A matter of some personal interest. I have to know… so can/should/do they?
This is what I think Fred: Alcohol is not good for cats and should therefore never be given to them. This includes beer, liquor, wine, whiskey, etc. Alcohol has the same affect on a cat’s liver and brain as it does on humans. However it takes far less of it to do damage to a feline as it would to a human. In fact, just a teaspoon or two of whiskey can cause a coma in a 5 pound cat and more than this could lead to fatality. The higher the proof of the alcohol, the worse the symptoms and the more serious the case.
Absorption And Alcohol Content
The speed at which alcohol is absorbed into your cat’s system depends on several different factors. These factors include age and weight and both determine just how intoxicated your cat will become. If your cat ingests alcohol on an empty stomach, the effects may have an even quicker onset and before more noticeable than if your kitty had a full stomach when it ingested the alcohol. The type of alcohol consumed may also create differences in the onset, symptoms, and outcomes of the situation.
Alcohol In Lethal Doses
For most cats and dogs, the lethal dose of ethanol (grain alcohol) is said to be around 5 and a half grams per kilogram of bodyweight. This means that if your cat weighs 10 pounds it will most likely not survive an ethanol dosage of more than 25 grams. To put things into perspective, a 12 ounce can of beer, a 4 ounce glass of wine, and/or a 1.25 ounce shot of whiskey all contain enough ethanol to kill your feline companion.
Symptoms Of Alcohol Poisoning In Cats
Most pets who have consumed alcohol whether intentionally or accidently will begin showing symptoms of alcohol poisoning anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours after ingesting alcohol. The following are common symptoms of alcohol poisoning in cats:
Confusion
Staggering
Behavioral Changes
Excitement
Depression
Urinating or Defecating In The House
Loss of consciousness
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Even if you only suspect that your cat may have gotten a hold of alcohol, do not ignore the above symptoms. If left untreated, your cat could die within a matter of hours. Call or visit your local veterinarian or poison control center for animals immediately. If your animal has any chance of recovering it will usually take at least 8 to 12 hours with veterinary supervision. This is no laughing matter.
Hope that helps. HHC.
Of course they do, the French even label most of their wines “chateau” which is French for cat water.
WHAT a relief. Now, I know what I am going to be doing tonight!
AH! I didn’t know that and the French are so classy that anything they do is something that I want to ape! Who knew? CAT water? AMAZING!
I am going to look upon the list below as frosting on the cake so to speak… I suppose that gateau presents one with interesting prospects. Chat = cat and eau = water and gato = cat in Spanish so if … well, you see where I am going with this! What a life lesson!
Though I doubt that there will be much “excitement” among the cleaning staff when it sees the results of my “urinating and defecating in the house.” Maybe they had better bring a newspaper?
[quote]Confusion
Staggering
Behavioral Changes
Excitement
Depression
Urinating or Defecating In The House
Loss of consciousness
Vomiting
Diarrhea[/quote]
Just don’t give 'em gin. They get meowdlin and start talking about how their mothers never loved 'em and gave 'em away at six weeks. Boring.
What religion is your cat?
Not sure but I think maybe Catholic? How can you tell what religion your cat is? Obviously, if the cat is hitting the wine, it cannot be a non-drinking religion unless it is an apostate, no?
Can/should/do cats use corkscrews?
Not if it is a twistee or the bottle is already open or the wine is already in the glass, for example…
Cat-holic, but not dog-matic.
Are you suggesting that the religion of said cat who likes wine is a combination of cat and alcoholic for catholic? and that this would not be the same as a dog automatic or dogmatic? You may be onto something or you may be “ON” something… so difficult to know which…