If you’ve recently brought a cat home to join your family, you may be wondering what is toxic to cats? After all, keeping your cat healthy and happy means making sure they only eat cat food or treats that are designed for cats. Eating other items, like chemicals and people food can be toxic. Let’s take a look at the most common household items that are toxic to cats.
1. People Food
Your cat should only eat cat food and treats that are specially designed for cats. Foods that cats should never eat include chocolate, raisins, grapes, bread dough, salty snacks, mushrooms, alcohol and anything with caffeine. Additionally, you should not give your cat anything containing artificial sugar, especially food and drinks containing Xylitol, which is a sugar alcohol found in sugar-free gums and some low-calorie drinks and desserts.
2. Certain Types of Houseplants
Cats love to eat plants, so there’s a good chance if you have a houseplant, your cat is going to take a bite out of it. In order to ensure your cat doesn’t accidentally poison himself or herself, don’t place tulips, daffodils, foxglove or lilies inside your home. Even drinking the water out of the vases can be dangerous to your pet. The ASPCA provides a complete list of plants that are toxic to cats. Additionally, never put tinsel on a Christmas tree if you have a cat. While tinsel-butt may be amusing, the strings can get bunched and twisted inside your cat’s intestines, creating an emergency situation.
3. Cleaning Chemicals and Products
Never allow your cat to get anywhere near your household cleaning items. This includes bleach, all-purpose cleaners, laundry detergent and window cleaners. A good rule of thumb is that if it’s toxic to you, it’s toxic to your cat. We recommend keeping your cat out of any rooms you are cleaning and making sure all the chemical residue to removed from the surfaces before letting your cat back into the room that was just cleaned.
4. Insecticides and Pest Control Products (Including Dog Flea Medication)
While we all want a bug and pest-free house, it’s important to keep the insecticides and pest control products away from your cat, and this includes mouse, ant and roach traps. If you must place these items in your home, make sure your cat cannot reach them. Additionally, you should never use flea medications on your cat that are designed for dogs. It can be toxic.
5. Cannabis (CBD Oil) and Nicotine
If you use cannabis or CBD oil, keep the medication and anything you use to help you ingest the medication away from your cat. This includes any pipes and foods that you may have prepared using Cannabis or CBD oil. Additionally, cats should not be exposed to nicotine products or the smoke from cannabis or nicotine cigarettes. Cats who are exposed to smoke have an increased risk of developing lymphoma.
Signs Your Pet May Have Ingested A Toxic Food or Chemical
If you suspect your cat has accidentally poisoned himself or herself, there are signs you can look for. Signs of pet poisoning include:
Collapsing or lethargy
Difficulty breathing
Excessive drooling
Sores in the mouth or on the paws
Sudden diarrhea
Vomiting (more than normal)
Getting Veterinary Care for Your Cat In Junction City
If you think your cat has accidentally ingested something that’s making him sick or you have questions about what is toxic to cats, our veterinarian in Junction City, KS can help. We offer pet emergency and urgent care six days a week. For emergencies and urgent pet care, call us at 785-762-5631.
To request an appointment at our veterinary clinic for vaccinations, checkups or flea and tick solutions, contact us today.