Just like humans, cats can come into contact with toxic substances that are hazardous to their health.
Cats encounter poisonous substances by swallowing them, chewing on them, inhaling them, or coming into physical contact by brushing against or walking through them. When dealing with suspected poisoning in cats, it is important to recognize the signs of poisoning and know what to do if you see them.
Quick Overview: Poisoning In Cats
Common Symptoms: Vomiting, drooling, difficulty breathing, tremors, seizures, poor appetite, lethargy, drinking and urinating excessively.
Diagnosis: History of toxin ingestion or application, bloodwork, urinalysis.
Diagnosed in Cats: Moderately often
Requires Ongoing Medication: No
Vaccine Available: No
Treatment Options: Depends on the toxin. Ingested toxins may need inudction of vomiting, activated charcoal to bind a toxin, and intravenous fluid therapy. Topical toxins may also require bathing to remove the substance. Some specific medications are needed to counteract the effects of certain toxins.
Home Remedies: Bathing wtih dishsoap if something topical was applied. Immediate veterinary care is best for any ingested toxin as most have time limitations for treatment.
What Causes Poisoning In Cats?
Many substances can cause poisoning in cats. Some of the most common causes of cat poisoning include:
- Poisonous plants such as lilies (day, tiger, japanese show), tulips, and rhododendrons, azaleas
- Ingesting or physical contact with common household products like bleach, disinfectants, and other cleaning products, antifreeze, insecticides, pesticides, and rodenticides (rat poison)
- Common drugs like Ibuprofen, acetaminophen (also called paracetamol), antidepressants, cannabis products, and over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers
- Topical insecticides designed to kill fleas and ticks and all products containing permethrin
- Ingestion of human foods, especially anything that contains xylitol, garlic, onions, alcohol, chocolate, black tea, coffee, excessive levels of fat, raw fish, grapes, and raisins, or any other dried fruit
Also Read:What Can Cats Eat? 36 Human Foods Cats Can Eat – and 8 They Can’t!
Poisoning in cats is a serious problem.
While poisoning in cats is no more common than poisoning in dogs, it can often result in more severe symptoms.
This is due to several factors, including:
- Their relatively small size. Even small doses of toxins can be poisonous in small animals. Kittens are at even higher risk because they are so small.
- Cats metabolize chemicals differently than dogs, which can make it more difficult or even impossible to eliminate the toxic substance from their body.
- Many cats live unsupervised and outdoors, where they can come into contact with toxic substances. Many pet parents don’t even realize their cat has been poisoned because they didn’t see their cat come into contact with the toxic substance.
- Cats lick themselves to groom, and accidentally ingesting a substance while grooming is a common cause of poisoning in cats.
Symptoms Of Poisoning In Cats
The symptoms of poisoning in cats differ depending on the substance that caused the poisoning, but there are a few key signs to look for.
The signs of poisoning in cats vary dramatically depending on what toxin the cat has been exposed to, the overall health of the cat, how the cat was exposed (ingestion, inhalation, etc.), how long ago the exposure happened, and the amount of poison exposed to the cat.
Cats are masters at hiding illness, and in mild cases, you may not notice any symptoms at all. Poisoning affects the whole body, but the most common body systems affected include the gastrointestinal system, the skin, the kidneys, the liver, and the nervous system.
Typically, if signs of poisoning are going to show up they tend to occur all of a sudden, i.e. the cat was fine and now he is not, however, in some cases, the response can be delayed 24 hours or longer.
The most common signs of poisoning in cats include:
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy or weakness, wobbly gait
- Unresponsive
- Tremors, seizures, or twitching
- Appetite loss
- Drinking more than normal or excessive urination
- Red or raw skin or paw pads due to a chemical burn
- Bloody vomit, saliva, and/or stools
- Pale gums
- Excessive sneezing
- Hiding or decreased social behavior
- Yellowish tint to skin and whites of eyes (jaundice)
- Racing heartrate or excessively slow heartrate (resting normal heartrate in cats is 130-150 beats per minute)
What Should I Do If I Suspect My Cat Has Been Poisoned?
As soon as you suspect that your cat may have been poisoned, immediately contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital.
If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned do not wait: call your local veterinarian during normal business hours or your local emergency veterinary hospital.
Many people will wait until their cat shows signs of sickness, but if you know your cat has been exposed to a toxin, or if your cat is showing any signs of poisoning, the best thing you can do is call your vet immediately.
Also Read:Plants Poisonous to Cats: Toxic Plants to Avoid
The reason for this is your vet may be able to safely remove the toxic substance from your cat’s body, thus avoiding the signs of poisoning altogether. If you don’t have access to a local veterinarian, call the pet poison helpline or your local poison control.
If you know what your cat has been exposed to, bring a sample of it or a picture of it with you to the vet. Make sure to include the ingredient label if applicable. This is important because it will give your vet the information she needs to possibly save your cat’s life.
Even if you have googled and know how to induce vomiting in your cat, never induce vomiting in a cat without the supervision of a veterinarian or poison expert, either in person or over the phone. Some substances, such as bleach, can burn the esophagus in a cat that has been induced to vomit, and inducing vomiting is not the right choice in all cases of poisoning.
Can Cats Recover From The Signs Of Poisoning?
With the right treatment, most cats can recover from poisoning and go on to lead healthy lives.
In most cases, cats can recover without incident from poisoning and go on to live long, normal, healthy lives. In other cases, such as cats that develop kidney failure from ingesting lilies or ethylene glycol in antifreeze, there may be permanent damage to internal organs from the poisoning.
If your cat ever comes into contact with a poison, seeking prompt veterinary attention is your best bet and helping your cat recover quickly without long-term problems.
How To Prevent Poisoning In Cats
The best medicine is preventive medicine. Here are some tips on how to keep your cat safe:
- Keep your cat indoors. If your cat likes the outdoors, take your cat out on a leash or keep your cat secured in a safe space, like a Catio.
- Make sure your cat is protected from toxic substances by keeping all potentially toxic substances in your home, including chemical, insecticides, pesticides, locked away out of reach of animals.
- Check your yard for toxic plants, and bar your cat’s access to these plants.
- Keep all over-the-counter and prescription medicine and supplements in a closed cabinet.
- Avoid using over-the-counter flea treatments, flea collars, and sprays that contain permethrins on your cat. Permethrins are extremely toxic to cats.
By educating yourself about what is not safe for your cat, and making mindful changes in your environment to keep your cat away from these substances, you and will protect your cat from accidental poisoning. Who knows – you may even save a friend’s cat’s life as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my cat has been poisoned?
The signs of poisoning in cats vary dramatically depending on what toxin the cat has been exposed to, the overall health of the cat, how the cat was exposed (ingestion, inhalation, etc.), how long ago the exposure happened, and the amount of poison ingested or otherwise exposed. Cats are masters at hiding illness, and in mild cases, you may not notice any symptoms at all. Poisoning affects the whole body, but the most common body systems affected include the gastrointestinal system, the skin, the kidneys, the liver, and the neurological system.
Typically, if signs of poisoning are going to show up they tend to occur all of a sudden, i.e. the cat was fine and now he is not, however, in some cases, the response can be delayed 24 hours or longer. The most common signs of poisoning in cats include:
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Diarrhoea
- Difficulty breathing
- Lethargy or weakness, wobbly gait
- Unresponsive
- Tremors, seizures, or twitching
- Appetite loss
- Drinking more than normal or excessive urination
- Red or raw skin or paw pads due to a chemical burn
- Bloody vomit, saliva, and/or stools
- Pale gums
- Excessive sneezing
- Hiding or decreased social behavior
- Yellowish tint to skin and whites of eyes (jaundice)
- Racing heartrate or excessively slow heartrate (resting normal heartrate in cats is 130-150 beats per minute)
If you notice any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian, a veterinary emergency clinic, or if neither are available, the ASPCA 24 hour poison hotline.
Can cats recover from poisoning on their own?
Whether or not a cat can recover from poisoning without veterinary treatment depends on the overall health of the cat, the amount of toxic substance the the cat was exposed to, and the type of poison. Most of the time, it is still a very good idea to call your vet for advice. If your cat is showing any signs of poisoning, then call your vet immediately.
How do you save a poisoned cat?
The best thing to do if your suspect your cat has been poisoned is to call your local veterinarian, a local veterinary emergency clinic, or the pet poison hotline at (888) 426-4435 immediately.
Make sure your cat is in a safe place, and remove any access to toxins. Save the toxic substance or make a note of what you think your cat was exposed to so that you can relay that information to your veterinarian.
Do not induce vomiting or start any other at home medical treatment in your cat without the supervision of a veterinarian.
FAQs
What are symptoms of poisoning in cats? ›
Uncharacteristic sluggishness, unsteady gait, drooling, heavy breathing, diarrhea, seizures, and sudden bouts of vomiting are among the common clinical signs of feline poisoning (toxicosis). A cat owner who observes any of these signs will do an animal a huge favor by seeking emergency veterinary care.
What causes poison in cats? ›The most common cause of poisoning in cats is from ingestion of substances on their fur becuase they spend the majority if their time grooming themselves. Unlike dogs, cats are typically very fussy eaters and it is uncommon for cats to consume a poisonous food product unless it's mixed in with their food.
How do you treat a cat that has been poisoned? ›Contact your vet immediately. Don't wait for signs of illness as by then your cat may be too sick to survive. If you can see the poison, take your cat away from it immediately. If possible, take a sample of the poison with you to your vet appointment to help the vet choose a course of treatment.
Do poisoned cats survive? ›Can cats recover from poisoning? Cats can and do survive being poisoned if they're treated early and appropriately. In one study of 20 cats poisoned by permethrin, a chemical widely used in flea control products for dogs, only one died and this was because he wasn't taken to a vet for 24 hours.
How long does poison last in a cat? ›Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Hello the side effects can last 24 to 48 hours. If your cat is not eating it would be best for your vet to see your cat.
Vomiting. Diarrhoea. Twitching or seizure. Breathing difficulties (rapid or labored)
How long does it take for a cat to show symptoms of poisoning? ›Once a cat ingests or comes in contact with a toxin, symptoms may not show up right away. Some toxins may take 3 to 4 days to show any effects.
Does milk help with cat poisoning? ›No. Milk is unlikely to be helpful in the vast majority of poisoning situations and can sometimes make things worse. Most pets are lactose intolerant and giving milk can cause or worsen stomach upset symptoms.
How do you treat a pet that has been poisoned? ›One of the most common treatment options for poisoning in dogs is inducing vomiting. Other treatment may include medication to reduce pain and symptoms, overnight monitoring, or IV's for flushing out the toxins in the system.
How does poison affect the body? ›The effects produced by poisons may be local (hives, blisters, inflammation) or systemic (hemorrhage, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea, clouding of the senses, paralysis, respiratory or cardiac arrest). Agricultural pesticides are often poisonous to humans. Some industrial chemicals can be very toxic or carcinogenic.
What poisons cats fast? ›
- Ant baits: These contain boric acid which is toxic to cats if eaten in a large amount. ...
- Antifreeze (ethylene glycol): Antifreeze is a common cause of poisoning in small animals.
Many liquid potpourri products and essential oils, including oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang, are poisonous to cats.
What are the symptoms of being slowly poisoned? ›- feeling and being sick.
- diarrhoea.
- stomach pain.
- drowsiness, dizziness or weakness.
- high temperature.
- chills (shivering)
- loss of appetite.
- headache.
In most cases, cats can recover without incident from poisoning and go on to live long, normal, healthy lives. In other cases, such as cats that develop kidney failure from ingesting lilies or ethylene glycol in antifreeze, there may be permanent damage to internal organs from the poisoning.
Can you save a poisoned cat? ›25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435). Even with treatment, one in 100 poisoned pets dies.
What is the first step in any case of suspected poisoning? ›Take off any clothing the poison touched. Rinse skin with running water for 15 to 20 minutes. Call the toll-free Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222), which connects you to your local poison center.
What happens when an animal gets poisoned? ›Symptoms caused by swallowed poisons can include: vomiting, diarrhoea, agitation and heart issues. Inhaled toxins may cause breathing difficulties or loss of consciousness in dogs. If your dog's skin comes in contact with a poisonous substance typical symptoms include irritation and pain.
Does my cat have food poisoning? ›Symptoms of cat food poisoning by Salmonella
Diarrhoea. Lethargy. Dehydration. Mucus in the stool.
activated charcoal – sometimes used to treat someone who's been poisoned; the charcoal binds to the poison and stops it being further absorbed into the blood. antidotes – these are substances that either prevent the poison from working or reverse its effects. sedatives – may be given if the person is agitated.
What organs are affected by poisoning? ›The liver and kidneys are common organs affected by chemical toxicity. The kidneys are responsible for the filtration of the blood, so it is not surprising that deleterious agents in the blood may accumulate there.
What are the 3 types of poison? ›
In regard to poisoning, chemicals can be divided into three broad groups: agricultural and industrial chemicals, drugs and health care products, and biological poisons—i.e., plant and animal sources. These three groups, along with a fourth category, radiation, are discussed below.
What happens to cats when they eat poison? ›Many toxins produce gastrointestinal signs (vomiting and diarrhoea), others produce neurological signs (tremors, incoordination, seizures, excitability, depression, or coma), respiratory signs (coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing), skin signs (inflammation, swelling), liver failure (jaundice, vomiting) or kidney ...
Can a poisoned cat be saved? ›25% of poisoned pets recover within two hours. Of the pets that take longer to recover, many can be treated at home with the advice of your veterinarian or with advice from the ASPCA Poison Control Center (telephone 1-888-426-4435). Even with treatment, one in 100 poisoned pets dies.
Will milk help a poisoned cat? ›No. Milk is unlikely to be helpful in the vast majority of poisoning situations and can sometimes make things worse. Most pets are lactose intolerant and giving milk can cause or worsen stomach upset symptoms.
How do you flush a cat's system? ›- Milk Thistle. Milk thistle is the go-to herb for regenerating and protecting the liver, the organ responsible for detoxifying the body. ...
- Vitamin E. ...
- Vitamin C. ...
- Green Tea. ...
- Zinc. ...
- SAMe. ...
- Dandelion. ...
- Red Clover.