Content
- Symptoms of poisoning in cats
- Poisoned cat - what to do?
- Toxic substances for cats
- Poisoned Cat - Home Remedy
- 1. Activated charcoal
- 2. Honey
- 3. Neutral soap
- 4. Go to the vet
We cat owners know very well how curious these animals are. With a very keen sense of smell, cats have a habit of going around, sniffing and playing with objects that, many times, can be dangerous to their health.
A simple houseplant or a small piece of food that we leave on the floor, such as chocolate, can intoxicate our pets and, therefore, we must always pay attention to everything that is within reach of the cat, ensuring its safety indoors .
If your pussy has a habit of going out for a walk alone and ended up ingesting some substance that made him sick, or ended up having contact with something he shouldn't have at home, take him quickly to the vet, because in these cases, every minute is crucial to save the animal. In this article by PeritoAnimal we indicate some home remedies for poisoned cats that can help until you can get in touch with a specialist doctor.
Symptoms of poisoning in cats
It is important to emphasize that not all toxic products are the sameThus, each one will reach your kitten's body through different ways and the symptoms, as well as the treatment, may vary. In some cases, the substance can be harmful to the pussy just by being in the air or by coming into contact with the skin, not always entering the body orally. The most common symptoms of poisoning in cats include:
- Behavioral changes, including apathy and isolation
- Urine with blood or darker color than normal
- Fever and chills
- Convulsions, spasms and muscle tremors
- Weakness and difficulty breathing
- Purple tongue and gums
- Excessive salivation and coughing or sneezing attacks
- vomiting and diarrhea
- lost gaze and dilated pupils
- Fainting and loss of consciousness
Poisoned cat - what to do?
If your pet has one or more of the symptoms described in the previous topic, contact a veterinarian immediately so that he can give you the first necessary care while you wait for him to attend to your kitten in person.
Even though it's not always possible, it's very important to try find out what substance poisoned the animal, because this way, the doctor will know more quickly what to do to save his partner's life.
If poisoning has occurred indoors, move your pet away from the area immediately, leaving it comfortable in another room. Don't leave your pet alone and pay attention to your breathing, keeping you awake. If the animal tends to faint or starts to convulse, wrap it in a blanket and take it to a veterinary hospital, because in these cases, every second is crucial to save your friend's life.
See also our article on cat poisoning - symptoms and first aid, if you want to know a little more about the first steps you should take in these cases.
Toxic substances for cats
Most of the substances that can harm your kitten seem harmless to our eyes, so before adopting an animal, do an extensive research on the internet, talk to experts and find out about the necessary care to ensure the health of the cat. pussy, avoiding toxic products or keeping them at a safe distance from your new friend.
Some of the toxic substances we keep at home that can harm cats include:
- Chocolate, coffee, raisins, cheese and many other human foods
- Plants such as calla lily, azalea and sword-of-Saint-Jorge, as they contain toxic substances in their foliage
- Medicines such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
- Cleaning products that contain alcohol or that are extremely aggressive, such as bleach
- Insecticides
Remember that cats like to jump into high places and poke around in absolutely everything, so keep these products in locked cabinets that they can't open. In the case of plants, make sure they are in a corner of the house that the pussy does not have access to.
Another important factor is not to let your friend walk around the neighborhood alone, as many people can offer them products containing poison, which can be fatal for the animal. Keep it under your care at all times!
Poisoned Cat - Home Remedy
There are some home remedies that can help. detox a poisoned catBut, it is important that you never try anything without consulting a veterinarian first. As stated before, each poison acts in a way in your feline's body and, if you apply the wrong treatment because you don't know how to diagnose the animal, it can further complicate his condition.
The first step should always be immediate contact with a doctor. Call him and explain your pet's picture, tell him the symptoms and everything you know so he can tell you if these tips are helpful or not.
However, we emphasize that a face-to-face consultation with a specialized physician will be necessary at some point. Only he will be able to take the exams and indicate an appropriate treatment for his little friend.
1. Activated charcoal
In most cases where the intoxication happens orally, your veterinarian may recommend vomiting, especially if it is plant related. Vomiting helps the poison to leave the animal's body without corrupting the digestive system or reaching the bloodstream.
If that's your pussy's situation, a veterinarian activated charcoal lozenge can help. The product is easily found in veterinary pharmacies, keep some at home, just for safety.
Coal acts like a kind of magnet, pulling the poison towards itself, which prevents toxic substances from being absorbed and reaching the blood of your feline. It is important to administer these tablets as soon as a case of poisoning occurs, because if the intoxication passes into the bloodstream, the case becomes more serious and activated charcoal will no longer have an effect.
In cases of poisoning by caustic substances, which directly affect the digestive system, creating internal burns, this type of treatment is not recommended, as vomiting can further irritate the animal's body.
2. Honey
A natural product that can help if your pet has ingested any toxic substance is honey. It also has active properties that can serve as a sort of gastric protector, protecting the animal's digestive system. Check with your veterinarian first to see if this treatment can help, and if he allows it, just a spoonful of honey is enough.
3. Neutral soap
If you feel a strong and characteristic smell on the animal's skin, it is likely that the intoxication has happened by external contact. Wash your cat with mild soap until the smell disappears and make sure he doesn't lick any part of his body, as the poison's contact with his tongue can make the condition worse. Then take him to the responsible physician for a proper diagnosis.
4. Go to the vet
Do not offer salt, oil or any fruit to the animal as a home remedy option. Even if you follow the tips mentioned above, don't forget to consult the veterinarian in advance and, as soon as possible, run your cat straight to a medical clinic so you will have a quick diagnosis and treatment, which is crucial in these situations.
Among the most common treatments are gastric lavage, hot baths with liquid soap to remove the poison from the skin and, in more severe cases, surgery and antibiotics can be administered.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.