Can Cats Eat Frosting? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Frosting is a delicious topping on cupcakes, cakes, and cookies. With its main ingredients of sugar, butter, and cream, it's a sweet, tasty addition that is sure to make anyone want more. If you’re a cat parent, you’ve probably encountered your cat wanting to share this delight with you, but can cats eat frosting? Is it healthy for them?

While frosting isn’t toxic to cats, you shouldn’t give this sweet treat to them because frosting contains high amounts of sugar and unhealthy fats, which are not beneficial for felines. When it comes to cat nutrition, the questions surrounding sugary treats can be a bit more complex than just having yes or no answers, so read on as we get to the bottom of this sweets issue.

Can Cats Eat Frosting?

Let’s put it this way: If your cat gets hold of some frosting and only takes a lick or two, it likely won’t hurt them. But if your cat eats a reasonable amount, the frosting will likely cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Cats are obligate carnivores and require a diet that ideally consists of around 70% animal meat, organs, and byproducts to survive. Most pet cats do well with high-quality, complete, and balanced commercial cat food because they get the appropriate nutrient requirements, such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. 

Frosting is high in sugar and fats, which makes it bad for cats. Cats can digest most forms of carbs, but that doesn’t mean they should have carbs. Frosting holds no meaningful nutritional value for cats, so as a rule, it’s best to avoid giving this sweet treat to your feline pal.

Can Cats Taste Sweet Flavors?

Cats cannot taste sweets because their tongues lack the receptors needed to taste sweetness. If your cat is eyeballing you while you eat frosting, it’s not because they can sense the sweetness, but because you’re eating something and your cat wants in on the action.

Can Cats Eat Icing?

Icing is a little different from frosting. Icing is thin and spreads more easily, but it still holds no nutritional value for cats. Icing is made of powdered sugar and some sort of liquid, like milk or cream, none of which are healthy for your cat. Most cats are lactose intolerant, so giving them any milk is best if avoided.

• Related Read: Can Cats Drink Lactose-Free Milk? Vet Approved Facts

What Do I Do If My Cat Ate Frosting?

If your cat licked just a little bit of frosting, odds are it won’t be a cause for alarm. However, if you think your cat ate a sizable amount, you’ll probably want to call your veterinarian, especially if your cat starts drooling, vomiting, having diarrhea, or becomes lethargic.

Is Cake Poisonous to Cats?

Frosting goes on top of cakes, which is another food your cat shouldn’t have. Some types of cake are even toxic to cats. Chocolate and coffee are toxic to cats and should always be avoided. If your cat licks some non-toxic types of cake, they would probably be alright, but you should not offer them cake intentionally.

What if Frosting Has Xylitol?

Many sugar substitutes are available on the market today, and one of those substitutes is xylitol. Xylitol is a natural sugar found in plants, fruits, and even vegetables. Xylitol is often used as an artificial sweetener and is commonly added to products, such as peanut butter, pudding snacks, cookies, and yogurt, just to name a few.

Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs, and its toxicity to cats is still unclear. Xylitol does not seem to lower blood sugar in cats, nor does it seem to have liver cell toxicity as it does in dogs. However, this information is not definitive, so it’s best to steer clear of giving your cat xylitol to be safe. What is definitive is that xylitol holds no nutritional value for your cat and it’s risky at best.

Can I Give My Cat Cake on Their Birthday?

We know it’s tempting to have a cake for your feline fur baby’s birthday; however, if you do bake a cake, only the humans should actually eat it.

Luckily, numerous pet bakeries make cakes and other goodies for safe pets. Even if there’s not a pet bakery where you live, you can order such goodies online too. You can even make a cake with cat-safe ingredients if you’d rather make it yourself; recipes are at your fingertips online.

Final Thoughts

If your cat gets into the frosting from a cake, it’s no cause for alarm unless your cat consumed a reasonable amount. While it’s not toxic, frosting is bad for cats as it provides no nutritional value, is high in sugar and can cause digestive upset.

If you want to give your cat occasional human foods as treats, make sure you consult with your vet the healthiest options for your cat. Frosting is certainly not a good option. Furthermore, chocolate, coffee, or xylitol-containing frosting are toxic to cats, so make sure to keep your feline friend away from those options.