Can Cats Eat Caramel?

Can cats eat Caramel? No, cats should not eat Caramel because although it is non-toxic, Caramel can be a choking hazard and has absolutely no nutritional value for your feline friends. Also, cats can not taste sugar, so they can’t even enjoy the treat. Furthermore, long-term Caramel consumption can lead to diabetes, tooth decay, and weight gain in your feline companion. If your cat accidentally ate Caramel,  he should be fine, but it shouldn’t be a part of his regular diet. 

If your fuzzy friend get a hold of a creamy Caramel flan dessert lying around in your kitchen, the first question that may pop into your head is, “Can my cat eat Caramel?” The good news is that if your cat accidentally had a little bit of Caramel, he should be fine.

However, Caramel is very sweet as it is packed full of sugar. If your feline friend regularly consumes Caramel, he may be at risk of developing diabetes or gaining unnecessary weight which leads to obesity. In this article, we will discuss why cats should not have Caramel and how regular consumption of Caramel can affect your cat’s health.

Can cats have Caramel?

No, cats should not have Caramel because, as obligate carnivores, their diet requires animal-based protein and not empty calories and carb from sugar or sugary foods. About 70% of a cat’s diet should consist of animal-based protein, while the rest can include healthy fat and carbohydrates. 

Since our kitties don’t have the taste buds to taste sugar, it’s useless giving them Caramel thinking that they would enjoy such a sugary treat. Therefore, feeding them sugary food like Caramel with little to no nutritional benefit doesn’t make sense.

To fully understand why Caramel is not beneficial for your little fur babies, let’s discuss what Caramel is in the first place.

What is Caramel?

Caramel is the end product you get after you heat sugar to 340 degrees Fahrenheit (340°F). It is a golden-brown colored candy that you can either eat as it is or combine with cream or milk to make milk caramels or caramel sauce.

The caramel sauce is used as a topping on flans, ice creams, or cakes. It can also be used to coat apples and sometimes salt is added to it to create salted Caramel.

Additionally, Caramel is a binding agent in many candies, such as caramel corn, pralines, peanut brittle, or other candied roasted nuts. 

DON’T MISS: Can Cats Eat Peanuts? 10 Dangers Every Cat Owner Should Know!

Is Caramel bad for cats?

Yes, Caramel is bad for cats and it is something our four-legged friends don’t need. The loaded sugar in Caramel is what makes it harmful to your kitties’ health. Also, our furry friends can easily choke on Caramel because it is generally a hard and sticky candy. Due to its hard texture, your feline companions may find difficult to swallow.

Just like humans need to limit their sugar intake, so do our furry friends. Our felines are also way smaller than us and since they are obligate carnivores, they have lower tolerance to many types of food that aren’t meat.

Can cats taste sweet?

No, cats can not taste sugar or sweet. While humans have 9,000 taste buds, cats only have a mere 470 taste buds. Cats also lack the 247 amino acid pairs that form the gene responsible for tasting sweets. This means your feline friends won’t be able to taste your favorite sugary treats like Caramel or chocolate.

In other words, your fuzzy companion is sweet blind. One reason is that cats are obligate carnivores so they have a wider variety of taste receptors for meat and animal protein.

Can cats taste Caramel?

No, cats can not taste Caramel because they are not able to taste sugar, and Caramel is nothing but sugar. However, our kitties can taste the other ingredients in Caramel, like salt, butter, and cream which are harmful to them if consumed in large quantities. 

Is Caramel toxic to cats?

No, Caramel is not toxic to cats. If your kitty cats take a nibble or two, they should be fine. However, if Caramel becomes a part of your feline’s regular diet, then it can cause long-term health issues.

When our four-legged friends regularly consume Caramel, they may start to have the following health problems:

• Diabetes.
• Obesity.
• Tooth decay.
• Kidney failure.
• Liver damage.

To understand why Caramel can inflict such severe health consequences on your furry friends, let’s look at what Caramel is made of.

What is Caramel made of?

Caramel is made from plain sugar, and other ingredients are added for consistency and flavor such as cream, butter, or salt.

3 Ingredient Caramel Sauce

• Granulated sugar also known as regular sugar or white sugar (pure cane).
• Heavy cream.   
• Salted butter. 
• Optional: Salt (if you’re making salted Caramel).

Granulated sugar 

As an obligate carnivore, a cat’s digestive system is well suited for a diet full of meat. Also, our feline family members’ diet do not require sugar to give them energy. Protein does a good job there. Furthermore, our little furballs can not taste sugar which shows that cats and sugar don’t really go together.

Too much sugar consumption can lead to the following health issues in cats:

Diabetes mellitus

Cats do not have enough glucokinase (GCK), a necessary enzyme, in their liver and pancreas to regulate their glucose levels. GCK is like a glucose sensor that detects high amounts of glucose in the blood and releases insulin to tackle it.

If a cat regularly consumes a lot of sugar, he can develop a condition called diabetes mellitus. This means that a cat’s body is no longer adept at getting rid of the excess sugar and would need external help. This condition can also lead to feline obesity and lethargy.

Feline obesity

Consuming tons of sugar or consuming sugar regularly can cause a short-term energy boost in your feline friends, also known as a sugar rush. However, it is short-lived, and your kitties feel hungry again after an hour or two.

This can initiate a cycle in which your fuzzy friends keeps eating to fight hunger, eventually leading to weight gain. Your cat should have less than 3% sugar in their daily diet to prevent them from getting overweight.

Here is what VCA Animal Hospitals had to say about the general feline population:

“In North America…Approximately 30-35% of the general feline population is obese, with 50% of cats aged 5-11 years old weighing in higher than their ideal weight.”

VCA Animal Hospitals

Overweight and feline obesity can lead to further health issues like liver failure, urinary inflammation, diabetes, and even cardiovascular disease.

Digestive problems

A lot of sugar and carbohydrates intake can upset a cat’s stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. Because cats don’t have enough enzymes to deal with carbohydrate digestion, overconsumption of sugar can lead to digestive issues like vomiting, flatulence, and diarrhea.

Keep in mind that kittens are more sensitive to sugar and should have little or no sugar at all.

In general, cats like the Sphynx breed are genetically more inclined to have digestive disorders. Therefore, it is best to keep sugary food or treats away from your furry friends.

Tooth decay

Lastly, too much sugar consumption can lead to cavities, weak gums, and gingivitis in cats. The bacteria can also enter your feline friend’s digestive system and cause liver damage, kidney failure, or heart disease.

Heavy cream

Heavy cream is the layer you see floating on top of the milk because of its high fat content. It contains 36% to 40% fat and is also called heavy whipping cream.

In fact, when comparing it to other dairy products, heavy cream has the highest amount of fat.

Many use it in ice creams, pasta sauces, chowders, and pastry fillings. 

Heavy cream has a lot of applications because it holds its shape for a longer time than other normal whipping creams. However, it is something our little fur babies should not consume.

Heavy cream is derived from milk, and cats don’t need milk in their diet unless they are kittens and are yet to be weaned. And even then, they should only consume their mother’s milk.

It’s important to point out that cats become lactose intolerant as they age. This means that their bodies produce less and less of the lactase enzyme to properly break down the lactose sugar found in milk.

Cats that can not tolerate dairy products may experience the following signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance:

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting. 
• Dehydration.
• Dry gums.
• Increased thirst or Polydipsia.
• Abdominal discomfort or pain.
• Bloating.
• Flatulence.
• Constipation.
• Increased heart rate.
• Pancreatitis.

Salted butter 

Salted butter is made from churned cow’s milk and contains about 80% fat, while the other 20% contains milk solids, water, and salt. The amount of salt in salted butter varies from brand to brand. Usually, it lies in the range of 1.5% to 2%. The salt also acts as a preservative and gives the butter longer shelf life.

Most of the fat in salted butter is saturated fat which is quite unhealthy for our feline friends. Additionally, since butter is a dairy product, cats that are lactose intolerance will experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach.

Butter was not made for feline consumption and therefore you should not feed it to your feline friends – not even vegan butter. Too much fat consumption, especially saturated fat, can lead to the following health issues:

• Obesity.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Inflammation of the cat’s intestinal linings.
• Gastroenteritis.

Salt

If you’re having salted Caramel, then you can expect that there is salt as one of the ingredients in it. While salt is not toxic to our furry friends, consuming too much salt from salted Caramel can lead to sodium poisoning in cats.  

Keep in mind that our kitties should only have 20 to 40 mg of salt each day. Any more than this can cause an imbalance in your feline friend’s electrolyte levels and this can lead to salt toxicity.

Signs and symptoms of salt poisoning in cats include the following:

• Vomiting.
• Dehydration.
• Extreme thirst.
• Excessive urination.
• Loss of appetite.
• Seizures.
• Lethargy.
• Incoordination.
• Muscle tremors.
• Feline obesity.
• Coma.

Is Caramel safe for cats?

No, Caramel is not safe for cats. This sweet sauce contains many harmful ingredients like salted butter, salt, heavy cream, and sugar that do not benefit your fluffy companion’s health.

Instead, regularly allowing your fuzzy friends to consume Caramel can lead to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and tons of digestive issues including vomiting, diarrhea, pancreatitis, and kidney damage.

Is Caramel good for cats?

No, Caramel is not good for cats. As obligate carnivores, our kitty cats need a lot of protein in their diet to keep them energetic and healthy while maintaining their sharp vision. Our kitties do not need empty calorie food such as Caramel.

As we can see from the information above, Caramel is sugar and it contains a lot of sugar. In fact, this sugary sauce and candy has a high glycemic index (GI) of 65 so it rapidly releases glucose (sugar) into your feline’s bloodstream, leading to upset stomach in the short term and diabetes and obesity in the long run.

Do Caramel provide any nutritional benefits for your cat?

No, Caramel does not provide any nutritional value for your cat. That’s because one (1) piece of Caramel candy weighing around 10.1 grams contains 8 grams of carbohydrates, of which 7 grams is sugar. As we can see, Caramel is mainly made of sugar.

Since our feline companions can not digest sugar properly, it can accumulate in their bodies and result in diabetes and weight gain.

Also, one (1) piece of Caramel candy contains 38 calories. Although 38 calories aren’t a lot to us, they certainly are for our fluffy friends. That’s a lot of excess empty calories that our furry friends don’t need.

Instead of feeding your felines sugar, replace it with food or treats that contain animal-based protein so your furry friends can get their ample energy throughout the day.

You may say that there is protein in Caramel. While that is true, there is only a meager 0.5 grams of protein in one piece of Caramel square candy, which is way too little for a cat’s daily protein intake. Also, it’s not animal-based protein which is what our fuzzy friends need.

Is Caramel okay for cats? 

No, Caramel is not okay for cats. As we discussed above, Caramel is mostly sugar and fat. It also contains ingredients that are not healthy for feline consumption. If you catch your fluffy companion taking an occassional nibble or two at your Caramel sauce or candy, he or she should be fine. However, don’t make this a regular part of his or her diet.

When taking care of our feline friends, their health and safety comes first and making sure that we do not feed them Caramel, whether in the form of a candy or sauce, is essential to ensure that our fuzzy friends do not suffer from long-term health issues.

Why does my cat likes Caramel?

Your feline friends can not taste sweet because they do not have the taste receptors to taste sugar. However, they can taste the other ingredients in Caramel, such as salt and fat from the heavy cream.

In fact, cats like to taste fat, which is probably why your cat likes Caramel. Our feline friends love any food or treats that has animal protein in it, whether it is cream, ice-cream, or milk.

However, just because your fuzzy companions likes Caramel does not mean they should be consuming it.

My cat ate Caramel! What will happen? What should I do?

If your cat had a nibble or two of your Caramel candy or lick some Caramel sauce off your plate, it is nothing to worry about. Caramel is non-toxic to cats when consumed in a small quantity.

However, if your entire pack of Caramel candy is missing, you should take your feline companion to see the vet. This is because if the Caramel had salt in it, your cat could suffer from sodium poisoning. Additionally, due to the high sugar content in Caramel, sugar overdose could make your cat hyper or lead to stomach upsets which a vet would know how to handle.

Symptoms to watch for

If your feline friends over consumes Caramel, they may show visible signs of discomfort and pain. Here are some of the signs and symptoms to look out for. Be sure to contact your vet as soon as possible if you notice any of the following symptoms in your kitties:

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Seizures.
• Lethargy.
• Lack of coordination.
• Muscle tremors.
• Dehydration.
• Loss of appetite.
• Hyperactivity.
• Erratic heartbeat.

Treatments if your cat has food poisoning from Caramel 

IV fluid to lower the salt level in your cat’s body

If your kitty overconsumed Caramel containing high salt content such as a salted Caramel, we highly recommend that you bring him to the vet immediately. The vet will perform a thorough checkup and can help your feline family member get rid of the excess salt and Caramel in his gastrointestinal tract (GI tract).

The vet can also administer IV fluids and induce vomiting to help your kitty get rid of the Caramel in his body. Furthermore, your vet can monitor your cat’s electrolyte levels and give him the appropriate medication.

Appropriate medication

Because cats don’t have the lactase enzyme in their body, they can have an allergic reaction to the heavy cream in the Caramel. As a result, your kitty cats may experience signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance including vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach.

Your vet can prescribe appropriate medication and if necessary have your kittens stay overnight to keep them under observation.

Cats and Caramel

Can cats eat Caramel popcorn?

No, cats should not eat Caramel popcorn. Although Caramel popcorn doesn’t have a lot of Caramel coating, they still are a choking hazard for your cat. Furthermore, our furry friends should only have 10% carbs in their daily diet. More than that can lead to indigestion, obesity, and diabetes. 

So, if you are still wondering, “Can cats have Caramel popcorn?” the answer is no. Just because you can not resist sharing the Caramel popcorn with your fuzzy friends doesn’t mean it is ok to share this snack with them.

My cat ate Caramel popcorn! What will happen? What should I do?

If your cat ate a few Caramel popcorns without choking, then he should be fine. You’ll want to still monitor him for the next 12 to 24 hours to watch for any changes in behavior.

However, if the Caramel popcorn gets lodged in your cat’s throat and you see him gagging, you should rush him to the nearest veterinary hospital.

Caramel popcorn can also get stuck in your cat’s intestines and cause constipation, bloating, and other digestive problems in your feline friends that the vet can look into.

Can cats eat Caramel ice cream?

No, cats should not eat Caramel ice cream. Many cat owners often ask, “Can cats have Caramel ice cream?”

If you’re also asking this question because you are concern for your feline companion’s health and safety, the answer is no.

Our feline friend’s diet does not require sugar or human treats. By giving your feline family member treats that are made for human consumption, you will only ruin your cat’s digestive system and negative affect his overall health.

When it comes to Caramel ice cream, it contains all those dreaded ingredients that can upset your kitty’s stomach, such as milk, sugar, and Caramel.

Milk contains lactose sugar that your fluffy companion can not digest properly due to the lack of lactase enzyme. This can lead to upset stomach and diarrhea.

High sugar content in Caramel ice cream can lead to health issues like obesity and diabetes in cats.

Can cats eat Caramel corn?

No, cats should not eat Caramel corn. As mentioned above, Caramel is not beneficial for your fuzzy friends in the long term. Corn also contains a lot of carbohydrates that your cat can’t digest properly.

In fact, our kitties do not have the amylase enzyme to digest carbs properly and should only have 10% carbs in their daily diet. So, the answer to your question, “Can cats have Caramel corn?” is no, they cannot.

Can cats eat Caramel rice cakes?

No, cats should not have Caramel rice cakes. However, if a small piece of Caramel rice cakes fell onto the floor and your feline friends ate it before you could even wipe it up, then they should be fine. Although, you should keep a close eye on them to make sure they are not choking from this crunchy snack or having any changes in behavior.

As we can see, a small bite or two won’t harm your cat; however, if your cat consumes Caramel rice cakes regularly, then he would be at risk of developing digestive issues. This is because rice cakes contain a lot of carbs.

Can cats eat creme Caramel?

No, cats should not eat creme Caramel. Crème Caramel is a custard dessert with a caramel sauce layer on top. It is also called flan and is a popular dessert in France, Italy, Mexico, and Spain.

However, crème Caramel is made from eggs, milk, sugar, and Caramel. All of these ingredients can cause stomach upsets in cats. Because cats don’t have enough lactase enzyme in their bodies, they can’t digest the sugar found in milk (lactose) properly.

Also, Caramel can be a choking hazard and cause long-term health issues, like tooth decay and diabetes in cats.

Can cats eat salted Caramel?

No, cats should not eat salted Caramel. That’s because salted Caramel contains tons of salt, one of the many ingredients that is absolutely harmful for cats. As mentioned above, our fuzzy friends only require 20 to 40 mg of salt per day. More than this can cause sodium poisoning or hypernatremia in cats. 

What are some feline-friendly and safe non-toxic Caramel alternatives?

Some healthier alternatives to Caramel include:

• High-quality pet food.
• Cooked chicken.
• Canned tuna.

Cats thrive on animal-based protein. Their digestive system is wired to digest meat because they are obligate carnivores. For this reason, you feline’s diet should mainly consist of meat. Therefore, cooked chicken or canned tuna are great alternatives to Caramel. Both provide tons of protein while strengthening your fuzzy friend’s vision and keeping his heart healthy.

You should also get some high-quality feline food for your little fur babies because they contain the perfect blend of ingredients that fulfill your cat’s dietary requirements. This way, if your furry companion isn’t getting enough nutrition from home-made food, he can get it from pet food.

So, can cats eat Caramel?

As we can see, cats should not eat Caramel and should not have Caramel as part of their daily diet. Regular consumption of Caramel can not only upset your kitties’ stomach but it can lead to long term health problems such as diabetes, dental issues, obesity, and even pancreatitis.

If your little fur ball accidentally ate a little bit of Caramel candy or lick a little bit of the Caramel sauce, he should be fine. However since our furry friend’s health is our number one priority, we need to make sure to keep Caramel away from them at all costs.

Related Questions

DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding dietary needs.

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramel

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/salt-toxicosis/salt-toxicosis-in-animals