Many human medications can cause serious poisoning in cats. Exposure does not always involve an owner intentionally giving a tablet: cats may swallow a pill dropped on the floor, chew a medication container, lick medicated skin or groom a topical drug transferred onto their coat. Acetaminophen/paracetamol is particularly dangerous because cats cannot metabolize it safely…
Household products toxic to cats include much more than cleaning spray. Antifreeze, rodenticides, dog-only flea treatments, essential oils, corrosive cleaners, concentrated disinfectants, nicotine products, batteries and some solvents can all create potentially serious exposures. The exact product matters. A small lick of diluted dish soap is not equivalent to drinking ethylene glycol antifreeze or being…
True lilies and daylilies can cause severe, potentially fatal kidney injury in cats. The risk is not limited to chewing an entire flower. Leaves, petals, stems, pollen and even water from a vase containing a toxic lily can create dangerous exposure. If your cat has chewed a true lily, licked pollen from their coat or…
Poisonous plants for cats range from plants that mainly irritate the mouth or stomach to species capable of causing kidney failure, liver injury, dangerous heart abnormalities or severe neurologic illness. The level of concern depends on the exact plant, the part eaten and the amount of exposure. True lilies and daylilies deserve particular attention because…
Xylitol is extremely dangerous to dogs, but current evidence does not show the same classic toxicity in cats. Merck Veterinary Manual states that cats are not considered at risk for the severe hypoglycemia or liver injury associated with xylitol poisoning in dogs. A small controlled study also found no toxic effects in six healthy cats…
A healthy cat stealing a few bites of ordinary dog food is usually not a poisoning emergency. The problem arises when food formulated for dogs becomes a substantial or long-term part of the cat’s diet. Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements. Cats need higher amounts or specific dietary sources of several nutrients, including taurine,…
Cats do not need raw eggs. Uncooked eggs can carry foodborne pathogens, and raw egg white contains avidin, a protein that binds biotin and can interfere with its absorption when raw whites are fed repeatedly. If you want to offer egg to a healthy cat that is allowed treats, plain fully cooked egg is the…
Cats are obligate carnivores, but that does not mean raw meat is the safest way to feed them. Raw meat and raw pet foods can contain infectious organisms that affect cats and people, while homemade meat-only diets may also be nutritionally incomplete. Current food-safety concerns include bacteria such as Salmonella and Listeria, parasites, antimicrobial-resistant organisms…
Some cats can drink a small amount of milk without obvious symptoms, but ordinary cow milk is not an ideal drink for most adult cats. Many cats have limited ability to digest lactose after kittenhood, which can result in diarrhea, bloating, gas or vomiting. Fresh water should remain the main drink for adult cats. Unweaned…
No. Cats should not eat onions, garlic or related Allium plants. These foods contain sulfur-containing compounds that can cause oxidative damage to feline red blood cells and may lead to hemolytic anemia. The danger is not limited to raw onion or fresh garlic. Cooked, dehydrated, granulated and powdered forms can also be harmful, which makes…
