Top Poisoning Risks for Cats
Last Updated on July 29, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin
The third week in March is set aside to focus awareness on Pet Poison Prevention. Cats and dogs both get into stuff they shouldn’t. Cats can get dangerously ill from toxins quickly because of their small size, the inability to process phenols, and their grooming habits. Poisons can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, but most poisonings happen because of something a cat has ingested. We pet guardians need to think about poisoning risks for our cats just like we do for our human kids.
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Top Poisoning Risks for Cats:
The most common poisoning threats for cats are human medications. 40% are of the cat calls to the pet poison control center are related to medications.
The most common threats are:
- Pain relievers: cats are particularly sensitive to acetaminophen (Tylenol), but all NSAIDS are bad.
- Cold medications
- Antidepressants
- ADHD medications
- Vitamin overdoses
Overdoses of vet prescribed medications formulated into a treat form can be a risk as cats don’t know when to stop.
As more and more places legalize the use of marijuana, the risk of toxicity to cats are on the rise. Cats are actually less susceptible to weed toxicity than dogs, but keep your stash away from Kitty. Cigarettes and nicotine patches are also a threat to cats.
For more cat safety tips read this post
Food Products that Cause Toxicity in Cats:
- Garlic, onions, and chives
- Grapes and raisins, including the grape stems (which my cats love to play with!)
- Fruit pits and seeds
- Citrus
- Chocolate
- Xylitol
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
Poison Plants:
It is appropriate that pet poison awareness falls around Easter because Easter Lilies, really all lilies are a major poison risk for cats. Even a bit of pollen can be fatal. If you have cats you don’t have lilies in your house or your yard. Period.
This year Sago Palms are extremely popular for indoor decor and widely available at home improvement and big box stores. They are not labeled as toxic, yet they pose a risk not just to your cats but to your children as well. The hard part is most palms are not toxic. Sago Palms are often simply labeled as palms. It is important to know what you are looking at when shopping for decorative plants.
Other plants to avoid around your cats are:
- Aloe
- Azalea
- Chrysanthemum
- Hyacinths
- Mistletoe
- Rhododendron
- Tulip
- Daffodils
- Crocus
- Foxglove
- Yew
Check this link out for another resource on toxic plants.
Chemicals to Keep Away from Kitty:
- Antifreeze
- Bleach
- Detergents, fabric softener sheets, and cleaning products
- Firelogs
- Pool chemicals
- De-icing salts (even indoor cats are at risk, as you can walk the salt in on your feet)
- Dog flea and tick medication (pills, collars, spot-on flea treatments, sprays, shampoos)
- Paint and paint thinner
- Fertilizers
- Weedkillers
- Insect and rodent bait
Essential Oils:
The use of essential oils with, or even around, cats is controversial. Personally, I avoid them altogether. Take care how you use them around your pets. Diffusers, cleaning products, personal care products, and candles all pose various degree of threat. Do your research before using any oil with or around your cat. If you opt to use oils, at least avoid the following oils around your cats.
- Peppermint oil
- Wintergreen oil
- Citrus oils (including lemon, popular in cleaners)
- Tea tree oil (melaleuca)
- Pine oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Cinnamon oil
- Pennyroyal oil
- Sweet birch oil
- Clove oil
- Ylang ylang oil
Signs of Poisoning in Cats Include:
- Lethargy or sluggishness
- Excessive saliva
- Dilated pupils
- Confusion
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Stumbling, tremors, or staggering
- Coughing or Breathing difficulty
- Seizures
Treatment for Poisoning in Cats
- The first step is to get as much of the toxin out of your cat’s stomach as possible to prevent it from causing more damage by inducing vomiting or administering activated charcoal. Don’t do this at home without a vet’s instruction.
- Fluid therapy will help dilute the toxic ingredients in her system, keep Kitty hydrated, support her blood pressure, and help flush out the toxins.
- What other steps are necessary depends on what other symptoms Kitty is experiencing. Medications for seizures, heart arrhythmias, liver, or kidney disease are all possible.
- Feed Kitty a bland diet for a few days after the vet releases her to allow her system to settle down.
For More Information on Poison Exposure in Cats:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/seasons/spring/
