Brownies are not a good treat for cats, for a variety of reasons.
Interestingly, cats lack a taste receptor for sweet foods, which makes them unable to taste sweet substances. Although a brownie may be tasty for humans, it does not taste the same for cats. A cat is unlikely to show much interest in eating a brownie and it’s also unhealthy for your cat.
In this article, we will give you all the answers as to whether cats can eat brownies, why they are unhealthy from cats, and what human treats you can give them instead!
Are Brownies Safe for Cats To Eat?
In simple terms, brownies are not safe for cats to eat. This is because they contain chocolate which is toxic to cats along with other unhealthy ingredients. There is also no reason for cats to eat brownies because brownies have nothing to offer cats nutritionally.
Cats are naturally curious creatures, so if you have recently made a batch of brownies and your cat has been nibbling on them, you need to watch them closely to ensure that they are not showing any abnormal symptoms. Only a small 0.2 pounds of baking chocolate is dangerous for cats. Slightly more (about 0.5 pounds) of semi-sweet or dark chocolate needs to be eaten to reach toxic amounts. Since chocolate is usually the primary ingredient in brownies, it is clear to see why you should avoid feeding them to your cat.
- Flour
- Eggs
- Butter
- Chocolate
- Cocoa powder
- Sugar
Flour and butter are safe for cats to ingest but add no nutritional value to your cats’ diet. Eggs are completely safe for cats to eat, and most cat owners who feed their cats a raw food diet will include eggs in the recipe. The main ingredients that give brownies their delicious taste are chocolate, cocoa powder, and sugar. Any amount of chocolate is bad for a cat in all forms, even white chocolate which has a lower percentage of cocoa in it. Sugar is unhealthy for cats and should be limited from their diet. Cat treats should not have any sugar in them, because cats are not accustomed to having sugar in their natural diet.
Why Do Cats Not Like Brownies?
It has been discovered that cats do not have the same taste buds as humans do to detect sweet things. This is because a receptor that allowed cats to taste sweet substances was lost in their gene pool millions of years ago. Therefore, brownies do not have the same appeal to cats as they do to humans.
Cats are carnivores, meaning that their main diet should consist of meat-based proteins. Since cats do not need carbohydrates in their diet, they do not have the taste receptors to detect the sweet taste of sugar as they have no use for these taste receptors.
Most cats will not eat brownies simply because they do not enjoy them. The taste does not intrigue them, and it is better to feed them a treat that has a nutritional benefit for your cat and one that they will enjoy eating.
Why Can’t Cats Eat Chocolate?
All forms of chocolate are toxic to cats, from baking chocolate to milk or white chocolate. It is not cocoa powder itself that makes chocolate toxic to cats, but the high levels of theobromine and caffeine that chocolate contains. This makes chocolate lethal for cats.
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- In severe cases, death may occur if the symptoms are not treated promptly
A cat’s small body cannot absorb and process the toxins in chocolate properly the same way a human’s body can. If you suspect that your cat has eaten anything containing chocolate, it is best to take them to a veterinarian quickly so that their symptoms can be monitored by a professional. Even the smallest amount of chocolate is present in brownies. Ensure that you take the proper measures to keep your cat safe by storing all chocolate items away in a secure location.
Now that you know what you can safely feed your cat, it’s just as important to find a bowl that supports their health and well-being. With whisker-friendly bowls and a wide tray to catch any spills, our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is our favorite option.
Final Thoughts
Aside from brownies being unhealthy and potentially toxic to cats, they do not make a good treat for cats. There are a variety of different safe and healthy treats that you can feed your cat instead. Your cat should be eating a diet rich in animal protein daily and have healthy treats with safe ingredients in moderation.
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Featured Image Credit: 791101, Pixabay
