Just as it happens with dogs, cats are unfortunately also susceptible to poisoning, whether intentional or not. What puts them most at risk is the fact that cat poisoning does not only occur through the ingestion of toxic food or poisons, but also through their coat. In fact, certain substances can settle on a cat's fur and then, as we all know, cats spend a great deal of time licking and grooming themselves, thereby ingesting the poison. Let's explore the symptoms of a poisoned cat and what to do if a cat ingests poison..
Poisoned cats: the risks at home
Even in a safe environment like our home, there are many substances that can prove toxic — and in some cases even fatal — to our feline friend. For example, every home contains chemical products for cleaning the toilet and the house in general, which are highly toxic to cats. Then there are medicines such as paracetamol or aspirin, which are also very dangerous for cats. Even flea products designed for dogs can act as a poison for cats, as can chocolate — especially dark chocolate — essential oils, and certain types of houseplants that are commonly kept indoors and are poisonous to cats.
If our cat also has access to the outdoors, the risks increase further. Mouse traps, slug bait, the antifreeze we use in winter for our car, certain fruit trees, and much more. Not to mention poisoned bait that someone with ill intent might throw their way. It becomes clear, therefore, that danger lurks everywhere. For this reason, it is important to always be ready to react immediately in the event of poisoning — but first we need to know how to recognise the symptoms of poisoning in cats.
Symptoms of a poisoned cat
What are the symptoms of a poisoned cat? Speaking in general terms, a cat that has been poisoned will show symptoms very shortly after ingesting the toxic substance. One of the first signs is vomiting, sometimes the cat vomits white foam, along with diarrhoea, loss of urine, and in more severe cases, collapse. The cat's body temperature drops dangerously low and salivation is excessive. The pupils are usually dilated, breathing becomes laboured, and convulsions may follow. It should be noted that it is not always easy to understand what has happened — some types of cat poisoning present different symptoms from others, and for those of us who are not vets, knowing promptly what to do may not be straightforward.
Obviously, a veterinarian is needed immediately. Ideally, you should be able to show the vet what the cat was poisoned with — any medicine containers or plants, for example — since each toxic substance requires a different and specific treatment. It should also be added that some types of cat poisoning leave no room for any intervention; the poisoning leads to shock and then to the death of the cat in a time too short to do anything.
What to do if your cat has been poisoned
What can we do if a cat is poisoned? We can immediately call the vet and try to explain which substance the cat has ingested, if we are able to determine this. We will decide together with the vet whether to bring the cat to the clinic or wait for the doctor to come to us. In the meantime, very often the best course of action is to induce vomiting in the cat. A good method to make a cat vomit is to place a pinch of salt on the cat's tongue, or to try to get them to take — perhaps with the help of a syringe — a saline solution. This may not be easy, as cats are by nature not inclined to accept being handled forcibly — that much we know.
While waiting for the vet, we can also wrap the cat in a warm blanket and hold them, trying to keep them warm and calm. If the poisonous substance is on the cat's coat, we can try to clip the fur — it will grow back — or wash it with warm water and soap. These are not easy procedures either, especially since the cat is unwell and not in a cooperative mood. In reality, the most genuinely useful thing is to give the vet as much information as possible about the toxic substance, even over the phone, so that they can advise us on the most appropriate first-aid treatment while we wait for them to arrive.
How to prevent cat poisoning
It goes without saying — especially since cat poisonings not infrequently prove fatal — that the only way to keep our friend safe is through prevention. We should take care when managing hazardous substances in the home, much as we would if a young child were present: keep the medicine cabinet secure and store household cleaning products safely. With guidance from our vet, we should avoid keeping certain types of houseplants that can be toxic to cats, such as tulips, ivy, azalea, and others.
If we use insecticides or rodenticides, we must ensure that our cat cannot come into contact with them. Rat poison can be ingested by a cat not only as a direct poisoned bait, but also by eating a mouse that has previously swallowed the bait. As you can see, there are truly many precautions to take. Let's always keep our trusted vet's phone number close at hand and trust our instincts a little too. Cats are domestic animals that are very good at making themselves understood when they want to — let's listen to what they are trying to tell us!
