Protect your furry friend

Many believe that because cats are finicky eaters they are poisoned less often than dogs. However, with their curiosity and fastidious grooming, intoxication is, unfortunately, not uncommon. Factors such as body size, hiding habits and lack of certain liver enzymes can make them more sensitive to poisoning than dogs.

Cats can be poisoned a number of ways including ingesting a substance directly or indirectly, through poisoned prey or grooming of contaminated fur.

  • Symptoms can vary depending on the particular poison. Some examples include:
  • Gastrointestinal signs such as drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea
  • Neurological signs including hiding, excitability, incoordination, tremors, seizures, or lethargy
  • Respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing, or difficult breathing
  • Skin signs of redness, inflammation and swelling

Some toxins act on more than one body system, and can produce any combination of the above signs. It is important to remember that, while most cases of intoxication will cause acute (sudden) problems, chronic, delayed intoxication can also arise (albeit more rarely).

I think my cat has been poisoned. What should I do?

If you suspect your cat may have had access to a poisonous substance, it is important to contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline or seek veterinary care as soon as possible. If the cat is anxious and aggressive, it is usually best to wrap it in a towel and put it in a carrier or box to prevent it from hurting itself or you.

Wrapping in a towel also prevents the cat from ingesting further contamination from its coat. It is NOT advisable to try to make the cat vomit, since no home products effectively result in vomiting in cats. Only veterinarians can medically induce vomiting with injectable medications.

My cat has some ‘chemical’ on its coat. What should I do?

You should only attempt home treatment when the contamination is mild and is confined to the coat. The aim of treatment is to prevent absorption through the skin or internal ingestion of the substance.

When in doubt, if you cannot safety bathe your cat without getting injured, it’s best to bring your cat directly to your veterinarian to allow for proper restraint. To remove chemicals from a cat’s coat, it is best to clip off contaminated hair (using clippers, never scissors or anything that can damage or injure you or your pet!) and then wash the cat with a liquid dish soap. It is important to remove as much of the contamination as possible prior to washing, since the process of washing can increase the absorption of some chemicals. After any potential exposure to poisons, it is advisable to keep the cat indoors for 24 hours for observation. Keep it in a warm, quiet room. If your cat shows any symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately.

What should I do if my cat has swallowed some of this chemical?

If you feel your cat may have swallowed a toxin, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) to determine if the product was poisonous at all. When in doubt, seek immediate veterinary care. Even if the contamination was confined to the coat, many chemicals and toxins can still be absorbed across the skin or groomed off the skin and orally ingested. Do not try to induce vomiting at home, or begin any home remedies without consultation from a vet or Pet Poison Helpline.

What sort of things can poison cats?

According to data from Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control based out of Minneapolis, the top five cat toxins of 2010 include:

  • Human or veterinary drugs – pet owners should never try and treat their cat with human medications or with medications prescribed for another pet.
  • Poisonous plants – some common household plants which are harmful to pets if ingested include: lilies, azaleas, Rhododendron, sago palm and schefflera
  • Insecticides or rodenticides – make sure insect and rodent bait products are safely secured so your pet cannot access them and never use an insecticide product which is specifically formulated for your pet.
  • Household cleaners such as bleach can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory system or gastrointestinal symptoms if they lick their paws after walking on a wet floor.
  • Other toxins, such as glow sticks and liquid potpourri

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