All humans have experienced brain freeze at some point in their lives, but did you know that it can also happen to your feline pal? In case you don’t know, brain freeze, by definition, is when a human has a headache that results from eating or drinking something that is way too cold.

It’s a very intense pain, but it isn’t dangerous and usually goes away within a few seconds to a minute. You can find plenty of videos on YouTube with cats reacting to their first taste of ice cream. But is that actually brain freeze? While it can’t be proven that cats can get brain freeze, we think it’s highly possible. If you want to know more about this strange occurrence in your furry friend, keep reading.

What Are the Possible Causes of Brain Freeze in Cats?

If you give your cat ice cream or a frozen treat, it is highly possible that you will trigger a brain freeze. However, there are other reasons a cat can experience brain freeze. As a human, you know that if you have a cavity, eating something hot or cold can trigger pain, and cats feel the same pain.

Of course, brushing your cat’s teeth is a difficult task, so they don’t get the same type of dental attention that dogs do. A similar reaction to brain freeze can result from a cat reacting to an infected tooth or gums. If you think your cat is suffering from a dental issue, it’s best to contact your vet immediately for an appointment for diagnosis and treatment options.

Can Brain Freeze Hurt Your Cat?

Brain freeze isn’t dangerous to humans, so we assume it isn’t dangerous to cats. However, like pet parents getting brain frozen, it probably makes your feline uncomfortable for a few minutes. If your cat experiences brain freeze too many times, they might associate the pain with eating and eat less the next time.

This could result in the cat developing hepatic lipidosis, which is caused by a cat not eating and is quite deadly to your feline pal. On top of that, ice cream isn’t the right treat to give a cat, and it can cause them to have digestive issues or an upset stomach, which no pet parent wants their feline to experience. Also, if your cat is sensitive or intolerant to dairy products, they could end up with pancreatitis if they eat ice cream or other dairy too often.

Wrap Up

Yes, it is possible for cats to develop brain freeze, we think, but there is no research to confirm it. It’s best that you don’t give your cat ice cream or frozen treats because they could start to associate the pain with eating, which could lead to fatal consequences for your feline pal. It’s best to feed your kitty high-quality cat food and limit treats to 10% of their diet.

Featured Image Credit: MDV1, Shutterstock

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