs may appear between 2 and 4 hours after your cat ate it, but the exact time can change depending on its metabolism. Sometimes, symptoms might not show up for up to 24 hours.
If your cat only licks some Nutella, it probably won’t cause any significant health problems. That being said, if your furry friend has eaten a lot of Nutella, you need to be very careful.
If your cat shows any of the above symptoms or has eaten a large amount of Nutella, you should contact your vet right away.
The worry here is that the person might have diarrhea and vomiting all the time, which can make them lose a lot of water.
Veterinarians can give the necessary care, such as providing IV fluids to prevent dehydration and medicines to stop diarrhea and vomiting. The good news is that cats that get medical help immediately after eating Nutella usually get better.
What to Do If Your Cat Consumes Nutella
If you find out that your cat has eaten Nutella or something else they shouldn’t have, you need to act right away. Talk to your vet for advice, especially if your cat already has a health problem that could make things more difficult.
In more severe situations, like when your cat eats a lot of Nutella, you should get your cat to the vet immediately or call an animal poison control hotline.
But if your cat has only been exposed to a small amount of Nutella, like licking a spoonful, the risk of serious problems is low. In this case, you might experience mild side effects like feeling sick, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
Better Treat Options for Your Cat
It’s essential to put your cat’s health and well-being first as a responsible cat owner. Instead of giving your cat Nutella as a treat, think about other, safer, and healthier ways to treat them. Because cats have to eat meat, lean proteins from animals like chicken and fish are excellent choices as long as they are in moderation.
Treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your cat’s daily food. An average cat needs 20 to 35 calories per pound of body weight every day.
That is, this means that a 10-pound cat needs to eat between 200 and 350 calories every day. It would help if you kept an eye on the treats your cat eats to make sure they stay at a healthy weight and get all the nutrients they need.
Final Words
Cats shouldn’t eat Nutella because it’s unsafe or suitable for them. The chocolate in Nutella has chemicals in it that are poisonous to cats and pose serious health risks.
The protein, iron, and calcium in Nutella are only in small amounts. To make sure your cat stays healthy, these nutrients should come from foods that are safe for cats.
You should call your vet immediately if you think your cat has eaten Nutella because quick action can make a big difference in how well they recover.
Feeding cats a diet high in protein and fats from animal sources is essential for their health, and it’s our job as cat parents to ensure they get what they need.
When you’re enjoying your Nutella, make sure your cat can’t get to it. Instead, give your cat treats that are safe for cats. It’s worth the work to keep your cat healthy and happy.
Remember that the health and safety of your cat should come first. Nutella, with its tempting sweetness, shouldn’t be on your cat’s food list.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if my cat licks Nutella?
Even though your cat may not be hurt, licking a little Nutella is not advised. Chocolate in Nutella can poison cats in large amounts. Nutella’s sugar and fat can upset cats’ stomachs. If you think your cat ate a lot of chocolate or Nutella, call your vet.
Can cats have a little lick of chocolate?
Chocolate should never be given to cats. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, rapid breathing, seizures, and death. Nutella and other chocolate must be kept out of your cat’s reach.
Can cats eat peanut butter?
Cats can occasionally eat a little plain, unsalted peanut butter, but not regularly. Peanut butter is high in fat and can cause obesity and digestive issues. Never use peanut butter with xylitol, a cat-toxic sugar substitute. Monitor your cat’s reaction and give sparingly.
What happens if my cat licks cocoa powder?
Theobromine and caffeine in cocoa powder and other chocolate products are harmful to cats. If your cat licks cocoa powder, it may vomit, have a faster heartbeat, and more serious symptoms. If you think your cat ate cocoa powder, take it to the vet. To avoid accidental ingestion, keep cocoa products away from cats.
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