SAVANNAHGANS® Magazine Safety Brief: Common Household Items Toxic to Cats
Cats have a reputation as finicky eaters; however, those of us who live with feline friends know these creatures can be curious about their environment as well as being persistent explorers. This, in addition to their predisposition toward fastidious grooming, can result in contact with common household items that are toxic to their kind. Cats are very small in size and compared to humans and most dogs. They also lack certain liver enzymes, and both of these factors make them much more sensitive to certain drugs and chemicals that don't pose an issue for other species. Cats can be exposed by ingesting these items, as well as by grooming chemicals from their coats. Some toxins can cause damage by inhalation, while others are absorbed directly through the skin.
A 2020 report by the Pet Poison Hotline indicated the most common toxin exposures in cats include: topical spot-on insecticides, household cleaners, human drugs such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and prescription medications, poisonous plants, human food items, and essential oils/potpourri. This list also reflects the most common toxin exposures I see in cats in my practice.
Topical, prescription flea preventions labeled for use in cats (at the correct dosage for the individual cat’s weight) pose minimal risk for most cats. The most common side effect seen with these medications is excessive drooling if the cat licks the product off of the skin; this is due to the bitter taste. By far, the most common causes of toxicity reported with topical insecticides are due to either over-the-counter permethrin-containing products or to the accidental application of a product labeled for dogs to the cat. Clinical signs of toxicity include muscle twitching, drooling, vomiting, excitability, ataxia, and difficulty breathing. If this occurs, immediately bathe the product off of your cat. If possible, get your kitty to the vet ASAP. Using only flea products specifically prescribed by your veterinarian for your cat is the safest way to avoid issues.
Household cleaners must be stored out of reach as they present some toxicity level should your kitty come in direct contact with them. Keep cats away from any freshly cleaned area until that area has thoroughly dried. Many household products, such as laundry and dish cleaners, contain cationic detergents and can cause mouth and gastrointestinal ulceration and irritation and trouble breathing that can be life-threatening. These toxic chemicals can also be found in scented candles and liquid potpourri, often implicated in cats’ toxin exposure. Sodium lauryl sulfate, a product found in many shampoos, toothpaste, and other “foamy.” toiletry products that can cause acute respiratory issues and death if they get onto a cat’s coat and are then groomed off and ingested in high concentrations.
Many drugs that are safe for humans can be toxic to our kitty friends. For instance, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen (Tylenol) cannot be processed by cats due to their specialized liver metabolism, and these medications can cause death in our kitties at very low doses. Medications prescribed for humans often have coatings that may attract pets to eat them, resulting in toxicity issues. All medicines must be kept safe from cats.
One other human medication class that we see more frequent toxicity cases is hormone replacement creams and gels (estrogen and testosterone). These topical medications can cause bone marrow suppression, anemia, cancer, and behavioral issues in pets who lick the owner’s skin after application or in pets that groom themselves after being petted by their owners after application.
Houseplants are another common toxin issue for cats. One of the most common and dangerous problems we see in veterinary medicine is lily ingestion. Toxicosis can result from ingestion of any part of the plan, even the pollen, when groomed from the coat. Besides being a common class of houseplants, lilies are also often found in decorative flower arrangements. Cats can exhibit initial lethargy and gastrointestinal signs after ingesting these plants, followed by acute kidney failure.
Cats can also get into trouble after ingesting many common human foods. Onions and garlic are processed differently by kitty livers, and the resulting metabolic by-product can “attack” cat blood cells, causing life-threatening anemia. Like dogs, chocolate is toxic if ingested by cats, causing gastrointestinal issues at lower doses and neurological issues at higher doses. Dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate are typically more potent toxins than milk chocolate.
Lastly, toxic exposure to essential oils is becoming more frequent in cats, as these oils are becoming more popular with people and tout as safe and useful. Again, cats do not process chemicals in the same way as other species, and they are susceptible to the chemicals found in many of these oils. Essential oil diffusers can be particularly troublesome, as aerosolized particles can be inhaled or deposited on the kitty’s coat. Although not many studies on essential oil toxicity exist currently, a recent ten-year retrospective study shows 110 toxicity reports in cats exposed to various essential oils, usually in concentrated form. Concentrated tea tree oil, in particular, has been implicated in many cases.
If you suspect your cat experienced exposure to a toxin, call a poison control hotline and immediately get her to a veterinarian. It is crucial not to try to induce vomiting. Many toxins are caustic and will cause increased issues if vomited. Hydrogen peroxide, which can safely induce vomiting in some cases of toxicosis in dogs, causes severe esophageal damage in cats and should NEVER be administered.
Resources:
ASPCA Poison Control
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
1-888-426-4435
(Fees apply)
Pet Poison Helpline
1-855-764-7661
(Fees apply)
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