Can Cats Eat Donuts?

However, there is no need to worry if your cat is a donut thief and has bitten off a piece of your dessert or licked off the icing. Most donut ingredients are non-toxic to felines.

I say “most” because donuts come in various flavors, and some are very dangerous for cats, causing severe poisoning with high lethality.

The risks of feeding cats sweets are numerous, while the benefits equal zero, so don’t give your cat donuts, no matter how it craves them.

Is Sugar Toxic to Cats?

The primary cause for concern in donuts for cats is sugar. Many owners are confused about whether sugar is toxic to cats. While sugar is non-toxic for cats and won’t cause instant poisoning, it harms their health in the long run.

The feline diet contains little carbohydrates because cats cannot digest them effectively. Unlike humans, who get energy from carbs, cats have little to no benefits from them.

As a result, excessive sugar consumption can lead to obesity, diabetes, dental issues, and heart problems. Some cats may become restless from sugar, similar to how children become hyperactive when they have too much chocolate.

Furthermore, cats cannot taste sweetness. They lack the receptors responsible for recognizing sugars because they are obligate carnivores. So, your cat won’t enjoy a donut the way you do.

However, a small amount of sugar isn’t harmful to cats, so there’s no need to panic if your cat has eaten a tiny piece of a donut or licked off the glazing while you didn’t see it.

Is Oil Safe for Cats?

Fat comprises a significant part of your cat’s diet, so it would be safe to assume that some amount of oil is beneficial for cats. However, not all oil is equal.

Donuts can be fried in animal or vegetable oil, and there is no way of knowing what type of oil was used unless you made them yourself. You can’t even be sure that oil is changed frequently enough.

Animal oil is safe for cats, and so are most vegetable oils. However, excessive vegetable oil consumption can lead to constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, weight gain, liver problems, and other health issues.

Your cat is unlikely to experience gastroenteric upset and won’t become obese after trying one piece of donut, but sweets shouldn’t be a part of the feline diet.

Can Cats Eat Dough?

Alright, some sugar and oil here and there won’t hurt your cat, but what about dough? The answer depends on the type of dough used for donuts.

Classic donuts are made with yeast dough. Although cooked yeast isn’t considered toxic to cats, it can cause severe gastroenteric upset and bloat in large amounts.

Some donuts are made from cake batter with baking powder or baking soda, which is safe for cats in moderation. Other dough ingredients – eggs, milk, sugar, flour, and butter – are safe for cats.

However, any dough is filling and tends to expand in the stomach. A cat that has eaten a large piece of donut is likely to have flatulence and generally feel unwell.

Are All Donuts Equally Dangerous for Cats?

The primary ingredients in donuts are safe for cats in moderate amounts, although a cat shouldn’t consume them frequently. But here’s the catch – most donuts have some filling or glaze that may be harmful to felines.

In moderation, berry jams are safe for cats because they don’t contain toxic ingredients but are high in sugar. Plus, some jams are packed with artificial preservatives and flavorings that can be dangerous to pets.

A bit of frosting won’t hurt your cat because it’s made from sugar, butter, and cream. However, donuts covered in chocolate are a big no for cats.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical extremely toxic to felines and canines. Even a tiny bit of chocolate can lead to severe poisoning and death if left untreated.

As a rule of thumb, the darker chocolate, the more theobromine it contains, so you should avoid giving your cat donuts with milk chocolate by any means. The warning also refers to donuts with Nutella and similar chocolate spreads.

Donuts with hazelnut paste is safe for cats as long as the paste doesn’t contain chocolate, which it often does. Chopped hazelnuts aren’t toxic to felines but may pose a choking hazard and affect digestion.

Donuts with caramel are generally safe because caramel contains sugar, cream, butter, salt, and water.

However, sugar in large amounts isn’t good for cat health. Plus, caramel chocolate is a very popular donut flavor combination.

Apple and cinnamon donuts aren’t toxic to cats, but, like with any other donut type, you should be mindful of the intake. Generally, no donut is good for cats, so don’t share it with your pet.

Adverse Effects of Donuts for Cats

Your cat won’t get sick from a tiny piece of donut, but it may experience adverse effects if it eats too much or has a sensitive gastroenteric tract.

The most widespread adverse effect of human food for cats, whether donuts or cheese, is gastroenteric upset. A cat may vomit, have diarrhea, flatulence, or feel discomfort when you touch its stomach.

Usually, the symptoms resolve themselves without veterinary intervention, but in severe cases, a cat may need to be administered intravenous fluids due to dehydration.

Frequent consumption of donuts and other sugary foods can lead to feline diabetes, which doesn’t have a cure. Cat diabetes symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, and ravenous appetite.

Even if extra weight gained from donuts won’t cause diabetes, it might affect a cat’s heart and joint health.

Some cats may be allergic to any donut ingredients and display symptoms similar to gastroenteric upset. Other allergy symptoms in cats include respiratory issues, such as coughing and difficulty breathing, and skin rash.

Because donuts are high in sugar, your cat may come hyperactive, running around the house, crashing into furniture and walls with a puffed-up tail. However, hyperactivity may also be a sign of chocolate toxicity.

A cat that has eaten a chocolate-glazed donut becomes restless and may have seizures, muscle rigidity, rapid breathing, increased thirst, tremors, and gastroenteric symptoms. Unfortunately, untreated chocolate poisoning typically leads to death.

As a rule of thumb, the more ingredients in a donut, the more risks for your cat. Never give your pet store-bought donuts if you don’t know which oils, fillings, flavorings, and preservatives have been used.

Why Does My Cat Crave Donuts?

You may wonder, “why does my cat crave donuts?”. After all, cats are carnivores and cannot taste sweetness, so sugary foods shouldn’t be appealing to them. And yet, many cats will do anything for a piece of donut.

The most likely reason your cat wants donuts is the high fat content. Cats find fat foods delicious, be it cream, salmon, cheese, or sweets. The fatter the donuts, the more attractive they are for your cat.

Some cats have odd food preferences. Maybe they like the texture, the smell, or even the food’s look. Either way, your cat may be attracted to donuts more than any other fatty food for personal, unexplainable reasons.

If your cat regularly craves fat foods, evaluate its diet and ensure that it gets enough fats from kibble or canned food. Cats not getting enough nutrients from their food may try to get them elsewhere.

This problem is prevalent with cats on a natural diet or those eating premium canned food that contains over 80% of meat. Protein is vital for cats, but such food often fails to provide cats with sufficient fats and carbs.

What to Do If a Cat Ate a Donut

You left a box of donuts on the kitchen table for five minutes and discovered one laying on the floor with a tiny bite mark made by your cat. Should you worry? Is it a veterinary emergency?

In most cases, there’s no need to panic. However, you should watch your cat for any abnormalities. If your cat vomits or has diarrhea for over eight hours and it doesn’t get any better, bring it to a vet.

You should also look for signs of dehydration, such as pale gums and lethargy. If your cat appears dehydrated, bring it to the vet.

Watch out for symptoms of allergy – mild allergy resolves itself, but some cases require veterinary intervention.

If your cat ate a chocolate donut, call the vet immediately, even if you don’t yet see any symptoms. Chocolate poisoning doesn’t resolve on its own. The cat’s state will only worsen as the toxin is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Timely treatment is the only way to save a cat with chocolate poisoning. By calling your vet as soon as you notice your cat has eaten chocolate, you can save your pet’s life.

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