By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
A box of donuts at the office or on the kitchen bench is hard for a cat to resist, especially if there is cream or icing involved. If your cat has licked some sugar off a plain cinnamon donut, it is unlikely to be poisoned. Donuts are still a poor food for cats. They are fried dough coated in sugar, and the glazes and fillings can change a minor upset into something that needs a phone call.
Key takeaways
- A crumb of plain donut is not toxic, but donuts are high in sugar and fat and offer cats nothing.
- Chocolate glazes, sprinkles over chocolate and chocolate fillings contain theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to cats.
- Cream and custard fillings contain lactose, which many cats do not digest well.
- Evidence for raisin and xylitol toxicity in cats is limited, but we still recommend treating any exposure with caution.
- Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) if the donut had chocolate in it.
- Related reading: chocolate dip donuts and cats.
What is in a donut?
Donuts are typically made from wheat flour, sugar, eggs, milk, butter or oil and yeast or baking powder, then fried and coated in sugar, glaze or icing. Fillings include jam, custard, cream and chocolate. Toppings range from sprinkles to nuts and biscuit crumbs. Every shop is different, so check what was in the one your cat ate.
Sugar and fat
Cats are obligate carnivores, and RSPCA Australia explains that they need nutrients found only in animal tissue. Cats also cannot taste sweetness, according to research published in PLoS Genetics, so the sugar is wasted on them. RSPCA Australia lists fatty foods among foods harmful to cats, and fried, sugary food can cause vomiting or diarrhoea. The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that obesity is the most common nutritional problem in cats.
Chocolate
The Pet Poison Helpline explains that chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, an elevated heart rate, hyperactivity, tremors and seizures. The severity depends on the type and amount of chocolate and the size and health of the cat. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that signs usually appear within 6 to 12 hours. The Pet Poison Helpline also warns that chocolate baked goods may contain other concerning ingredients, such as macadamia nuts, raisins or xylitol.
Cream, custard and jam
- Cream and custard: the ASPCA notes that pets lack much of the enzyme that digests lactose, so dairy may cause diarrhoea.
- Jam: mostly sugar, which cats do not need.
- Nuts: RSPCA Australia lists nuts among foods harmful to cats.
Raisins and sweeteners
Older versions of this article said raisins and xylitol in donuts are highly toxic to cats and cause kidney failure. The evidence in cats is more limited than in dogs. A study in the Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics found no toxic effects in cats given xylitol by mouth. A study that followed 13 cats exposed to grapes or raisins found that none developed acute kidney injury. The Pet Poison Helpline notes dogs are the only species in which grapes have been positively identified as toxic. RSPCA Australia still lists grapes, raisins and sultanas as harmful to cats, so call for advice if your cat ate them.
Signs to watch for
After a bite of plain donut:
- Vomiting
- Soft stools or diarrhoea
After chocolate or a large amount:
- Restlessness, panting or hyperactivity
- A racing heart
- Repeated vomiting
- Tremors or seizures
When to call a vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline
Call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline (1300 869 738) if your cat ate:
- Any chocolate glaze, filling or topping
- A donut containing raisins or nuts
- More than a bite or two
Seek emergency care for tremors, seizures, collapse or breathing difficulty.
Do not try to make your cat vomit at home. The Pet Poison Helpline warns that salt should never be used to induce vomiting.
How vets help
Your vet will ask which donut, how much and when. A photo of the box or the shop's ingredient list helps. Most cats that steal a crumb of plain donut need only monitoring. If chocolate was involved, your vet can estimate the risk and decide whether treatment is needed.
Prevention
- Keep donut boxes closed and up high.
- Clear plates and napkins promptly.
- Keep office treats away from shop cats and pet-friendly workplaces.
- Give your cat a cat treat when the donuts come out.
FAQ
My cat licked a glazed donut. Is that bad?
A lick of plain glaze is unlikely to cause harm. Watch for tummy upset.
Is a chocolate sprinkle donut dangerous?
Chocolate sprinkles and glazes contain chocolate. Call your vet or the poisons line for advice.
Can cats eat donut holes?
They are the same dough and sugar. A crumb is fine, but they are not a treat.
What about baked donuts?
They are less fatty, but still sugary and often iced.
Talk with a vet
If your cat got into the donuts and you want help judging the risk, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide what to do. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Pet Poison Helpline. Chocolate.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Chocolate Toxicosis in Animals.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. What should I feed my cat?.
- RSPCA Knowledgebase. Do cats have special nutritional requirements?.
- Li X, et al. PLoS Genet. 2005;1(1):e3. Pseudogenization of a Sweet-Receptor Gene Accounts for Cats' Indifference toward Sugar.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Obesity.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Jerzsele Á, et al. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2018;41(3):409-414. Effects of p.o. administered xylitol in cats.
- Dijkman MA, et al. J Small Anim Pract. 2022;63(6):447-453. Incidence of Vitis fruit-induced clinical signs and acute kidney injury in dogs and cats.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Feline Safety.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt.
- Animal Poisons Helpline (Australia, 1300 869 738). Animal Poisons Helpline | 24/7 Pet Poisoning Advice.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.