Feeding sweet treats in moderation won’t do them harm, but can cats have cotton candy? The answer to this sugar powerhouse shouldn’t surprise you!
One of my favorite things to buy at the fair is cotton candy, and I always bring a few bags home. While my cats give it a few curious sniffs, they never really seem too interested to have a taste. Still, it made me wonder if cotton candy was safe to give to them.
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This article shares the truths about feeding sweet treats, including cotton candy, to your cats!
Can Cats Eat Cotton Candy?
Cotton candy isn’t toxic to cats, but it isn’t good for their health either. This candy is made entirely from sugar and nothing else. Sugar is highly harmful to your cat’s health, and you shouldn’t feed it in large amounts. It would be better to stay away from this entirely.
Luckily, if you don’t give your kitty cotton candy or any other type of sweets, you don’t have to feel guilty. Cats don’t have a sweet tooth like most of us do! They only have 470 taste buds, as opposed to the 9000 that we have, and none of theirs can taste anything sweet.
Learn more about Is Candy Bad For Cats?
Will Cotton Candy Kill My Cat?
No, a small piece of cotton candy will not kill your cat because cotton candy contains nothing toxic to them. However, the amount of sugar it contains can have adverse effects, and some can be fatal.
High amounts of sugar can lead to many diseases, and in time, these diseases can have fatal side effects like kidney failure, diabetes, and seizures.
Why Is Sugar Bad For Cats?
Cats don’t seek and eat sugar in the wild because it doesn’t form part of their natural diet. This also means that they might struggle to digest it, leading to gastrointestinal distress with symptoms like diarrhea, discomfort, pain, and vomiting.
Obesity: When your kitty has too much sugar in its diet, it can pick up a lot of weight! If they reach the stage of obesity, there’ll be a lot of pressure on your cat’s heart, liver, kidney, and other organs, making it difficult for them to function as normal.
Diabetes: Too much sugar can damage your cat’s pancreas, leading to a diabetes diagnosis. For some felines, this is fatal.
Teeth Decay: Cats can develop oral health issues just like we do! If you feed your kitty a lot of sugary treats, their teeth could start decaying. This will be extremely painful for them, and they might have trouble eating as a result. If the issue persists, your cat could become malnourished.
Sweet Treats That Are Toxic For Cats
All sweets are typically unhealthy for cats because they contain heaps of sugar, but the ones on this list aren’t only unhealthy but can instantly be fatal!
Chocolate
This addictive and delicious treat is toxic to most pets, and the darker the chocolate, the further you should keep it from your cat. Stomach upset, muscle tremors, heart arrhythmias, and seizures are some effects that chocolate can have on your kitty. If your cat consumes too much chocolate, it can be fatal.
Caffeine
Caffeine is unhealthy for us and even more so for your cat. Like chocolate, your feline friend can die if they consume too much coffee.
Grapes And Raisins
A cat’s natural menu doesn’t contain fruits, but there are many that they can eat that benefit their health. Grapes and raisins aren’t part of this list. When cats eat grapes or any byproduct, they can experience kidney damage or failure.
Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many products like gum and sweets. It can cause liver damage, an upset stomach, an extensive drop in blood sugar, and seizures. Xylitol can also have fatal side effects for cats.
Cotton Candy Alternatives for Cats
Since cats can’t taste sweet treats, you should opt for savory ones. There are many to choose from, but here is my cat’s favorites:
Meats
Small chunks of dried meats without salt or spices are always a hit! Turkey or chicken is always a good choice, but most cats prefer beef. Meats hold the necessary proteins and vitamins your cat needs, so serving them as a treat is never a bad idea.
Wet Food
If your cat is on a dry food diet, serving them, wet food will become one of their favorite treats. You can even add extra chicken fat or tuna to the portion to make it taste better.
Pet Shop Treats
Our local pet store has the best variety of cat treats, and my kitty has never declined one I brought home from there. Some stores even have candy imitations that your cat will find interesting!
In Conclusion
Cats don’t really care for sweet treats, and even when they seem interested, they won’t taste much of what it has to offer. Besides this fact, sugar is bad for cats, and giving them too much could lead to severe health issues.
There are many healthy treats you can feed your kitty, and if you really want to share candy with them, you can buy some safe alternatives at your local pet shop.
I hope you found this article helpful and that you now have a better idea of what sugar does to a cat. If you have any more questions, pop them in the comment section, and I’ll get back to you!
Is it okay for cats to eat candy?
Not really.
Your cat will probably be okay after eating some candy, but they usually contain a lot of sugar which could make your kitty ill if they eat too much.
Can cats eat cotton candy grapes?
No.
Cotton candy grapes don't differ from other grapes, and you should avoid feeding them to your cat.
Why does my cat love sweets?
Cats can't really taste sweetness, but the fat content in sweet treats attracts them.
What type of candy can cats eat?
Cats should only eat candies made especially for them by feline nutritional experts.
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