Tequila is a potent alcohol. Humans enjoy having it.
But wait! What if your cats want to have some? Can cats drink tequila?
The short answer is no. Your cat can’t have it. To know the reason, keep reading!
Is it Okay for Cats to Drink Tequila?
Cats are omnivores meaning that they can eat both animal and plant-based food. Tequila is also a plant-based fermented product, so can cats drink it?
Let’s find it out!
Tequila is alcohol obtained by fermenting the agave plant. Its alcoholic content is 38-55%.
In moderate amounts, the human liver can process the spirit. But for your furry friends, that’s not the case.
For cats, alcohol is poisonous. Hence, you must keep it away from your furry companions.
What Happens If Your Feline Drinks Tequila?
If you’ve left a sip or two of the spirit in the glass, there are chances of your pet drinking it.
If it happens, what are the side effects of alcohol on the pet? It’s time to uncover them!
- If the amount is small, your feline will suffer an upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting.
Other side effects of tequila toxicity include:
- Excessive thirst and lethargy
- Increased thirst
- Kidney and liver failure
- Muscle tremors and disorientation
- Paralysis
- Shallow and sluggish breathing
- Lack of coordination
- Slow heart rate
- Seizures
The ultimate result is the death of your delicate pet.
Can Cats Drink Tequila in Small Amounts?
No matter how small or large the amount of tequila is, it’s not your cat’s drink. You must not offer it to your pet.
Suppose you are having just a teaspoon of tequila. What do you think? Will it have any effect on you?
Of course, not! That’s too tiny for you. But cats are way tinier than you.
Just a teaspoon is enough to cause them tequila poisoning.
What to Do If Your Feline Accidentally Drinks Tequila?
Furries are curious animals. They never miss any chance of ingesting your food.
But all human food is not suitable for cats. And this time, unluckily, it’s tequila.
If your cat has accidentally drunk tequila, what next? What do you need to do?
First of all, don’t panic. Panicking and stressing out won’t help.
Be brave and take your pet immediately to the nearest veterinary clinic. The vet will prescribe the pet the necessary medications to overcome other side effects.
Note: Remember, you need to be quick. The symptoms will worsen within 12-24 hours and you need to act beforehand.
How to Diagnose Tequila If Your Cat Has Consumed It?
If you’ve seen the pet drinking the leftover tequila from the glass, there’s no need to diagnose anything. You already know why the cat is losing health.
But what if you’re not sure about the intake? What must you do?
Even in that case, take the feline to the vet. The veterinarian will conduct a blood test and a urinary test.
- A blood test will measure the concentration of ethanol in the feline’s bloodstream.
- A urine test will enable the vet to measure the blood sugar level. If its concentration is low, it means your pet is having ethanol poisoning.
Are All Alcoholic Drinks Bad for Cats?
Many pet owners want to share everything they consume with their pets. But it’s a bad practice.
For instance, consider alcoholic beverages. All of them have ethanol which is a poison for felines.
Simply, the answer is yes. All alcoholic beverages are a terrible option for cats.
What Are the Possible Treatments of Tequila Poisoning?
Now that it’s confirmed, tequila has caused alcohol poisoning to the feline. The next thing that you’ll be looking for is possible treatments. Right?
The treatment depends on the time the spirit has spent in the furball’s body. Its prime purpose is to decrease the absorption of ethanol.
If you reach the vet within the first two hours of ethanol ingestion, induced vomiting is the first option. If you are a bit late, vets will opt for liquids to stop dehydration and increase urine production.
Remember that there’s no surgical procedure for ethanol poisoning as a quick treatment.
Which Foods are Good for Your Furry Companion?
Now, you must be wondering what healthy options are for your cats to consume. Right? Here’s the list.
Read it out!
1. Cheese
Cheese is a dairy product. If your delicate furry companion is lactose tolerant, cheese like cheddar, Swiss, or Gouda is a good option to feed your pet.
Cheese adds a good amount of calcium and protein to your feline’s diet. Feed it in moderation to your pet, either raw or as a part of treats.
2. Fish
Oh, fish! Cats love as many cartoons show. Salmon fish is a great source of protein for cats.
Besides, it adds omega-3 fatty acids to your cat’s diet, which boosts its immunity and makes fur healthy.
3. Meat
Other meats like chicken, turkey, mutton, and beef are also protein-rich and have healthy fatty acids. Feed them to your kitty.
4. Bananas
Though bananas are sweet, cats can still have them in moderation. Being high in potassium and soluble fiber makes them a healthy snack.
5. Carrots
Carrots contain vitamin A, potassium, carotene, antioxidants, and a lot more nutrients. Another healthy treat to your cat’s food bowl!
6. Rice
Rice is not part of your delicate kitty’s natural diet, nor does it have any nutritional value. But if your cat is suffering from diarrhea or stomach problems, including cooked rice in its diet is beneficial.
What Happens if a Cat Licks Alcohol?
Just licking alcohol once won’t put your feline on the death bed. It’s for sure.
But the cat will get an upset stomach which also causes dehydration.
Therefore, it’s better to prevent your feline from licking it.
Can Cats Get Drunk on Alcohol?
Yes, cats can get drunk on alcohol. A single teaspoon can cause alcohol poisoning in felines.
The Bottom Line
Can cats drink tequila? Tequila is an alcoholic beverage containing a good percentage of ethanol.
Your liver can easily process a shot or two of the drink but cats can’t. Ethanol is a poison to them.
Even small amounts can make your cats sick. In severe cases, your delicate kitty can even die.
Therefore, never feed tequila to the cat and keep it away from the pet’s reach to avoid accidental intake.
