If your cat ate something toxic, you should know about it.
Sometimes cats consume something toxic despite the best efforts of their owner.Poisoning from a toxic substance can cause a wide range of symptoms, including gastrointestinal distress, neurological troubles, respiratory problems, and other visible issues.If you think your cat has eaten something toxic, take note of any symptoms they are experiencing, identify the toxic substance if possible, and contact your vet immediately.
Step 1: There is a chance of gastrointestinal distress.
Symptoms of poisoning in cats include excessive vomiting, diarrhea, and frequent urination.Listen for sounds of heaving when your cat goes to the bathroom.Depending on what kind of toxic substance your cat ingests, a cat may not experience all of these symptoms.Don't wait for multiple symptoms to show up.If you have reason to believe your cat ate a toxic substance, call your vet immediately.
Step 2: Look around the mouth.
Your cat may have eaten a toxic substance.Lift up the cat's cheeks with your finger or thumb and look at the top of the teeth for any unusual color.Cats should have light pink gums.If the gums are pale, yellow, dark red, or a muddy brown or bluish hue, it means your cat has eaten something toxic.This may not be a symptom of your cat's frequent drooling.Look for excessive amounts of drooling.
Step 3: Neurological symptoms should be evaluated.
Toxic substances can affect the function of your cat's brain, and can cause seizures, incoordination, or a coma.It is important to get your cat to an animal hospital as soon as possible if you notice any neurological symptoms.Neurological symptoms can include personality changes such as sudden bursts of excitement or depression.
Step 4: The cat is breathing.
It's possible that your cat has eaten something bad for its health.Listen for coughing, hacking, wheezing, and sneezing and watch for the rise and fall of your cat's chest.Respiratory problems can be fatal.If your cat is having trouble breathing, get it to an animal hospital.
Step 5: Take a look at the pantry.
If possible, have another person check the area for potentially toxic substances when one person calls for help.Many human foods are harmful to cats.Check areas where you store food for signs that your cat may have eaten something they were not supposed to.
Step 6: Go through the garden.
Pest control chemicals can be toxic to cats.Check to make sure that no pest control poison has been disturbed, and check for bite or chew marks on plants.If you don't know if a plant is toxic, take a picture or grab a sample.
Step 7: There are medications and chemicals.
When it comes to accidental poisoning for household pets, medications and household chemicals are some of the most common offenders.Check the areas where you store medications, cleaning supplies, and other chemicals and check for chew marks on items like: Antifreeze and motor oil.
Step 8: Take a small sample.
Take a container or sample of the product to give to your vet if you know what your cat got into.Let the vet know what you think your cat ate if there is no container or sample left.Let your vet know if your cat ate a small aloe plant that had just been planted in a pot with potting soil.
Step 9: Call your vet.
Take your cat to an animal hospital if they are having life threatening symptoms, such as struggling to breathe or losing consciousness.If symptoms are not life-threatening, call your vet or animal hospital immediately.Let your vet know what you think your cat has eaten.Be specific in your descriptions.Follow your vet's advice with care.If you need to take your cat in for an emergency visit, they may recommend inducing vomiting.Only use your vet's permission to induce vomiting at home.
Step 10: There is an animal hospital.
If your cat has life threatening symptoms such as difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, tremors, and other critical problems, you should take them to a small pet hospital.You can find the nearest facility by calling your local Information Services.Neurological trauma can lead to hospitalization.If your cat is showing signs of neurological problems, go straight to the emergency and critical care hospital.
Step 11: Cat-proof your home.
If your cat gets into locked areas or closed-off spaces, you should move those things that you don't want him to get into.Child safety locks are placed on cabinets where you keep chemicals and food is moved behind a closed door.If your cat got into a plant that made it sick, it's a good idea to move your plants outside.If your cat is allowed outside, you may want to put fencing around the area.