What to do if you think your cat has been poisoned
- Stay calm and move your cat (or cats) away from the source of poison.
- Call your vet immediately - they'll want to know:
- The exact name of the substance
- Roughly how much was ingested
- When or how long ago it was ingested
- The symptoms your cat is showing
Follow your vet's advice - they'll tell you what the situation is depending on the poison and how much of it your cat has had.
Here are a few things to remember:
- Never try to treat or medicate cats yourself. Some medicines for humans and other animals may be poisonous to cats.
- Never try to make cats vomit. Don't use salt water, as it's extremely dangerous.
- If their skin or fur is contaminated, wash it with mild shampoo and water, rinse well and dry.
- Keep cats away from any other animals to avoid cross-contamination.
Common cat poisons
Some of the most common and potentially severe cat poisons are:
- Paracetamol - keep your painkillers out of reach of your pets
- Lilies - these flowers look and smell beautiful, but are potentially lethal to your cat
- Ethylene glycol - the active ingredient in antifreeze
- Spot-on flea treatments for dogs - many contain Permethrin, which is poisonous to cats
- Metaldehyde - found in slug and snail baits or pellets
- Decorating materials - such as paints, varnishes, preservatives, paint and glass cleaners. These can contain petroleum distillates, which are harmful to cats
Rock salt poisoning
Rock salt is a mixture of salt (sodium chloride) and grit and is used to help de-ice roads in winter. Rock salt can be a danger to pets such as dogs and cats, if they lick it from their paws or fur.
It's difficult to say how much needs to be eaten for signs of poisoning to be seen. Even a small amount of pure salt can be very dangerous for pets. Ingestion can result in a high blood sodium concentration which can cause thirst, vomiting and lethargy, and in severe cases there is a risk of convulsions and kidney damage.
Most cases involve animals that have walked through gritted snow and then lick or chew it off their paws as they can find it irritating. It's important to thoroughly wipe your pet’s feet and the fur on their legs and tummy after a walk or time outside. If they're showing any signs of discomfort after possible exposure to rock salt, use a mild, pet-safe shampoo and warm water to wash the affected areas and dry your pet’s fur completely with a warm towel after washing.
Any animal suspected of ingestion of rock salt must be assessed by a vet immediately. This is important as signs can be non-specific, and a blood test will be required to check the blood sodium concentration. Immediate veterinary treatment will be needed to rehydrate the animal and stabilise their sodium levels. The exact treatment will depend on the blood sodium concentration and the animal’s clinical condition. You should never try to induce vomiting. Only a vet should do this.
We have been asked whether antifreeze is added to rock salt. We are not aware of this practice and do not think it is likely, as adding salt to water lowers the freezing temperature and so has an ‘antifreeze’ effect in itself.
Never ‘watch and wait’ in any case of suspected poisoning. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned, act fast and contact a vet for advice immediately.
Keeping your cat safe from poison
Follow our tips to keep your cat safe from poisons.
In the home:
- Keep an eye on your cat.
- Keep houseplants out of reach of your cat, and collect dropped leaves/petals.
- Keep pesticides away from areas your cat has access to.
If treating pets with insecticides, separate them from other pets.
Outside:
- Ensure areas your cat has access to areas free from (and not overhung by), poisonous plants.
- Ensure your cat's water supplies can't become contaminated and change the water regularly.
Finally, for peace of mind, make sure your vets' bills are covered should the worst happen by insuring your cat.
Find out more about cat poisons on the International Cat Care website, and read our guide on antifreeze poisoning.
