common household poisons and cats

Many common household products can harm cats.  Learn more about how Paracetamol, lilies, antifreeze, tick & flea products, slug baits and home decorating materials can effect your animal.

Cats are usually very sensible creatures when it comes to eating things which are not good for them. So why do vets have to deal with cats which have ingested something harmful?

A large part of the answer lies in the fact that cats like to keep themselves scrupulously clean and will groom off anything on their coats or paws which shouldn’t be there. Hence they can swallow things like antifreeze or decorating products, which they have walked through or brushed against. Cats also like to nibble at grass outside. If they do not have access to this because they are indoor cats or simply because they are young and inquisitive, they may chew indoor plants or cut flowers such as lilies. Here are some of the more dangerous poisons which cat owners should be aware of:

 

Paracetamol (Acetominophen)

• Often given to cats in a caring but misguided attempt to relieve pain.
• Highly dangerous for cats – just one tablet is enough to cause severe illness or death.
• Signs of poisoning include depression, vomiting, swelling of the face and paws and a bluish discolouration of the skin.
• An effective antidote is available, but must be used very soon after the cat has taken the tablet.

NEVER GIVE CATS PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR PEOPLE

(unless instructed otherwise by your vet)

 

Lilies

• Cats are very sensitive to plants of the Lilium species, including Easter, Stargazer, Tiger and Asiatic lilies.
• All parts of a lily are toxic, even the flowers and pollen (which can be groomed off its coat if the cat brushes past the flowers). Less than one leaf ingested by a cat can cause kidney failure.
• Signs to look for are prolonged vomiting, not eating and depression.
• Urgent veterinary treatment is required.

CHECK FLOWER LABELS FOR WARNINGS OF TOXICITY TO ANIMALS

 

Antifreeze used in cars

• Often contains ethylene glycol or methanol, which are toxic to cats. These chemicals can also be found in car screenwashes.
• They can cause weakness, hypothermia, breathing difficulties, convulsions and kidney damage.
• Treatment can be difficult and is rarely successful.

CLEAN UP ANY SPILLAGES CAREFULLY AND KEEP CATS AWAY

 

Certain dog flea and tick products

• Permethrin is found in many spot-on preparations for dogs used for the control of fleas, ticks and lice. (It is also the active ingredient in some ant powders).
• Poisoning can arise when cats are accidentally treated with such dog flea products or where they groom themselves or other animals treated with the product.
• Cats may salivate a great deal, be thirsty, have a high temperature and tremors or convulsions.
• Urgent veterinary advice is essential.

NEVER USE DOG PRODUCTS ON CATS

(unless instructed otherwise by your vet)

 

Some slug baits

• Metaldehyde is the problem ingredient in some slug baits and any amount can be toxic for a cat.
• Cats may become unsteady on their legs, salivate and twitch and can suffer convulsions.
• Signs of poisoning develop quickly so urgent treatment is needed.

AVOID PRODUCTS CONTAINING METALDEHYDE IF YOU HAVE PETS

 

Home Decorating materials

• Petroleum distillates found in solvents for paints, glass cleaners, varnishes, wood preservatives (such as creosote) and brush cleaners (e.g. white spirit), can all cause problems.
• They are irritants to the skin and footpads causing inflammation, blisters and burning. If the cat then grooms the product off the skin there may be severe irritation to its mouth.
• Fumes from the products may also cause breathing difficulties.

CLEAN UP ANY SPILLAGE CAREFULLY AND KEEP CATS AWAY