If you are a person who drinks soda frequently, you may wonder if you can also share with your cat once in a while. Before doing so, you should stop and ask yourself if it is safe for cats to drink soda.
No, cats should not drink soda. The ingredients present in soda, such as sugar, caffeine, and acids are harmful to cats, and thus, should not be given to them.
Cats are highly curious and you might find them trying new things. At times, cats can become interested in questionable things, and you must understand whether it is okay for them to consume to prevent negative health effects. One good example is soda. You may be enjoying a glass of soda, and your cat comes up and attempts to lick, and you wonder if it is appropriate for them to drink it. You are left asking yourself questions such as can cats drink soda? Is it safe for them? Is it good for their health? The simple answer to these questions is no. Cats should not drink soda. Keep reading to know why you should not allow your cat to consume soda.
What are some of the main ingredients in soda?
Soda is made of many ingredients that are not good for our feline friends or even humans. Some of the most common ingredients you will find in different brands and flavors include:
- Caffeine
- Carbonated water to give soda fizz
- Natural flavors
- Acids
- Fructose corn syrup
- Carbon dioxide for carbonation
There are several reasons why cats should not drink soda. First, there is no health benefit to giving your cat soda. Second, as you have seen in the ingredient list, there are many components in soda, and some of them are not safe for cats. Some of the ingredients present in soda that are unsafe for your cat are discussed below.
Caffeine
One of the most common ingredients present in soda is caffeine. If you have ever overindulged in caffeinated drinks, you can attest that there is such a thing as too much caffeine. Over consumption of caffeine over a short time often results in unwanted symptoms like elevated heart rates and anxiety.
For cats, even smaller amounts of caffeine can lead to these side effects and potentially cause toxicity. Caffeine toxicity occurs at a much faster rate and lower doses in cats than in people. Cats are more sensitive to caffeine and have challenges processing it. In cats, caffeine can cause increased heart rate, diarrhea, loss of muscle control, fever, hyperactivity, general weakness, vomiting, high blood pressure, restlessness, seizures, and seizures. Even though you opt for a non-caffeinated drink, the problems go beyond just this one ingredient.
Sugar
Sodas contain high sugar content, which is significantly problematic for cats. While sugar is not inherently toxic for cats, overconsumption for long periods of time can be harmful to their health as it can result in excessive weight gain and eventually diabetes.
In the short term, high consumption of sugar can cause drastic changes in blood sugar levels that cats require to remain relatively stable. Sugar is completely devoid of nutritional benefits for cats, and when you consider that they only need a few hundred calories daily, you understand why soda is not a good option for them.
Interestingly, cats lack the ability to taste sweet stimuli due to their psychological requirement for a meat-based diet. Therefore, it becomes apparent that there is no need for them to drink soda as they will not even taste the sweetness.
Acids
The majority of sodas contain acids, mostly phosphoric and citric acids. When ingested in large quantities, acids cause havoc in the digestive tract. Since cats have a vulnerable digestive system, they are especially susceptible to significant digestive concerns if they consume acids.
Additionally, acids, especially when combined with sugar, wear away the tooth enamel over time, resulting in oral problems for your cat.
Summary of risky ingredients in soda
Risky Ingredients in Soda |
Health risks in cats |
Caffeine |
increased heart rate, diarrhea, loss of muscle control, fever, hyperactivity, general weakness, vomiting, high blood pressure, restlessness, seizures, and seizures |
Sugar |
excessive weight gain and diabetes |
Acids |
Digestive issues and oral problems |
What happens if a cat drinks soda?
High chances are that your cat will not be drinking a whole can of soda. Thus, you will not observe any negative consequences if your cat only gets a few licks. However, it is important to monitor the cat and observe their behavior over the next few hours to ensure they do not develop any of the discussed symptoms after drinking soda.
As a cat owner, you must understand that the level of toxicity depends largely on the amount of soda consumed, alongside other factors, such as the weight, age, and size of your cat. Furthermore, what they have eaten and how hydrated they are, also affect how they react to toxicity. Therefore, different cats may react differently to the same amount of soda, and it is crucial for cat owners to observe when their cats exhibit any changes in behavior.
Conclusion
Cats should not drink soda because it will not hydrate them. In fact, soda may work against them and cause dehydration. Soda does not offer any nutritional benefit to your cat, and it would not even enjoy the sweet taste. As seen, soda can cause adverse health issues to your cat, such as digestive issues and even worse. Always ensure there is clean water for your cat at all times, and they will be less likely to go for other substances such as soda.
FAQs
Can my cat drink coke zero?
Although coke zero has no calories, it is still high in acidic and caffeine values, which are significantly unsafe for your cat.
What else can I give my cat to drink apart from water?
Cats are carnivores, and water is enough for them to remain hydrated. Even when your cat is suffering from dehydration, do not give them soda if water is unavailable because it would make the situation much worse.