It's pretty much every cat owner's worst nightmare: your pet has eaten something poisonous! Now you need to act fast – get your cat to the vet immediately.
The symptoms of poisoning can vary greatly and, unfortunately, are not always immediately recognizable. The type of poisoning plays a role here. This refers not only to the substance that the cat has ingested, but also to how it came into contact with the poison. For example, did it lick the leaves of a poisonous plant or ingest some antifreeze? It is also possible that the cat ran through a freshly sprayed field and the toxic pesticides got onto its skin through its fur and are now affecting it.
As a cat owner, you need to interpret the signs correctly, because the sooner you recognize poisoning and act, the greater the chance that everything will turn out well. If your cat has eaten something highly toxic, the substance must be removed from its body as quickly as possible. Poisoning that occurs in small doses over a long period of time can cause permanent damage to the kidneys, which are already sensitive in cats.
Here is a list of symptoms that may be cause for alarm:
You know your furry friend best! If you feel that something is wrong because your cat is acting strangely, is lethargic, or is sleeping a lot, don't hesitate to ask a professional. It's better to raise a false alarm and have your vet find something harmless than to fail to act in time.
The cause of poisoning is that your cat has ingested substances that are toxic or even fatal to the body. The substances can be eaten by the cat, sniffed and inhaled, or absorbed through the cat's skin. Since cats are very curious and like to move around freely, the possibility of poisoning is relatively high.
What we owners often underestimate is that substances that are food for us can be completely incompatible with cats. These include garlic, onions, chocolate, caffeine, and even milk. Your cat may have ingested these substances without you realizing it. Various household remedies, such as tea tree oil, are also toxic to cats. So sometimes we poison our pets through ignorance. The same applies to flea treatments for dogs. And please never try to relieve your cat's pain with paracetamol or aspirin. This can be fatal for them. Prescribing medication is the responsibility of your vet.
Do you enjoy gardening and does your cat go outside? Then make sure you don't use lawn fertilizer. This can cause serious problems for cats. Slug pellets can also be fatal to cats very quickly.
Take a look around your cat's territory: where can you minimize dangers? How can you protect your cat?
In the event of poisoning, it is important to act quickly to prevent the poison from spreading throughout the body. Your veterinarian will decide on the best course of action depending on the type of poisoning. They may need to induce vomiting and administer appropriate medication. It may also be necessary to pump the animal's stomach. It all depends on the animal's condition. If you know what the animal has ingested, it is best to bring the substance with you to the vet. This will enable the vet to initiate the correct treatment more quickly.
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