1. Medications –
Never give your pet a medication or dosage that has not been prescribed by your veterinarian.
Acetaminophen, found in Tylenol and other medications, can
cause liver damage. Ingestion of a
single 325 mg tablet by a 10-pound cat can cause anemia and even be fatal.
Nonprescription medication, such as ibuprofen, can
lead to severe ulcers and anemia, as well as liver and kidney failure.
Prescription medications, such as antidepressants,
attention deficit and cardiac drugs, even in a small dose can cause problems.
2. Foods –
Chocolate can cause seizures and death in dogs and
cats. Darker chocolate, such as
unsweetened baker’s chocolate, is more toxic than milk or white
chocolates.
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives can be toxic in dogs
and cats. When chewed or swallowed,
these ingredients can cause anemia and gastrointestinal upset.
Unbaked bread dough can expand in the stomach with
the potential of cutting off the blood supply.
The yeast in the dough can also produce alcohol, leading to seizures and
respiratory failure.
Drinks like alcohol, coffee, and tea are dangerous
for your cat.
3. Chemicals –
Ethylene glycol found in antifreeze, windshield
de-icing agents and motor oils. As
little as a teaspoon in cats can cause kidney failure.
Fertilizers contain poisonous amounts of nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, herbicides and pesticides.
Kerosene, gasoline and tiki torch fluids can cause
drooling, drunken walking and difficulty breathing.
Insecticides found in flea and tick products can
cause problems when not used according to labels.
Insecticides that are meant for dogs can cause severe toxicity in cats,
leading to signs such as vomiting, seizures and difficulty breathing. Products intended for treating the yard or
house should not be used on pets.
Rodenticides, such as mouse and rat poisons, can
contain a number of different toxins.
Several common ingredients, like warfarin and coumarin, can cause blood
clotting problems and hemorrhaging.
Windshield wiper fluid can contain methanol which can
cause low blood sugar and drunken walking in dogs and cats.
4. Household items –
Cleaners such as bleach, drain cleaners, ammonia and
toilet bowl cleaners can cause gastrointestinal ulcers and other problems.
Mothballs, especially if they contain naphthalene,
can be toxic resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, increased drinking and urination,
and seizures.
Detergents & fabric softener sheets can be toxic, leading to ulcers in the mouth, esophagus or stomach.
Batteries can be toxic, leading to ulcers in the
mouth, esophagus or stomach.
5. Plants –
Depending on the type of plant, symptoms can include:
restlessness, drunken walking, vomiting, diarrhea and seizures. Different plants can cause respiratory
failure, heart rhythm problems and kidney failure.
Here are a few plants that can be harmful to your cat or kitten:
Aloe vera, amaryllis, lilies (all varieties), asparagus
fern, azalea, baby’s breath, begonia, bird of paradise flower, ivy (all
varieties), caladium, cardboard palm, carnations, charming dieffenbachia,
Chinese jade, chrysanthemum, coleus, corn plant, cyclamen, daffodil, dahlia,
desert azalea, dieffenbachia, everlasting pea, fig, flamingo flower, Florida
beauty, garden hyacinth, giant dracaena, gladiola, hellebore, hosta, Indian
hemp, jade plant, kiss-me-quick, lacy tree philodendron, mistletoe, nephthytis,
orange, pencil cactus, pointsettia, primrose, spring parsley, taro, tomato
plant, tulip, water hyacinth, yucca, jimson weed, tulip bulbs.
