Hannah, Showing Off!
I think that most of us cat lovers don’t really realize how often cats are harmed (and often killed) by poisons they come in contact with in their home or yard. I know that when I read that, in 2011 alone, the ASPCA fielded 166,000 calls about cases of pet poisoning, I was alarmed. When you consider that at least that many probably went unreported, it’s staggering.
While we think we know what things are harmful to our precious cats and what things could even poison them, it’s always a great idea to refresh ourselves. It’s also a smart idea to let anyone and everyone who comes into contact with the feline members of the family know that some things are completely off limits.
WebMD recently ran a great article detailing the top cat poisons. A few are listed below – but I hope you’ll click through and read the entire list. Please pass the link around to everyone you know. By doing so, you could be saving a cat from a world of pain, sickness and suffering. What’s more, you could save her life.
The top five sources of cat poisoning in 2011 were:
1. Medications for people. Pets have a much greater sensitivity to many of the common over-the-counter and prescription medications that may be in your home.
Some of the medications that often poison cats include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. The most common cause of pet poisoning, these painkillers can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines, and kidney damage.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is particularly toxic to cats, resulting in red blood cell damage. Just two extra-strength tablets may prove fatal to felines.
- Antidepressants may cause vomiting and, in more serious instances, serotonin syndrome – a dangerous condition that raises temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, and may cause seizures.
- Methylphenidate, an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug, is a stimulant for pets, raising heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
2. House plants. Cats are notorious for noshing on houseplants, and the habit isn’t just bad for your potted treasures. Many common, beautiful houseplants contain cat poisons that can cause serious harm, and even death. Some of the plants toxic to cats include:
- Lilies. Ingesting even small amounts of Easter lilies and related plants can cause severe kidney failure in cats.
- Azaleas and rhododendrons. These pretty flowering plants contain toxins that may result in vomiting, diarrhea, coma, and sometimes even death.
- Tulips and daffodils. The bulbs of these plants, if ingested, may cause serious stomach problems, convulsions, and damage to the heart.
- Sago palms. Eating just a few seeds may be enough to cause vomiting, seizures, and liver failure.
Please read the other cat poisons and keep your precious cats safe. Some of the hidden dangers will surprise you. We all have to keep in mind that leaving residual household cleaner on the floor (or anywhere our cats sit or lie) could pose a real problem. They may not lick it off of the floor or table (though I wouldn’t put it past some cats!), but if any gets on their fur, they WILL lick it when they give themselves a bath.
