Why can't cats have coffee? - briefly
Cats should not consume coffee due to their unique metabolism and sensitivity to caffeine. Theobromine and caffeine in coffee are toxic to felines, potentially leading to severe health issues such as restlessness, rapid heartbeat, and even death.
Why can't cats have coffee? - in detail
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means their diet should primarily consist of meat. Their bodies are not equipped to process many substances that humans can consume without issue. One such substance is caffeine, found in coffee.
Caffeine acts as a stimulant, affecting the central nervous system by blocking adenosine receptors. In humans, this results in increased alertness and focus. However, cats metabolize caffeine much more slowly than humans do. The half-life of caffeine in cats is approximately 168 hours, compared to about 4.9 hours in humans. This means that the effects of caffeine can linger in a cat's system for days, leading to potentially severe health issues.
Symptoms of caffeine toxicity in cats include restlessness, rapid heartbeat, increased urination, and even seizures in extreme cases. The lethal dose of caffeine for cats is much lower than that for humans. As little as 100 mg of caffeine can be fatal to a cat, while a human would need approximately 5,700 mg to reach the same level of toxicity.
Moreover, coffee contains other compounds such as theobromine and theophylline, which are also harmful to cats. These substances further complicate the issue, making coffee an all-around dangerous beverage for felines.
In summary, while a small amount of caffeine may not cause immediate harm to a cat, it is best to avoid giving them any coffee due to their slower metabolism and the potential for severe health consequences. It is always safer to stick to a diet that aligns with their natural carnivorous needs.