In the list of your candy treats, you may have skittles as one of your favorite items. However, if you love having skittles on a regular basis, you may give them to your pets like your cat. And this is the time when you have to think twice that candies are not even considered good for humans, then how it can be considered good or safe for cats. So, a question will float in your mind, can cats eat skittles? Before getting to the answer, it is imperative to look at the ingredients of the skittles to know more about them.
A bunch of small candies having a range of colors is made with a variety of flavors. The companies producing candies give special attention to making attractive skittles packs with so much variety. It is important to know the ingredients use in making these skittles. No doubt, skittles can have a yummy taste to cherish a few moments with sweetness; however, they cannot be taken as a healthy snack for humans. Food color is used with a heavy amount of sugar to make these skittles. So, if these food colors and sugar are not deemed safe or good for humans, then there is less likely to consider it for your cat too.
Is Skittles Good or Bad for My Cat?
The critical thing to understand is that sugar itself is not taken as a harmful ingredient for cats, rather there are various other ingredients and sweets added in skittles it which make it unhealthy for your cat, and should be avoided. Artificial sweeteners are added in skittles such as Xylitol. These kinds of sweeteners are associated with different health issues such as seizures, a drop in blood sugar level, damage to the liver, as well as, stomach problems. The other ingredients added for flavor and variety in sugar can also be a reason for the kidney failure of your cat.
Keeping the above information in context, you must realize the fact that skittles are not recommended for your cat, as these skittles are not safe for them in a variety of ways. We all know that cats can be curious and naughty and they may end up seeing opened jar or pack of skittles and may eat some of them. These skittles can choke your cat, making breathing difficult for her. So, it is your responsibility to ensure that skittles and candies are kept away from the reach of your cat. If you have a jar of packets of skittles, place them in a locked box so that your cat cannot reach them. Make sure that she cannot access them.
In addition, ensure that your trash can is empty, and if you have thrown a few expired or unwanted skittles in it, they must be removed from the trash can as early as possible because cats may smell the food items in a trash can. It is also critical to set a rule for other people at the home to know that candies and skittles are not allowed for your cat. If there are any children around, tell them not to give their candies and skittles to your cat.
After making all of the above efforts, if your cat has still reached skittles, and eaten some of them, then make sure that she is fine apparently. Like if your cat is able to breathe, walk, etc. If you notice anything unusual in this regard, immediately rush to your veterinary doctor without wasting a single minute. Share all the critical details with the doctor like what kind of candy or skittle is eaten by your cat, what was the amount approximately, etc. It is even suggested to bring the packing or wrapper of the skittles so that doctor can have a look at the ingredients used in those skittles.
The fact is that skittles may not prove too toxic for your cat; still, they cannot be considered healthy or nutritious for your cat. If your cat over consumes skittles in your absence, it can badly disturb her stomach as they are not easy to digest for a cat. If you want to be sure about the safety and health of your cat, be sure to get advice from the relevant experts.
Final Thoughts
Can my cat eat some skittles? The answer to this question is “Yes” but you must be aware of the fact that skittles are generally not considered good and safe for your cat. You can give it to them in a very little amount, but it is better if you can avoid doing so. One or two skittles may not cause a problem, however, you never know.