Can Cats Drink Chocolate Milk? Vet-Approved Risks, Facts, & FAQ

Vet approved

Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Amanda Charles

Veterinarian, BVSc GPCert (Derm) MRCVS

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Dangers
Benefits
What To Do
Tips
Alternatives

Cats are entertaining pets with many strange habits, and as pet owners, we often wonder what is safe to feed them. You may have heard that many cats like milk and wonder if it’s safe to feed them chocolate milk. Unfortunately, cats should avoid chocolate milk because it is unhealthy for them to consume. Keep reading as we list the possible dangers and share safe alternatives and other interesting facts to help you be better informed.

Dangers of Feeding Chocolate Milk to a Cat

Theobromine

Chocolate is harmful to cats due to a substance it contains called theobromine. The signs of chocolate poisoning include vomiting,¹ diarrhea and increased drinking and urination. Theobromine can also cause agitation and restlessness and in severe cases an increased heart rate, tremors and seizures. Very rarely it can even be fatal.

Theobromine Levels in Different Chocolate Types

The level of theobromine varies in different types of chocolate. Dark chocolate contains the highest concentration of theobromine, followed by milk chocolate, while white chocolate has the least.

Note that cocoa powder is especially toxic because it contains a high concentration of theobromine. If you are making chocolate milk at home using cocoa powder you must be especially careful to keep it well away from your curious kitty. In general for commercial chocolate milks the chocolate is already diluted and so it would take larger amounts to make your cat seriously unwell. However cats should avoid all forms of chocolate.

Caffeine

Chocolate also contains smaller amounts of caffeine, another potentially harmful ingredient. Cats are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than us humans and it can cause their heart rate to increase and cause them to be hyperactive, jittery and restless.

Caffeine Levels in Different Chocolate Types

Like theobromine, the caffeine level will be higher in darker chocolate, with white chocolate containing none. The levels in chocolate milk are usually relatively low but it is recommended that cats do not ingest any caffeine so it’s another reason to avoid your cat having any chocolate milk.

Lactose

While it’s a stereotypical practice to leave out milk for cats, many felines become lactose intolerant once they are a few months old, as they lose the enzyme that they need to digest it. Consuming milk of any kind, including chocolate, can lead to an upset stomach and signs such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Young male vet doctor holding cute black and white tuxedo cat — Image Credit: ViJpeg, Shutterstock

Sugar

Another problem with feeding chocolate milk to your cat is that it can contain a large amount of sugar. Since cats can’t taste sweet things, and sugar can lead to upset tummies and weight gain, there’s no reason for it to be in their diet.

Artificial Sweeteners

Certain brands of chocolate milk try to reduce the number of calories by using an artificial sweetener, but these are also not ideal for your kitty. While cats seem to tolerate these sweeteners better than dogs, it’s still better to avoid them until more studies are done.

Benefits of Feeding Chocolate Milk to a Cat

There are no benefits to feeding chocolate milk to your cat, even if they are tolerant of milk they don’t need all that added sugar in their diet. Even though it is diluted the chocolate still contains both theobromine and caffeine and it is just not worth the risk. If your cat needs to be encouraged to drink more there are much better options to increase their fluid intake.

Signs That Your Cat Consumed Chocolate Milk

The most common sign your cat will show after consuming some chocolate milk is vomiting and diarrhea due to the lactose, sugar and fat content. A small amount is unlikely to result in signs of chocolate toxicity as the chocolate is diluted.

Ingestion of larger amounts or more concentrated products may cause signs of chocolate toxicity which as well as GI signs can cause restlessness, muscle tremors and an increased heart rate.

What Do I Do If My Cat Consumes Chocolate Milk?

If your cat has had a few licks from the bottom of a glass then it is unlikely that your cat will suffer too many adverse effects but you should monitor them closely. As mentioned above if your cat has ingested any concentrated cocoa powder while making chocolate milk at home then you should contact your vet straight away.
If you have any concerns about signs they are showing or how much they have ingested then you should seek veterinary assistance. Your vet will want to know the amount of chocolate milk ingested and any signs that your cat is experiencing. They will also likely want to know the brand of chocolate milk and the ingredients.
If your vet is unavailable you can also call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-213-6680) and ask for advice.
Never try to induce vomiting at home, most methods can cause serious complications and make your cat more unwell.

Tips for Preventing Chocolate Milk Consumption

Keep all chocolate and chocolate-containing products out of your cat’s reach. Store chocolate in sealed containers, and secure it in cabinets or places that your cat cannot access.
Educate family members and guests about the dangers of chocolate for cats, especially if they are visiting and might not be aware of the risks.
Train your cat to stay off the counter or other areas where they might find chocolate milk or other potentially harmful substances.

Alternatives to Chocolate Milk

Catnip

Catnip is a popular treat among cats that can induce temporary euphoria and excitement. Many cats enjoy playing with catnip-infused toys or consuming small amounts of dried catnip during playtime.

Commercial Cat Treats

A wide variety of commercial cat treats are safe and tasty for felines. Look for ones made from high-quality ingredients, and avoid those with artificial additives. Limiting the number of treats that you feed to your cat to less than 10% of their total calorie intake is also important to prevent weight gain.

maine coon cat eating treats outside — Image Credit: Nikola Cedikova, Shutterstock

Cooked Meat and Fish

Offer small amounts of cooked lean meat or fish as occasional treats. Avoid seasonings, bones, and any other ingredients that are harmful to cats or could create a choking hazard.

Kitten Milk

If you are hand rearing a kitten then you should feed them special kitten formula milk instead of cow’s milk (or milk from any other species). This is so it contains the right balance of nutrients for their growth and development.

Summary

Unfortunately, cats cannot consume chocolate milk due to the chocolate, lactose and high levels of sugar it contains. Cow’s milk in general is best avoided as most adult cats are lactose intolerant meaning that they are unable to digest it and can suffer from upset tummies after they drink it. While a few licks of chocolate milk are unlikely to cause an issue, if you are concerned about how much your cat has consumed, or they are showing any signs of being unwell you should contact your vet straight away for advice. There are many safer treats to give your cat which they will likely appreciate more!

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Sources

Featured Image Credit: gowithstock, Shutterstock