Next time you are looking for a tasty treat to give your cat, you may be wondering if gummy bears are a good option. After all, these chewy sweets are loved by many people, so they must be okay for cats too, right?
Well, the answer to that question is not quite as straightforward as you might think.Can cats eat gummy bears? Can they really be harmful to your kitty? Can you give them a little bit and not worry about it ?
In this article, I will answer all of these questions about gummy bears and their effects on our furry friends. I will take a closer look at whether or not cats can eat gummy bears and what the potential risks might be. So, read on to learn more!
What Exactly Are Gummy Bears?
To start off, let’s talk briefly about what exactly gummy bears are. Gummy bears are a type of candy. .They’re made out of water, corn syrup, sugar (sometimes), gelatin (made from animal bones), and coloring agents like titanium dioxide that give the treat its signature color, artificial flavors, and citric acid.
They are shaped like small bears, hence their name, and they come in various colors and flavors. The main ingredient in gummy bears is sugar, followed by gelatin. In addition, many different flavors and colors of gummy bears also contain artificial additives and food dyes.
Can Cats Eat Gummy Bears?
Cats should not eat any type of gummy bear.Gummy bears are made with high levels of sugar and carbohydrates, which are not part of a cat’s natural diet.Gummy bears are marketed to children, and many contain large amounts of sugar, which is bad for them and can lead to health problems like diabetes later in life.
Gummy bears are typically made up of carbohydrates and sugar, and cats lack the digestive enzyme to break down these components. This means that eating a gummy bear could give your cat an upset stomach or even block her intestines.
Additionally, gummy bears often contain artificial colors and flavors that can be harmful to cats. Cats shouldn’t have much exposure to these artificial colors because they could cause serious medical issues or even death if eaten daily over a long period of time.
As mentioned above, the main ingredient in traditional gummy bears is sugar. Cats are strict carnivores . This means that unlike dogs, who can technically digest carbs from plant sources like vegetables and fruit (compared to omnivores like humans), cats do not have the proper enzymes in their digestive system to process carbohydrates.
As a result, when we give our feline friends treats that contain carbs and sugar (even natural ones found in fruit), we are giving them something that is basically just empty calories .
It’s important to note here that even though carbohydrate energy can technically be used by carnivores such as cats, it will need to get “converted” first before it becomes usable energy. This requires additional work from the body, which could potentially stress out or harm an already sick cat who might not have the resources available to complete this task properly.
So the next time your cat begs for a taste of your gummy bear stash, be sure to say no! Instead, give them some good old fashioned kitty treats. Your cat will thank you for it!
Gummy Bears And Xylitol:
While gummy bears may seem like a harmless snack for humans, they’re actually quite dangerous for cats. This is because one of the ingredients in them, – xylitol, – can be fatal to our feline friends. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is often used as a sweetener in chewing gum, candy, toothpaste, and other products.
When ingested by pets, xylitol causes a sudden release of insulin in the body, which can lead to liver failure and even death .
Xylitol as an artificial sweetener is known for causing low blood sugar in humans and has been found to cause liver damage in dogs and even death in some cases of consumption by smaller animals like rabbits or hamsters.
While no one knows exactly how much it takes before a pet runs into serious problems from eating them, you definitely don’t want your kitty getting sick from these candies!
Side Effects Of Gummy Bears On Cats:
Gummy bears can have a lot of negative effects on cats, some of which are serious. Some side effects of gummy bears include:
- Upset stomach
- Blocked intestines
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Lethargy,
- Loss of appetite
- Decreased activity level
- Weight Gain
- Diabetes
- Pancreatitis
- Death ( In case of Xylitol poisoning)
In addition to the xylitol in gummy bears, there are a few other potential side effects of these treats on cats. As mentioned above, artificial colors and flavors can be harmful to cats if ingested in large quantities. Some artificial dyes have even been linked to cancer in animals .
Citric acid is another ingredient often found in gummy bears that can be harmful to cats. This organic compound is used as a preservative and gives the candy its tart taste. When consumed in high doses, citric acid can cause gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining) and even kidney failure in felines .
So while your cat may seem like she’s just fine after eating a few gummy bears, it’s important to keep an eye out for any potential side effects. If your cat starts vomiting, has diarrhea, seems lethargic, or is drinking more water than usual, it’s best to take her to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
If you are ever in doubt, please contact your veterinarian! They will be able to help assess the situation and determine whether or not your cat needs medical attention.
What To Do If Your Cat Has Consumed Gummy Bears ?
Gummy bears are not toxic to cats. If your cat has consumed one or two gummy bears by accident, there is no need to panic as it is highly unlikely that it is going to cause any serious side-effects on your cat. If your cat has only consumed a small amount of gummy bears, there may not be anything to worry about as it will likely just pass through their system without any problems.
There are also several things you can do at home to help your pet recover if they have consumed gummy bears . These include:
- Providing plenty of fluids: Cats who are suffering from diarrhea or vomiting as a result of eating gummy bears will need plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. You can provide water, coconut water , or pedialyte to help keep them hydrated.
- Administering electrolytes: If your cat has diarrhea or is vomiting, they are also at risk for dehydration and electrolyte deficiency. You can purchase oral rehydration solutions from most pet stores that you mix with water to replace the lost fluids in their bodies. You may have to administer this solution several times a day until your cat recovers fully.
- Offering a low-sugar diet: To avoid further upsetting your pet’s digestive system and causing more vomiting and diarrhea, it is best to feed them a low sugar diet for several days after the incident. Feeding them lean meats like chicken breast will help their bodies recover faster without worsening the condition with high levels of fat or sugar.
If you see your cat has consumed gummy bears containing xylitol, the best thing to do is to take your cat to the veterinarian.The vet will ask how many gummy bears your cat has eaten and what type of gummy bears they have eaten. Depending on the symptoms, the vet may induce vomiting or give activated charcoal to absorb any toxins that may have been consumed.
Alternative Treats To Gummy Bears For Cats:
While gummy bears should definitely be avoided when it comes to treats for cats, there are plenty of other snacks that are both safe and healthy for them. Some good options include:
- Freeze-dried chicken or beef lung
- Tuna cubes
- Cooked skinless white meat chicken (no spices)
- Sardines in olive oil (packed in water is fine too)
Each of these snacks provides a high protein, low sugar treat for your cat to enjoy.
Parting Words
Cats are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. They can’t digest jelly beans because their digestive systems are not set up for it. If you feed your cat a treat or sweet of any kind, the sugar will make them bloated and sick. It’s never recommended to give cats food meant for humans!
A cat’s digestive system is uniquely different from a human’s, and they cannot digest sugar like we do in our bodies. The high concentration of sugar will cause them to get sick when ingested with their food or water. This may lead to diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and weight loss.
Jelly beans are extremely high in sugar, and cats don’t have the enzyme needed to break down their sugars like humans do. This means that all of those sweet calories will pass through your cat without being broken down for energy, which could lead to weight gain.
I hope this blog post has answered any nutrition related questions you had about whether cats can eat gummy bears or not! If there is anything else I didn’t cover in detail or if you still have more specific questions on this topic, feel free to reach out with your concerns by clicking the contact button below.
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Meow for now 😉
XoXo
Genie
