Kitty Care

Toxic Household Items

Below is a list of common household items toxic to cats.

acetaminophen

acetone

ant/bug traps and baits

anti-flea foggers

antifreeze

antihistamines

anti-rust agents

antiseptics

aspirin

automobile batteries

automotive coolant

bath oil

bleach

boric acid

brake fluid

carburetor cleaner

chocolate

cleaning products

cockroach poison or bait

dandruff shampoo

de-icers (to melt snow)

deodorants

deodorizers

detergents

diet pills

disinfectants

drain cleaners

dry-cleaning fluid

dyes

fertilizers

fire-extinguisher foam

fireworks

flea spray, powder or shampoo

fuels

fungicides

furniture polish

gasoline

hair coloring

heart pills

herbicides

ibuprofen

insecticides

insect repellents

kerosene

lamp oil

laxatives
lead
lead-based ceramics and paint
lighter fluid
liniments
lye
matches
medications
metal polish
mineral spirits
mothballs
moth repellents
motor oil
nail polish
nail polish remover
onions
pain relievers
paint
paint remover
pastels (art crayons)
perfume
permanent-wave lotion
photographic developers
pine-based cleaners
pine-oil products
plant food
rat/rodent poisons
road salt
rubbing alcohol
rust remover
shoe dye
shoe polish
sleeping pills
snail or slug bait
soaps
solder
solvents
stain removers
swimming-pool products
suntan lotion with cocoa butter
turpentine
weed killers
windshield-washer fluid
wood preservatives
zinc-based paint

Some signs of household poisoning are:

convulsions

diarrhea

abdominal pain

pale gums / tongue

swollen tongue

refusal of food

continual vomiting

What To Do:
If your cat is displaying any one or combination of these symptoms it is possible it has ingested a toxic household item. This is dangerous and medical attention should be sought immediately. Try to identify the item that has been ingested and have its scientific name available when you contact your veterinarian.

* ALWAYS CONTACT YOUR LOCAL VETERINARIAN