A Division of

Substances that Are Poisonous to Cats

 

Your kitties can sure get into a lot of trouble around the house!

Below is a list of poisonous substances to watch out for and take into consideration when kitty-proofing your home, as well as contact information and facts you will need in an emergency.

Household Chemicals, Cleaners & Detergents

HIGHLY DANGEROUS!!

The number one culprits for cat poisoning are household chemicals, cleaners, detergents, insecticides and rodenticides.

When using these cleaners, etc., always be aware of where your kitties are - you might even want to keep them out of the room, until you are through using the product, it is sealed and stored, and the area or object in question is dry.

These include, but are not limited to:

Product

Effects

Signs - vary

Recommended Remedy

Acids
Ajax
Alcoholic Beverages
Alkalis
Batteries
Bleach
Boric acid
Coffee grounds
Deodorant
Deodorizers
Dishwasher soap
Detergent
Disinfectants
Drano
Fabric softener Sheets
Fungicides
Homemade play- dough
Lysol
Moth balls
Nail polish & remover
*Pine oils - Pine Sol
Polish - metal, furniture
Potpourri oils
Rubbing alcohol
Shoe polish
Tobacco
Toilet bowl cleaners
Wood preservatives

Burns in mouth
Can destroy tissue
Can be absorbed into bloodstream

Mild to severe local irritation
Tissue damage
Severe systemic illness

Flush skin or mouth with water
Call Vet

Please also see: "Common Household and Holiday Hazards" at http://purebredcatbreedrescue.org/household_and_holiday_hazards.htm

Other Chemicals

Cleaning Fluid, Dye, Fresh Paint, Mineral Spirits, Paint Thinner/Remover, Stains, Tar, Varnish


Herbal Remedies

Please note: BECAUSE SOMETHING IS NATURAL, IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS SAFE!!  St. John's Wort is a popular "natural" antidepressant...it is hepatotoxic...causes liver damage.  Now Tea Tree Oil -commonly used in shampoos and for itching - has been found to be Toxic to kitties.

RESEARCH HERBAL PRODUCTS BEFORE YOU USE THEM!!

Flea Products

Hartz - some cats are very sensitive and highly allergic to this product.

Insecticides/Pesticides


Names

Use

Effect

Signs

OP - Organophosphates
Carbamates
Carbaryl
Carbofuran
Chlorinated Hydrocarbon
Arsenic
  Diazinon
  Fenthion
  Malathion
  Organochlorines

Ants
Wasps
Garden pests
Insects
Fleas
Termites

Disruption of nervous system.
Contamination by eating bait/poison, or absorption through skin

excessive salivation
tearing eyes
excessive urination
diarrhea
vomiting
muscle twitching
weakness
difficulty breathing
collapse
pin point pupils
sudden death

Pyrethrins/Pyrethroids
Allethrin
Resmethrin
Permethrin

Insect - aerosols
Dips
Shampoos
Other House/Garden products

Disruption of nervous system

excessive salivation
vomiting
diarrhea
tremors
hyperexcitability
depression

It is important to note that dog flea preparations are NOT SAFE to use on cats; they can be toxic.

Almost all flea products can be poisonous if label instructions are not carefully followed to the letter.

Sprays and products NOT SPECIFICALLY made for use directly on pets can be poisonous if sprayed directly on or near pets.

Make sure when using premises sprays that the treated area has dried completely before allowing kitty near it. (This includes lawns treated with insecticides or weed killer (herbicides).

Ant/Roach Baits should be inaccessible.

Extreme care should be taken to ensure that these products are contained and way out of reach of kitties:

  • Molluscicides (Snail/Slug Bait)
  • Methaldehyde
  • Herbicides
  • Garden/Lawn Care Products

HIGHLY DANGEROUS!!!

Rodenticides


Rodenticides

Use

Effect

Signs

Anti-Coagulant
Cholecalciferol
Strychnine
Zinc Phosphide
Bromethalin
  Ingredients
Warfarin
Fumarin
Diphacinone
Bromadiolone

Rats
Mice
Gophers
Moles
Mammal- Pests
This type of poison makes the victum "bleed to death"

Neurological
incoordination
seizures
cardiac failure

3-5 days after ingestion
weakness
difficulty breathing
pale mucous membranes
bleeding from nose
anorexia
bloody urine or feces


Drugs
Keep Out of Reach of Kitty

Most common type of small animal poisoning = Human/Vet Drugs related to accidental ingestion or OD.

Human drugs should never be given to animals.   Over-the-counter pain relievers should be given only per specific Vet orders.


Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Causes damage to Red Blood Cells and Tissue Cells

Highly Toxic - (even in very small doses)
Signs:
salivation
vomiting
weakness
abdominal pain
paw and facial swelling
depression
ash-gray gums

NSAIDs
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Phenylbutazone
Naproxen
Effects:
Decreases Stomach Mucous
Kidney and Organ Failure

Can be VERY CAREFULLY administered by Vet
These can increase risk for developing stomach/intestinal ulcers
Decreases blood flow to vital organs.

Over-the-Counter Drugs

  • Cough/Cold/Decongestants
  • Anti-Cancer Drugs
  • Anti-Depression Drugs
  • Vitamins
  • Diet Pills
to name a few, can be LETHAL, even in minimal doses.

Medication prescribed for dogs should NOT BE GIVEN TO CATS.

All medications should be safely stored "Out of Reach of Kitty", remember, their curiosity?  They can chew through tubes.

Automotive

Some car cleaning products are more lethal than those utilized indoors.


Anti-Freeze/Windshield Washer Fluid

Effects

Signs

Ethylene Glycol
Sweet tasting, but only one teaspoon can be lethal.

Neurological
Kidney

Depression
incoordination
vomiting
seizures

Garbage

More specifically, decaying, rotten carcasses or food, it is the bacteria that produces dangerous toxins.


Effect

Signs

Severe GI

Vomiting, diarrhea (may be bloody)
fever, abdominal pain and distention
weakness, shivering, collapse
Severe - Shock/Death

Chocolate


Contains Drugs

Signs

Methylxanthine
Theobromine Caffeine
Only a small amount can be toxic.

Vomiting, excessive urination, hyperactivity,
fast breathing, weakness
Seizures, Death

Metal & Lead


Found In

Signs

Toys
Drape or Fishing Weights
Batteries
Paint
Caulking
Motor Oil

Vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
abdominal pain, depression
blindness, circling
muscle tremors, lack of coordination

House/Garden Plants and Foods Poisonous to Cats

Actual reports of animals getting seriously ill from eating plants are relatively infrequent, compared to reports of poisonings from household products or drugs.

Although many people believe poinsettias, ivy and mistletoe are dangerous plants, and while these plants do have toxic potential, they seldom cause serious clinical signs if eaten.

Much of the motivation for chewing on plants involves boredom and other psychological factors, such as recent changes in household (moving, moving furniture, demise of a loved one, etc.), so it may be worth noting if your kitty begins suddenly eating houseplants he/she used to ignore, and discuss with your Vet.  You might want to consider planting lawn grass in a pot for them - it is not harmful.

Covering soil of houseplants with aluminum foil will discourage digging in dirt and decrease the likelihood of cats eating your plants.

Plants known to be toxic should be kept away from your kitty. Please refer to the links below to select safe houseplants.

Resources:

Poisonous Plants

Please Note: This list is by no means complete, and may not contain the latest information. Please refer to the sites listed above for more information.

* = Especially Dangerous and can be Fatal
C = Cardiovascular - Signs: Congestive heart failure
D = Dermatological - Signs: Inflammation, swelling
GI = Gastrointestinal - Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea
H = Hepatic - Signs: Liver failure
KO = Kidney/Organ Failure - Signs: Increased drinking, loss of appetite, weight loss
MS = Musculoskeletal
N = Neurological - Signs: Tremors, lack of coordination, seizures, excitability, depression, coma
O = Occular
R = Respiratory - Signs: Coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing

A

System Affected Plant Name

N

Alcohol (all beverages, ethanol, methanol, isoprophyl)

 

Alfalfa

*, R

Almonds (pits contain cyanide)

 

Aloe vera

 

Alocasia

*, GI, N

Amaryllis bulb

 

Andromeda

*, K/O

Anthurium

 

Apple seeds

 

Apple leaf croton

*, R

Apricot (pits contain cyanide)

*, K/O, GI, R,
severe mouth swelling
difficulty breathing
vomiting
diarrhea

ARACEAE FAMILY - House & Ornamental
  Begonia tuberhybrida
  Dieffenbachia maculata
  Dumb cane
  Philodendron - Cutleaf, Lacy tree, Saddle leaf tree
  Schefflera actinophylla
Common Names
  Peace lilly
  Starleaf
  Tuberous begonia
  Tuftroot
  Wax begonia
  Water plant
  Yellow calla

*, C, R, N

Arrowgrass - contains cyanide

 

Asparagus fern

*, Very Poisonous
C, GI

Autumn crocus (colchicum autumnale)

*, C, K/O

Avocado (leaves, seeds, stem, skin)

B

System Affected Plant Name

 

Baby's breath

GI

Baneberry

 

Bayonet

 

Beargrass

 

Beech

*, K/O

Begonia

 

Belladonna

GI

Bird of paradise

GI

Bittersweet

 

Black-eyed susan

GI, MS

Black locust

*, C

Bleeding heart

 

Bloodroot

 

Bluebonnet

 

Box

GI

Boxwood

C, G, N, O

Bracken fern

 

Branching ivy

GI, N

Buckeye

 

Buddhist pine

 

Burning bush

GI

Buttercup (Ranunculus)

C

System Affected Plant Name

 

Cactus, Candelabra

GI, N - hyperstimulation

Catnip - guard against giving too much
of fresh plant (dry OK)

*, K/O

Caladium

*, K/O

Calla lily

*, C, GI, N

Castor Bean (Can be Fatal)

 

Ceriman

 

Charming dieffenbachia

*, R

Cherry, choke, unripe berries (contains cyanide)

R

Cherry - (pits contain cyanide), seeds &wilting leaves)
Cherry, most wild varieties
Cherry, ground
Cherry, laurel

 

Chinaberry

*, R

Chinese sacred, or heavenly bamboo
(contains cyanide)

 

Chinese evergreen

*, GI, N

Chocolate, Cocoa

 

Christmas rose

GI, N

Chrysanthemum (natural source of
pyrethrins)

 

Cineria

GI

Clematis

 

Coffee

 

Cordatum

 

Coriaria

 

Cornflower

 

Corn plant

 

Cornstalk plant

GI

Croton (codiaeum)

 

Corydalis

GI, N

Crocus bulb

 

Crown of thorns

 

Cuban laurel

 

Cycads

GI

Cyclamen bulb

D

System Affected Plant Name

GI

Daffodil

 

Daphne

 

Datura

*, C, G, MS, N

Death camas

 

Devil's Ivy

*, N

Delphinium

 

Decentrea

 

Dracaena palm

 

Dragon tree

E

System Affected Plant Name

*, K/O

Easter lily

 

Eggplant

 

Elaine

*, R

Elderberry, unripe berries (contain cyanide)

 

Elephant ear

 

Emerald feather

GI, N, R

English ivy (All Hedera Species)

 

Eucalyptus

 

Euonymus

 

Evergreen

F

System Affected Plant Name

 

Ferns

O

Fig (Ficus) (general allergen, dermatitis)

 

Fiddle-leaf fig

 

Florida beauty

 

Flax

GI

Four o'clock (Mirabilis)

 

Fruit salad plant

G

System Affected Plant Name

*, GI

Garlic (raw or spoiled)

 

Geranium

 

German ivy

 

Giant dumb cane

 

Glacier ivy golden chain

 

Gold dieffenbachia

 

Gold dust dracaena

 

Golden glow

 

Golden pothos

 

Gopher purge

H

System Affected Plant Name

 

Han's self-branching ivy

 

Heartland philodendron

C, GI, MS

Hellebore (lily family)

*, C, GI, MS, N, R

Hemlock, poison & water

 

Henbane

*, K/O

Hibiscus

GI

Holly berries

 

Honeysuckle

 

Hops (beer)

 

Horsebeans

H

Horsebrush

GI, MS

Horse chestnuts

 

Hurricane plant

GI

Hyacinth bulbs

*, R

Hydrangea (contains cyanide)

I

System Affected Plant Name

 

Indian rubber plant

 

Indian tobacco

GI

Iris corms

 

Iris ivy

J

System Affected Plant Name

*, K/O

Jack in the pulpit

 

Janet Craig dracaena

*

Japanese show lily

 

Java beans

 

Jessamine

 

Jerusalem cherry

*, R

Jimson weed

 

Jonquil

 

Jungle trumpets

K

System Affected Plant Name

*, C

Kalanchoe (can be fatal)

L

System Affected Plant Name

*, K/O

Lantana (liver failure)

*, N

Larkspur

GI

Lily (bulbs of most species)
Lily spider
Climbing lily

C, GI, H, N

Locoweed

N

Lupine species

M

System Affected Plant Name

 

Macadamias

 

Madagascar dragon tree

 

Marble queen

 

Marigold

*, GI, N

Marijuana or Hemp (cannabis) (can be fatal)

 

Mescal bean

 

Mexican breadfruit

*, C

Milkweed

 

Miniature croton

*, C, GI, N, shock

Mistletoe

 

Mock orange

*, N

Monkshood

 

Moonseed

*, N

Morning glory

 

Mother-in-law's tongue

C

Mountain laurel

 

Mushrooms

N

System Affected Plant Name

GI

Narcissus

 

Needlepoint ivy

 

Nephytis

*, C, GI, N, R
Vomiting, diarrhea (possibly bloody)
adbominal pain, depression, drowsiness,
salivation, difficulty breathing,
trembling, weakness, collapse,
decreased heart rate

NIGHTSHADE
Black nightshade
Deadly nightshade
European nightshade

Solanum dulcamara
Solanum nigrum
Physalis
Common Names
Nightshades
Chinese lantern
Christmas cherry
Ornamental pepper

O

System Affected Plant Name

*, K/O

Oak

*, C

Oleander - very poisonous can be fatal

*, GI

Onion, onion powder (raw or spoiled)

*

Oriental lily

P

System Affected Plant Name

 

Peace lily

*, R

Peach -pits (contain cyanide), wilting leaves

*, GI, dermatitis

Pencil cactus/plant (Euphorbia)

 

Peony

Periwinkle

 

Pimpernel

 

Plumosa fern

 

Poinciana

GI, dermatitis

Poinsettia

 

Poison ivy

 

Poison oak

 

Pokeweed

 

Poppy

GI, N

Potato leaves & stem

 

Pothos

GI, Liver, can be severe pain in eye,
skin, mouth, tongue(ulceration),
Depression, drooling, food refusal

Potpourri - natural or essential oils

 

Precatory bean

 

Primrose

 

Privet, common

 

Propylin glycol - food additive

R

System Affected Plant Name

 

Red emerald

 

Red princess

 

Red-margined dracaena

*, C, Can be Fatal - Signs:
Vomiting, diarrhea, collapse, death

RHODODENDRON
Azalea
Foxglove (digitalis) can be fatal
Laurel
Lily of the valley can be fatal
Milkweed
Oleander (very poisonous can be fatal)

*, K/O

Rhubarb

 

Ribbon plant

*, C, GI, N

Rosary pea (arbus) can be fatal

 

Rubber plant

S

System Affected Plant Name

 

Sago palm

 

Salt

 

Satin pothos

 

Scotch broom

*, K/O

Shamrock(oxalis)

 

Silver pothos

 

Skunk cabbage

 

Snowdrops

GI

Snow on the mountain

 

Spotted dumb cane

GI

Spurge (euphorbia)

 

Staggerweed

C, GI

Star of Bethlehem - lily family

D, O

Stinging nettle

 

String of pearls

 

Striped dracaena

 

Sweetheart ivy

 

Sweetpea

 

Swiss cheese plant

T

System Affected Plant Name

G, H, MS, N, O

Tansy mustard

 

Taro vine

 

Tea

*

Tiger lily

 

Toad stool

*, GI, N

Tobacco

GI, N

Tomato plant (green fruit, stem and leaves)

 

Tropic snow

 

Tulip

 

Tung tree

V

System Affected Plant Name

 

Virginia Creeper

W

System Affected Plant Name

GI, R

Walnuts

*, C, GI, MS, N, O, R

Water hemlock

 

Weeping fig

 

Wild call

 

Wisteria

Y

System Affected Plant Name

 

Yeast dough

*, C, FATAL -
extremely poisonous ornamental plant most often used in landscaping
Sudden Death, trembling, incoordination,
diarrhea, collapse

YEWS fatal to most animals
American yew
Canada yew
English yew, Spreading - any yew
Japanese yew
Western yew

In short:

  • Keep all harmful substances mindfully and safely stored far away from Kitty's reach.
  • Keep track of baits and properly dispose of them when they have expired
    or are not needed any longer.  Record the date baits were put out and name of bait.
  • Maintain all information possible on harmful substances - in case of emergency this information will be CRITICAL for diagnosing possible poisonings, as well as treatment.  If Possible, bring container.  It is the actual active toxic ingredient contained in the substance that will determine the level of danger present.  Different ingredients require different treatments, so this information is VITAL.

In Case of Emergency

If poisoning is suspected - call your Vet and advise them that you will be coming in ASAP.  Bring containers of substance to your Vet.
Helpful Suggestions
Wrap kitty in towel to avoid hurting you or itself, and to prevent further ingestion if source of poison is on the coat itself.
Do not administer home remedies to induce vomiting.
Know your Vet's emergency situation procedures, (especially after hours).

Keep telephone numbers handy for:

  • Your Vet
  • ASPCA/NAPCC - 1-888-4ANI-HELP - Have ready: Information regarding exposure/amount, time since exposure, species, age, sex, weight, product exposed to, problem.
  • Local Emergency Vet Service

Pet Safety Kit

  • Hydrogen Peroxide 3% (USP)
  • Can of soft food
  • Turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe
  • Saline - flush out eye contaminants
  • Artificial Tears - Lubricate eyes after flushing
  • Mild grease cutting solution - bathe after skin contamination
  • Forceps to remove stingers
  • Pet carrier

Resources

NAPCC - University of Illinois College of Vet Med - 24-hour Animal Poison Service:
1-800-548-2423 - fee charged to credit card
1-900-680-0000 – fee charged.

 

 

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