Is Stevia Safe for Cats?

Stevia rebaudiana is a plant whose leaves are known for their excessive sweetness. It is used as a sweetener and a sugar substitute, though in some countries it can only be sold as a dietary supplement, and in others it is banned outright.

  1. History

    • Stevia has been used for decades in Japan as a sweetener for pickles and other foods, and has been long-used in Paraguay, Brazil and Bolivia as a herbal medicine used to treat heartburn and other ailments. It is prized as a sugar substitute because it has no carbohydrates and no calories. However, the FDA has persistently denied manufacturers the opportunity to use stevia as a food additive.

    Health Risks

    • Small mammals like cats are one of the species that stevia could, if used in large quantities, have an adverse effect on the reproductive, cardiovascular and renal systems of, as raised as a concern by the FDA. According to toxicologist Ryan Huxtable of the University of Arizona, large amounts of stevia can interfere with the absorption of carbohydrates in animals. Stevia can also be converted into a mutagenic compound which may promote cancer. Though the tests that demonstrated this were performed on rats and hamsters, the same results would apply to cats.

    Stevia and Pets

    • Though doubts remain about the long-term effects of heavy use of stevia, it is non-toxic and should be safe to be given to pets in small doses (it is used in some pet toothpastes.) If, however, your pet reacts badly to it you should call your vet immediately.