Poisons

Household Poisons to your Cat



If you seek to provide the best living environment possible for your furry feline friend, it

is important to know about the different household items that could poison your cat.

Remember, your cat cannot resist tasty-smelling or unusual substances, nor can he or she

tell you what was ingested to make him or her feel badly. Therefore, know which items

you own could hurt your pet and keep these items securely in cabinets and other places

your cat cannot access. If possible, keep these items out of your home altogether.



First, many homes have bleach products. You'll find bleach and Clorox mainly in the

laundry room or in other cleaning supplies; however, you can also find bleach products in

swimming pool supplies. In generally, household bleaches are fairly mild. Although they

will make your cat feel ill, most animals are smart enough to not drink enough to kill.

Signs that your cat may have drunk a bleach product include excess drooling, vomiting,

and abdominal pain. If your cat seems to be in pain, smell his or her fur if possible to

detect the scent of the bleach. In general, call you vet and have your cat drink large

quantities of milk or water if you possibly can. Monitor your cat for bloody vomit and

difficulty breathing, and wash the paws and mouth area thoroughly.



Mothballs and other products containing naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene can also

make your cat sick. Ingesting this substance can cause live damage and seizures.

Symptoms include vomiting, seizures, blue or brown colored gums, increased heart rate,

loss of appetite, and diarrhea. If you cat has eaten mothballs or items like toilet bowl

cleaner or bathroom deodorizer, call your vet immediately.



Citrus oils, which are found in shampoo, insect repellent, fragrances, and insecticide are

very harmful to cats as well. Although these items can harm all pets, cats are more

sensitive than dogs and if you treat a cat with dog products, the result could kill your pet.

Signs that your cat has ingested citrus oils include that common citrus smell, drolling,

falling, trembling, and weakness. Eventually, liver damage occurs, and many cats

experience liver failure, resulting in death. If your cat is treated, the prognosis is good,

but left untreated, this poison could be deadly.



Therefore, it is simply important to call your vet if you see anything wrong with your cat

at all. Cats are creatures of habit, so if your feline seems to be acting strangely, it is best

to schedule an appointment. Do what's best for your pet and try to keep harmful products

in places where they can't be reached.