It may come as a surprise that there are likely a myriad of common products in your household that are toxic to your cat, but the truth is that these items are everywhere. It is essential to know what these potential hazards are so that you can make sure your cat does not suffer any accidental contact with, or ingestion of, these substances.
Some toxic household items are intuitive; anything that possesses a warning label that denotes toxicity for humans should be assumed to be toxic for pets as well. Just because a product does not warn specifically that it is toxic to cats does not mean it isn't harmful to felines! In fact, it is typically a safe assumption that anything toxic to humans is even more dangerous to cats because of their smaller body size and different metabolic capabilities.
So, while some health hazards to your cat (like those described above) simply require common sense, other household hazards are not always so intuitively identified as toxic items: liquid potpourri may sound (and smell!) like a lovely addition to any home, but is actually highly toxic to your cat! There are many items that owners are surprised to learn are toxic to their cats.
Additionally, it is imperative to remember that cats are NOT small humans, nor are they even small dogs! Many toxicity events occur when well-meaning owners try to alleviate their cat's symptoms of illness by treating their cats with their own medications (aspirin, Tylenol, and so on), or with medications prescribed to their dogs... these medications, and many other human and canine medications are deadly to cats, so NEVER try to treat your cat at home. Always seek the guidance and care of your veterinarian! And never assume that because a medication is safe for your dog that it is also safe for your cat.
Every species has different metabolic capabilities, but in general, the two main routes of clearing substances from the body include liver (hepatic) and kidney (renal) pathways. Cats, in particular, have very different hepatic excretion abilities from humans and dogs, and are, in fact, considered to be deficient in one of the most important enzymatic pathways that exists; therefore, there are many substances that we humans can metabolise and safely clear from our bodies that cats cannot, and so are highly toxic to cats. The bottom line is: cat livers are not the same as human livers!
Note: This article is simply providing a sampling of the most common toxic substances that result in visits to the emergency clinic -- you may very well have other toxic substances within your home that are not on this list! It is always important that you be cautious about anything you're unsure of. If you have any suspicion that your cat may have ingested a dangerous substance, you should call your veterinarian immediately. If it is after hours and your veterinarian's office is closed, call the emergency clinic closest to your home, and have your cat seen by a veterinarian. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Hotline 24/7 at 1-888-426-4435.
Common Household Items That Are Toxic To Cats:
Acetaminophen - Acetaminophen is extremely toxic to cats! Even one tablet can be lethal if ingested by a kitty, because cats are deficient in the enzyme needed to safely metabolise and excrete (rid the body of) acetaminophen.
Acetaminophen causes liver failure in cats and destruction of their red blood cells, a condition called methemoglobinemia which results in impaired oxyenation of organs and body tissues. Methemoglobinemia from acetaminophen ingestion is fatal if not immediately treated because red blood cells are like small lifeline taxis that travel all over the body delivering oxygen molecules to cells and then carrying away the waste product, carbon dioxide.
Symptoms of acetaminophen toxicity include vomiting, lethargy, weakness, depression, difficulty breathing, muddy (brown) colored gums, blue colored gums, face and paw swelling, and death.
Never administer acetaminophen to your cat, and always keep it safely locked away in a medical cabinet, even though it may be in a childproof container (childproof bottles can easily break open if your cat knocks the bottle down from a shelf or counter).
Aspirin - Cats are very sensitive to aspirin, as they are to all NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), because they are deficient in the type of enzyme necessary to safely excrete NSAIDs from their bodies.
Aspirin toxicity in cats often occurs in several common scenarios: when owners administer aspirin to their cats with the intent of treating their cats' illness, when cats find open or spilled bottles of aspirin in the home, and when cats come across a flavored, tasty, chewable supply of NSAIDs that belong to the pet dog. If you own a dog, always be sure to keep your dog's medications, as well as your own, far out of the reach of your curious kitty!
Aspirin toxicity causes gastrointestinal (GI) ulceration and bleeding,and acute kidney failure. The process of GI ulceration can progress to intestinal perforation when ulcers develop across the full thickness of intestinal walls; leakage of intestinal contents into the abdomen causes systemic infection and quickly results in death if left untreated.
Symptoms of aspirin toxicity that result from the associated GI and kidney damage can include: rapid breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, digested blood in the feces (melena - feces appears black and extremely odiferous), increased thirst and urine output, lethargy, seizures, coma, and death.
Ibuprofen - The mechanism and symptoms of ibuprofen toxicity is similar to that of aspirin and the other NSAIDs (please see above).
Never administer ibuprofen to your cat, and always keep it safely locked away in a medical cabinet, even though it may be in a childproof container (they can still break open if your cat knocks the bottle down from a shelf or countertop).
Prescription Drugs (Antidepressants) - It is very important to keep all of your prescription drugs locked away. Prescription drug toxicities are quite commonly, and antidepressants in particular are an increasingly frequent source of toxicity seen in cats.
Symptoms of antidepressant ingestion include dilated pupils, vomiting, increased respiratory rate and heart rate, increased body temperature and blood pressure, agitation, hyperreactivity, disorientation, wobbliness, tremors, and seizures.
Other prescription drugs that are toxic to cats include anti-cancer medications, pain medications, oral hypoglycemic drugs (used to treat diabetes), decongestants, muscle relaxants, birth control pills, and vitamin D analogues.
No matter what types of medications you use at home, whether they are over-the-counter or prescription drugs, make sure that they are all safely kept in a medicine cabinet that cannot be opened by your cat. Never leave a pill out on a countertop, dresser, table, or nightstand while you run to get a glass of water with which to swallow your medication. Never leave a medicine bottle out in the open after taking your dose; even though the medication may be in a childproof container it can still break open if your cat knocks the bottle off of the counter!
Liquid Potpourri - Liquid potpourri and simmer-pot scented oils are common household adornments, but they are also common sources of serious cat toxicities.
Cats may lick scented oils from heating pots, they may end up with liquid potpourri in their fur from small spills, and they may accidentally drag the tip of their tail through the pot while brushing past. The potpourri on their fur is then ingested while grooming themselves later.
Liquid potpourri contains essential oils and detergents that cause ulceration, swelling, and pain when it comes in contact with mucous membranes: this means that cats' mouths, tongues, throats, stomachs, and intestines become ulcerated and painful after ingestion of potpourri. Ulcerations can become full thickness in the throat, causing esophageal perforations (a tear, or hole, in the throat), which can result in chest complications that can cause death due to respiratory and cardiac arrest.
Symptoms of potpourri toxicity include depression, drooling, difficulty eating, oral ulcers, anorexia, vomiting, bloody vomiting, digested blood in feces (melena - feces are black in color and very odiferous), difficulty breathing, and intense abdominal pain.
It is best not to have potpourri items anywhere in your home since cats are agile, curious, and are more than capable of jumping up onto shelves where you might be trying to keep potpourri out of their reach. Cats are masterful at accessing the inaccessible, so avoid the risk altogether by keeping oils and potpourris out of your home!
Antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) - Antifreeze, or ethylene glycol poisoning is often fatal, and cats are even more sensitive to this type of toxicity than dogs.
Ethylene glycol is found not just in radiator antifreeze, but also in many paints, brake fluids, solar units, shoe polish, inks, dyes, screen cleaners, and toilet winterization products for campers and cottages. Antifreeze is, however, the most common cause of ethylene glycol poisoning in pets.
Ethylene glycol causes multiple phases of organ damage and related symptoms. First, cats may appear inebriated and act 'drunk.' However, even during this first stage of toxicity they may become comatosed and die. If the first phase is survived, symptoms of the second phase can include rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, and seizures. In the last phase of ethylene glycol poisoning, calcium oxalate crystals are formed. They destroy the kidneys and cause acute kidney failure and death. Symptoms of acute kidney failure include anorexia, vomiting, depression, increased urination and, later in the process, little or no urine production.
It is imperative to keep antifreeze and all other products containing ethylene glycol far away from your cat. If veterinary treatment is not initiated within the first several hours post-ingestion, then permanent kidney damage and/or death is inevitable.
There are several newer antifreeze products available now that are manufactured with a safer ingredient, propylene glycol: Sierra, Prestone Low Tox, and Texaco PG. These products are slightly more expensive than regular antifreeze, but are much safer for pets and children, and are also far more environmentally friendly!
Rodenticides - Rodenticides are used to eradicate mice and rats from residential and commercial buildings. The problem with rodenticides is that the same mechanism of toxicity that kills rodents, also kills cats and other animals that are unfortunate to come into contact with it. Cats are particularly susceptible to rodenticide poisoning because they may accidentally hunt and catch mice or rats that have already ingested the toxin.
There are three main categories of rodenticide so toxicity varies depending on the type of rodenticide ingested:
- Anticoagulant rodenticides are very common and cause death by bleeding. Cats that ingest anticoagulant rodenticides may appear normal for several days, but will then begin to display symptoms that correlate with internal and external hemorrhaging. Signs that owners may observe can include bruising, pale gums, weakness, external bleeding, difficulty breathing, lameness, neurological signs (incoordination, tremors, disorientation, seizures) from bleeds in the brain or spinal cord, and death.
- Bromethalin rodenticides cause weakness, tremors, seizures, limb rigidity, paralysis, and death.
- Cholecalciferol rodenticides cause acute kidney failure, and symptoms include weakness, depression, anorexia, vomiting, increased urination and thirst, and death.
If you have a cat, never use rodenticides, and if you think your neighbors are using rodenticides, either do not let your cat go outside (particularly if he or she likes to hunt!), leash walk your cat, create a safe outdoor enclosure for your cat, or talk to your neighbors about safer options such as humane mouse and rat traps.
Mothballs - Mothballs are used to keep moths from damaging clothing, linens, and other susceptible items in home that have moths in them. Unfortunately, mothballs are very toxic to cats, and should never be used, even if you have a moth problem in your household. There are other non-toxic solutions that you can implement instead.
Mothballs typically are composed of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, and while these two active ingredients have different mechanisms of toxicity, they do cause some similar symptoms when ingested by cats: vomiting, weakness, lethargy, seizures, difficulty breathing, and collapse.
If you have a cat AND you have moths, do not use mothballs. Consider non-toxic alternatives: cedar balls and cedar chips, airtight storage containers, lavender sachets, and make thyme, rosemary, and clove sachets.
Toilet Water, Tank Drop-Ins - Many cats like to drink out of the toilet, so using automatic toilet cleaners if you own a cat is a bad idea. Tank drop-ins are generally composed of corrosive detergents that cause mucosal irritation, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Insecticides - Insecticides (ant poisons) can be composed of many different active ingredients. Often insecticides are flavored with food ingredients to lure ants in, and they also end up luring curious cats in too.
Symptoms of insecticide toxicity are usually mild, but it is still best to avoid having insecticides in your home.
Glow-In-The-Dark Items - Glow in the dark bracelets, necklaces, toys, and other such items are very attractive to cats.
Cats can come in contact with the main ingredient, dibutyl phthalate, if there is a leak or if they bite into the object while playing with it.
Toxicity symptoms are relatively mild, but include vomiting, nausea, and behavioral changes such as aggression, agitation, depression, and hiding.
Silica Gel Packets - Silica gel packets that come with new clothing, shoes, foods, vitamins, medications, electronics and other such store-bought products are used as dessicants to prevent moisture damage to the purchased items. They also make very tempting little toys to cats because they are the same size and shape as many cat toys.
Symptoms of silica toxicity include diarrhea, vomiting, poor appetite, and abdominal discomfort.
Throw silica packets away as soon as you unwrap new products, and do not allow your playful kitty to play with them.
Toxic Substances for Humans (Disinfectants, Drain Openers, Bleach, Paint, Paint Remover, Varnish, Detergents, Fertilizer, Herbicides, Gasoline, Lighter Fluid) - Anything that possesses a warning label that denotes toxicity for humans should be assumed to be toxic for pets as well.
Just because a product does not warn specifically about toxicity to cats does not mean it isn't harmful to felines! In fact, it is typically a safe assumption that anything toxic to humans is even more dangerous to cats because of their smaller body size and different metabolic capabilities.
To read more of Dr. Ko's articles, please visit http://www.catdoctorko.com
The information provided in this article is for educational reference purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice and care of your veterinarian, nor medical diagnoses or treatments. All questions regarding your cat's health should be discussed with your veterinarian.