Although cats are more selective and picky than dogs when it comes to their food, poisonings still occur. This is due to their curiosity and meticulous fur care, which unfortunately means that poisoning is not uncommon. Certain factors often increase cats' risk of serious poisoning compared to dogs. The cats' small body size means that the amount needed for actual poisoning is not large. In addition, they also have a reduced number of certain liver enzymes, which affect their liver metabolism (turnover of toxins), making them more sensitive to drugs and chemicals. It can be difficult to discover that a cat is poisoned in time because they have a habit of hiding when they are sick, this can result in the cat's symptoms being discovered late and the cat therefore becoming more seriously ill.

Cats can be poisoned in several different ways. Most poisonings occur when cats eat something poisonous, ingest poisoned prey or groom contaminated fur. Some toxins can be absorbed directly through the skin, such as tea tree oil, and a few toxins can cause harm when inhaled, including carbon monoxide and smoke. Since cats take extreme care in cleaning their fur, any skin or fur exposure can quickly result in the poison being ingested from grooming.

I have collected the things you have to be careful with in alphabetical order and it turned into a very long blog post. Therefore, use this as a reference work for when in doubt.

Some of the things I talk about here can be seriously toxic in small amounts, while others need to be consumed in large amounts to be harmful. No two cats are the same and there will always be a cat out there who can easily have eaten something that on paper it shouldn't be able to tolerate.

I won't really get into plants here, but promise to do a blog post on this topic.

Harmful and poisonous things your cat should not eat, be in contact with or play with

Alcohol and raw dough

Cats are curious by nature and can accidentally get hold of alcohol. It can, for example, happen by them drinking from a drink when you look away. Alcohol affects cats in the same way as humans - just more powerfully. This is because cats are much smaller than us. Even small amounts of alcohol can poison a cat.

Symptoms: Vomiting, excessive drooling, diarrhea, ataxia (impaired coordination, drunken gait), tremors, CNS (central nervous system) depression, heart rate drops, difficulty breathing, convulsions, coma and can be life-threatening.

Alcohol can also come from completely different routes than the direct one. Eg. can it come via raw dough. It is generally not healthy for cats to eat yeast dough. The dough rises and ferments in the cat's stomach and forms alcohol.

If the damage has occurred and the cat has gotten hold of some dough, keep a close eye on your cat and ensure that it does not get hurt. A drunken cat can easily get hurt on stairs or with the furniture. Some cats can become aggressive if they are intoxicated because they feel great discomfort.

Symptoms: Uncertainty, wobbly gait, etc.

If your cat shows signs of more severe alcohol poisoning with symptoms such as vomiting, excessive salivation, etc., contact your vet, as this can potentially be life-threatening for your cat.

Avocado

The whole avocado is poisonous! This is because it contains a toxin called persin. Persin is believed to be toxic to cats and, for that matter, most other animals. However, it is not believed that the bought avocado is as poisonous as the wild one. How toxic it is, however, has not been fully investigated. The toxic substance can cause acute cell death in the heart muscle and in the mammary glands.

Symptoms: Low mood, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, congestion, fluid accumulation around the heart tissue, in the lungs and chest. Can become life-threatening.

Babyfood

Baby food contains many different ingredients. Typically, you will be able to find e.g. onion powder which is toxic to cats (see under onions). If your cat eats baby food, check the ingredient list and see if you need to watch out for possible poisoning.

Blackcurrant

No matter how delicious you think blackcurrants are, don't share them with your cat. This is because blackcurrant can cause your cat kidney damage.

Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, decreased urination, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, fatigue, tremors, convulsions, increased thirst. Can cause death

Bones from meat, such as poultry or fish

Bones that have been prepared, for example poultry bones from dinner, can splinter and get stuck in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. All poultry pose a potential risk to cats.

Lead

Lead poisoning is less common, but it can occur from ingesting lead-contaminating household items, such as paint and car batteries. This poisoning often occurs when the cat e.g. gets paint on the fur, which it will try to lick off.

Symptoms: vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, diarrhea, Ataxia (drunken gait/unbalanced gait), convulsions, blindness and tremors.

Chestnuts

Cats tend to be interested in chestnuts because they are fun to play with. Both the chestnut fruit, leaves, flowers and bark contain the glycoside aesculin, which is toxic to cats. Fortunately, it is extremely rare that the cat eats anything, but the risk is there.

Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, dehydration, cramps, paralysis, stiffness, fever. Symptoms typically appear two days after ingestion, but sometimes earlier.

In addition to causing poisoning, chestnuts can also become lodged in the cat's throat/gastrointestinal tract and block passage.

Chocolade

We've all heard that chocolate can be deadly to dogs, but it's just as toxic to cats. Although it may seem unlikely, cats often enjoy snacking on truffles, chocolate-flavored yogurt, snack/protein bars, ice cream/syrup, hot chocolate, pudding, baked goods, and regular chocolate chips or bars. Chocolate contains substances such as theobromine and caffeine that are toxic to cats. How much chocolate the cat can tolerate is individual and depends both on the size of the cat and on the cocoa content (the darker the chocolate, the more toxic). Theobromine causes the cat's heart to beat much faster and can lead to heart attacks. The substance can also irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause stomach bleeding that can be so severe that the cat can die within a few days. The symptoms of chocolate poisoning in cats can appear a long time after consumption and many will therefore not associate the symptoms with the chocolate when it happens.

Symptoms: Hyperactivity, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased thirst, incontinence, tremors, drooling, palpitations etc. Can be life-threatening.

Theobromine is also found in tea, coffee and other cocoa products, such as cocoa nibs.

Coffee, tea, cola, energy drinks

Cats have a tendency to stick their heads in any glass they see. That is why there is also a risk of this poisoning. The content of caffeine affects the cat's central nervous system and heart. There is caffeine in coffee grounds, cola, tea and energy drinks such as Red Bull. In addition, tea contains theobromine, just like chocolate, and is also toxic to your cat.

Symptoms: restlessness, palpitations, muscle tremors and vomiting.

Coolant

Coolant and antifreeze? Yes, it's good enough cats drink coolant and antifreeze. The liquids taste sweet and animals therefore like to drink them, but they contain glycol, which is very toxic to cats, even in small quantities. A lethal dose is 1.5 ml/kg. Normally, coolant is stored safely in a plastic container, but in unfortunate cases can become available to the cat. These fluids are often greasy and the owner can sometimes see that the cat's paws are smeared in coolant. If your cat has ingested glycol, it breaks it down into an amount of toxic substances that can cause acute, life-threatening kidney failure. If the cat does not get treatment quickly after ingestion, it often leads to serious injuries or death. Therefore, take the cat to the vet immediately if you suspect glycol poisoning. The later the vet is contacted, the greater the risk that the cat will die or suffer permanent kidney damage.

Symptoms: Restlessness, nausea, vomiting, depression, hyperventilation and palpitations, increased desire to drink with frequent urination, lack of fluids, decreased body temperature (hypothermia) and convulsions. Coma and death within 12-24 hours of ingestion.

Only after 12 hours can you say anything about the cat's fate. Some cats are so severely affected that they have convulsions and go into a coma. If the cat does not die, the course of the disease often takes 3-4 weeks. If the cat survives kidney failure, it will have to live with chronically bad kidneys.

Dog food

You are absolutely right, dog food is not toxic to cats. However, it is dangerous if you only feed your cat with dog food. We have come across several people who thought in good faith that it was easier to use the same food for the cat as for their dog and we can follow the idea, but unfortunately this is not a good idea. This is because the nutrients in dog food do not meet the cat's needs. Cat food must contain a lot of vitamin A, taurine, arachidonic acid and protein, and dog food does not live up to this. Dogs can survive on lower levels of vitamin A and protein, while cats cannot. Especially taurine is an important thing for the cat and without this the cat could die from a lack as they cannot produce taurine themselves. Dogs can produce taurine and arachidonic acid themselves and are therefore not important in dog food. Without a sufficient amount of taurine, cats can develop heart disease, vision and dental problems.

Fertilizer

This one may sound strange, but it can occur when you have fertilized your lawn and your cat is about to go out and lie in the grass or maybe even taste the grass. Fertilizer products generally contain varying amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) compounds. They can be in liquid, granular or solid form and contain additives such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Since fertilizers are usually a combination of ingredients, the effects of ingestion can vary.

Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling and abdominal pain. In general, they cause mild to moderate irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, but symptoms can be more severe if a large amount is consumed.

Fish and canned tuna

Your cat's diet must not consist exclusively of fish and tinned tongue - regardless of whether it is raw, canned or cooked. Fish by itself does not have the right levels of vitamins or minerals for a cat's nutritional needs. This can lead to a lack of thiamin (vitamin B1), resulting in a decreased appetite, seizures and death. In addition, you must keep an eye on which canned tuna you give. If you want to treat your cat to canned tuna, remember to go for one that is tuna in water. Tuna in oil is too fatty for your cat and can result in fatty diarrhoea. In addition, make sure that no salt has been added to the canned tuna. This can result in salt poisoning in larger quantities (see symptoms under salt poisoning)

Fruit seeds and stones

Fruit seeds and stones are fun for cats to play with, but these contain the toxin cyanide, which is extremely toxic. It can be fatal if your cat eats the stone or seeds it plays with. A few apple cores might do no harm. Larger stones can also become lodged in the digestive tract.

Symptoms: Excessive drooling, Rapid and/or labored breathing, Trembling, Cramps, Rapid pulse, Reddish mucous membranes, Dilated pupils and in the worst case, with larger amounts, acute death can be seen within minutes to hours after ingestion (in larger amounts).

Grapes and raisins

All kinds of grapes and raisins can give the cat serious kidney problems. This can lead to kidney failure and thus be fatal. Even a small amount of grapes and raisins can make your cat sick - they can even lead to the rapid development of kidney failure. Within 12 hours of ingestion, vomiting sometimes occurs. It is very individual how much the cat can tolerate and whether it is affected at all. This also depends on the size of the cat. The poisonous dose is from one to eight raisins or grapes per kilos of body weight. Not all cats get sick. Some animals can eat raisins and grapes their entire lives without ever getting sick. Other cats can die from only very small amounts. But is it worth the chance to try? No, well. Therefore, avoid giving your cat raisins or grapes.

Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, decreased urination, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, fatigue, tremors, convulsions, increased thirst. Can cause death

Household cleaning products

Many cat owners are unaware that some common household cleaners, including kitchen and bath surface cleaners, carpet cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners, can be toxic to cats.

Symptoms: drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, mouth ulcers (gastrointestinal tract ulcers and organ damage)

Insecticides and molluscicides

Another point that makes the nose wrinkle a little, but it is actually a real problem. This exposure often occurs when a cat walks through treated areas where we use lawn and garden products, sprays, powders or granules. Insecticides containing organophosphates and carbamates are very toxic to cats. This settles in the fur and will poison the cat when the cat washes itself. Fortunately, serious poisoning is rare.

Ant bait contains boric acid, which is toxic to cats if eaten in large quantities. Ant bait has a sweet smell and taste to attract ants. They also seem to attract cats.

Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, muscle tremors and convulsions.

We also use insecticides to protect our animals. Some of these contain pyrethrins and pyrethroids, which can be toxic to cats. They are used to treat fleas and lice in cats, dogs and birds, but if used incorrectly they will cause serious illness.

Symptoms: depression, drooling, muscle tremors, reduced respiratory effort and unbalanced gait.

When we talk about flea and tick treatments, we have to emphasize in particular:

Bayvantic, Frontect, Vectra 3D

This is because they are responsible for Permethrin poisoning in cats. Although it works well in dogs, it is very toxic to cats. Poisoning occurs when you use the dog products directly on the cat. It is so toxic to cats that symptoms have been seen in cats that have licked these medications from dogs. The reason why this is so extremely toxic to cats is because the substance must normally be excreted through the liver. Cats don't have that ability, and excretion therefore takes place very slowly. This means that cats accumulate the substance in the blood and thus build up a concentration that is dangerous for the cat. It does not take much to cause poisoning in cats, as they cannot tolerate the substance at all.

You will see the first serious symptoms if you give a dose that corresponds to a dog of the same size.

Symptoms: Trembling and convulsions, Vomiting, Sudden excessive salivation, Uncoordinated movements, Increased skin sensitivity (hyperesthesia), Overheating / fever. Dehydration, imbalance in the salt balance of the blood. This can lead to fluid leakage (edema) in the lungs and brain.
If the cat has no symptoms or only weak symptoms, the cat must be washed in, for example, sulpho soap. Be very careful that the cat does not get cold

Always read labels carefully before using any insecticide and ask your vet about appropriate topical flea and tick medications for your cat.

Molluscicides (snail and slug baits) come in a variety of forms and can be mixed with other toxins. The only snail poison approved in Denmark is based on iron phosphate, also called ferric phosphate. This agent is harmful to naked snails, but not toxic to cats and other animals in the garden. However, you may be unlucky to see illegal snail poison in shops in Denmark, and some people buy illegal products online, e.g. German snail remedies based on Metaldehyde, which is a very dangerous nerve agent. The toxin spreads throughout the body and can lead to liver failure, destruction of the blood's ability to clot and in many cases it unfortunately ends in death. There is no antidote for this poisoning. To lure the snails to the poison, bran or molasses is often added, which also attracts cats. Therefore, check the label thoroughly and talk if necessary. with your neighbors about what they use.

Symptoms: Vomiting, profuse drooling, nervousness, restlessness, rapid heart rate, hyperventilation, stiff gait, repeated involuntary jerky eye movements back and forth or up and down (nystagmus), dilated pupils, temporary blindness, muscle tremors or convulsions, increased body temperature (hyperthermia) , severe convulsive backward bending of the neck and back (opisthotonus)

Symptoms can develop within 30 minutes of ingestion, but it can also take 3 hours or more. It is very important to contact your vet as soon as possible! Cats and dogs that have eaten seal poison must go to the vet within 3 hours.

Liver/Liver paste

Uuuh the good liver paté. The cat's and dog's favorite and an easy little cozy snack to give. As a starting point, the cat can tolerate liver pate well. Having said this, liver paté contains quite a few ingredients that cats cannot tolerate. Therefore, you should always check what has been added to the liver paste. Some paste contain, for example, onion and garlic - two foods that cats cannot tolerate. In addition, cats should not be given liver in excessive quantities, as this can lead to vitamin A poisoning. However, cats can tolerate liver in very small quantities. This can affect its bones and lead to osteoporosis. The high content of fat and salt in liver paste can also have negative consequences for your cat.

Macadamia nuts and walnuts

All types of nuts are poisonous, but macadamia nuts are particularly poisonous to cats and can lead to everything from vomiting to paralysis and death. Within 12 hours, the cat can develop various symptoms such as loss of balance, fever and vomiting. The symptoms can worsen if the cat has eaten the nuts in chocolate. The reason why the nuts are poisonous is not yet known.

Symptoms: Decreased appetite, vomiting, bloody stools, impaired liver function, diarrhoea, upset stomach/intestines, unsteadiness, lethargy, paralysis and can be life-threatening.

Also be aware that the cat can get salt poisoning from eating salted nuts.

Milk and dairy products

Most of us have probably come across this at one point or another in our lives. This is because our cats love to drink milk even if it is not good for them. Cats have trouble digesting the lactose in milk, which can cause stomach upset or diarrhea. The cat starts out drinking milk with lactose as kittens, but because their milk period only lasts for a few weeks, their digestive system is often not equipped to cope with lactose later in life. So while some cats have no problem tolerating milk, it is not recommended to give cats milk, due to the possibility of digestive problems.

Symptoms: diarrhoea, abdominal pain, depression.

Medicine

It is not uncommon for a cat to be poisoned with medicine intended for dogs or humans. Unfortunately, these medications can be some of the most lethal to cats. Cats have difficulty breaking down certain medications that dogs and humans are fine with. This applies, among other things, to paracetamol, which is commonly used for both humans and dogs but is extremely toxic to cats. In addition, ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®) are also included in the group of dangerous drugs for cats. Even some preparations made for animals can be toxic to cats if given in too high a dose or for longer than recommended. We will try to give you an easy overview of the most common drug poisonings here.

Paracetamol poisoning (Panodil, Pamol, Pinex etc.): Cats are extremely sensitive to paracetamol toxicity. The toxic dose for cats is 50 to 100 mg/kg.

Symptoms: are brown gums, difficulty breathing, blood in the urine, jaundice and swelling.

NEVER give Paracetamol to cats!

Aspirin: The recommended doses for cats to relieve pain and fever is 10 mg/kg every 48 hours. The toxic dose is 80 to 120 mg/kg for 10 to 12 days.

Symptoms: anorexia, vomiting, gastric bleeding, anemia and hyperthermia. The symptoms that come depend on the dose it has received

Ibuprofen: Cats are very sensitive to ibuprofen toxicity. It is known that an acute intake of 50 mg/kg will produce a toxic effect.

Symptoms: vomiting, depression, anorexia and diarrhea.

Pain relievers that you apply to the skin: Most medications that you apply to the skin contain the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID (for example, ibuprofen, diclofenac and flurbiprofen). If you use these medications, care should be taken as your cat may come into contact with the cream by rubbing up against you or by licking the area where the cream was applied. the cat can also get it if you pat it after applying the cream with your hands without washing them.

Symptoms: vomiting, depression, anorexia and diarrhea.

Medicines with serotonin: Anti-depressant medicines of the SSRI type seek to ensure that the brain has enough serotonin. If you get too much anti-depressant medicine at once, the brain cannot get rid of the excess serotonin and you get serotonin poisoning or so-called Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin affects the brain in many places, so the symptoms of serotonin poisoning can come from many places in the body. However, you often have to put cold water in your blood, because in an American study it was shown that 3 out of 4 dogs that have been given too much serotonin re-uptake inhibitor medicine (SSRI) did not even show symptoms.

Symptoms: Fatigue, denial, depression, hyperactivity, uncoordinated gait (ataxia), overreactive reflexes, shaking/shaking, convulsions, transient blindness, very large pupils, Vomiting, diarrhea, Drooling, Abdominal pain, Affected pulse (high or low), arrhythmic pulse , High blood pressure, Too slow breathing, fever.

Serotonin poisoning is rarely fatal, but if your cat shows any of the signs listed above, you should contact your vet immediately.

ADHD medications: Cats also seem to like the taste of certain ADHD medications (eg, Adderall), which seem to contain an attractive smell or taste in the coating. These act as stimulants and raise heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature to dangerous levels.

Symptoms: Increased heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, restlessness

Antidiabetics: cause a large drop in blood sugar levels.

Symptoms: Disorientation, lack of coordination and seizures

Cold medicine: acts as a stimulant,

Symptoms: Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and seizures

Vitamin D Derivatives: Most of the exposures to vitamin D3 are from curious kittens consuming people's vitamin D supplements that contain cholecalciferol (also known as vitamin D3). This causes life-threatening increases in blood calcium levels, which can damage sensitive organs including the kidneys, heart and lungs. This damage often results in kidney failure.

Symptoms: nausea, diarrhea.

Nicotine (cigarettes, shots, snuff or e-liquid)

Nicotine poisoning can happen in many ways. The cat can play with an old snuff bag lying out, or cigarette butts in nature. In addition, there are also e-cigarette refills with nicotine in them that can be consumed. If a cat gets hold of one like this, it gets a very high and potentially fatal dose of nicotine. The minimum lethal dose is approx. 20-100 mg. A pack of cigarettes contains approx. 13-30 mg – there is 0.7 – 1.2 mg in a cigarette.

Nicotine first stimulates the nerves and then inhibits them afterwards. A very high dose of Nikon can result in paralysis of breathing. This is because nicotine affects the autonomic nervous system, which is the part of the nervous system that controls all the processes in the body that are outside of our own control. It is e.g. the intestinal system, blood pressure and partly pulse and breathing.

Symptoms: Vomiting, Diarrhea, excessive drooling, Abnormal heart rhythm, Shallow breathing, Uncoordinated movements, Tremors and convulsions, Denial, collapse. This poisoning can lead to death.

Symptoms come on quickly (within 15-45 minutes)

Seek veterinary care as soon as possible if you suspect poisoning.

Onions, garlic and chives

Most of our onions and onion plants are poisonous to cats and don't forget leeks which also belong to the onion family. This is because onions contain allicin, which is toxic to cats. Allicin is found in both raw and cooked onions and can cause anemia in cats. It is difficult to know how much onion is needed for the cat to be poisoned. You should therefore refrain from giving your cat any types of onions. This is especially important to think about if you give your cat food scraps, because there are very often large amounts of onion in our food. If your cat has gnawed on the newly planted onion plants and starts behaving differently, call the vet immediately. Be aware that many of the flowers for onion plants are also poisonous to your cat when you have them in vases.

Symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, weakness, convulsions, decreased appetite, difficulty breathing, pale mucous membranes, abdominal pain, orange to dark red urine and unfortunately can cause death.

If you see any of these symptoms, the cat must be taken to the vet immediately.

Potatoes and especially the green ones

If your cat is one of those who like potatoes, remember that raw potatoes, unripe potatoes, green potatoes, the green leaves of the potato plant and the potato apples contain the poisons solanine and chaconine. Solanine is corrosive, can cause gastrointestinal irritation, sudden anemia and affects the cat's nervous system. However, the poisoning is usually mild, and it is therefore not certain that the cat shows signs of poisoning. This is because the substance solanine is very poorly absorbed by the cat, just as it is often converted into less toxic substances that are quickly excreted from the body. Boiled potatoes pose no risk of poisoning in a healthy cat (however, they contain such a large amount of carbohydrates that you should still refrain from giving the dog too many potatoes). However, it is best to peel and boil your potatoes or to bake them, as the solanine is in the peel.

Symptoms: Intestinal upset, nausea, drooling, Vomiting, Diarrhea, decreased appetite, Depression, Dilated pupils, Low heart rate, cramps, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, difficulty breathing, paralysis and unconsciousness.

Rat poison

This is a common cause of cat poisoning, and most people don't realize that eating a poisoned rodent can also poison your cat. Rat poison contains substances that prevent the blood from coagulating. If your cat eats rat poison, it will therefore have internal bleeding. It is a life-threatening condition.

Different types of rat poison can vary in dangerousness, so try to find out which type of rat poison your cat has eaten. If possible, take the packaging with you to the vet as it is important that you and your vet have correctly identified the active ingredient in the ingested products to ensure that the treatment is appropriate.  The chance of recovery depends on, among other things of how quickly you react. Signs of rodenticide ingestion appear one to four days after ingestion.

Symptoms: Pale mucous membranes, colic, bleeding from the nose, mouth and throat, bloody vomiting, bruises, internal bleeding, diarrhea with blood in the stool, possibly lameness and death. Symptoms of poisoning with anticoagulants often appear a few days after ingestion.

It is extremely important to contact the vet as soon as possible as the treatment must be started in time. If this is the case, the cat can recover completely without any harm.

Raw eggs and raw meat

Like humans, eating raw eggs or raw meat can lead to salmonella or E. coli poisoning in cats. You can easily feed your cats raw meat, but just be aware of the possibility of poisoning. Raw eggs also contain an enzyme that can lead to skin and coat problems.

The symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.

Salmonella and E. coli can also be transmitted to humans, so be careful to wash your hands properly after cooking and keep your cat away from these ingredients. Salt

Rhubarb and star fruit

Rhubarb and star fruit contain soluble calcium oxalate crystals. These oxalates are found in all parts of both plants. The calcium in the body is bound to the soluble oxalates, and thus the level of calcium in the cat falls. In rhubarb, the concentration is higher in the leaves, while the stems are not really considered to be toxic. The good thing is that it takes a large amount before poisoning can occur.

Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhoea, profuse salivation, lethargy, muscle weakness, tremors, cramps, blood in the urine and increased thirst and urination. In the most severe cases, kidney failure is seen.

Salt 

Salt is an important component of your cat's diet and plays a vital role in its well-being. Salt maintains body fluid and is necessary for the organs and nervous system to function. However, if your cat consumes a large amount of salt, it can get salt poisoning. Your cat can e.g. have eaten something from your plate with a lot of salt on it and it's not very big, then you don't need very much. The first reaction to salt poisoning is often nausea and diarrhea. If these symptoms appear, it is important to get the cat treated so that it does not lose too much fluid. If you have children at home and they are involved in baking or playing with magic dough, it may be an idea to keep the animals away, as they can quickly grab anything that falls on the floor.

Spinach

Spinach has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, spinach contains large amounts of vitamins such as A, B, C and K. Then spinach also contains iron, antioxidants, e.g. beta-carotene and fiber which are good for your cat. But on the other hand, spinach contains oxalic acid, which inhibits the body's ability to absorb calcium and in extreme cases can lead to kidney failure. Fortunately, it takes large amounts of spinach to lead to kidney failure, and cats with healthy kidneys can tolerate small amounts of spinach. cats with reduced kidney function should not have spinach.

Toads

Although dogs are more likely to be exposed to poisonous toads, cats have also been reported to develop poisoning. Encounters with toads are more common during the rainy season (March-September) when breeding takes place. Toads are most active after rain or at dawn, dusk and at night. Toads have poison glands under their skin, and they secrete a poison that cats are sensitive to. Danish toads are not particularly poisonous, but the cat can still be affected by toad poisoning. This type of poisoning is usually not dangerous, but it can be uncomfortable for the cat.

Symptoms: Violent drooling and small pupils etc.

As a rule, it is enough to keep an eye on your cat. If the cat is very bothered, you can contact the vet.

Tomatoes and tomato plants

It is best to avoid tomatoes in your cat's meals. Like potatoes, tomatoes contain the substance solanine, which is toxic to cats. However, the substance is primarily found in the green parts of the tomato plant (the stem, the leaves and the unripe fruits). cats can therefore get away with consuming ripe tomatoes in very small quantities without being poisoned by solanine. On the other hand, tomatoes also contain the substance alpha-tomatine, which in large quantities can be harmful to the cat's heart. But here it must be quite large quantities. In addition, cats are not super interested in tomatoes.

Symptoms: drooling, difficulty breathing, colic, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.

Xylitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener and gradually there are many foods that contain xylitol instead of sugar. Toothpaste, chewing gum, sweets and sugar-free products are examples of products that may contain xylitol. The sweetener xylitol is dangerous for cats and can, among other things, cause permanent liver damage. Xylitol triggers a violent release of insulin in the cat and thus lowers blood sugar. Within a very short time, the cat can go into a coma and, depending on the amount of xylitol the cat has consumed, it can also suffer liver failure. It is very individual how much a cat can tolerate from the substance, and also depends on the size of the cat. Therefore, never give your cat anything that contains xylitol.

Symptoms: Vomiting, tremors, depressed mood, fainting, low blood sugar, convulsions, unconsciousness Can be life-threatening.

A final word

Then we finally got through the most important ones. If you are unsure whether your cat has eaten something that could be harmful, you should always contact the vet immediately. The most important factor in how well your cat copes with possible poisoning or blockage of the intestinal tract is the time between ingestion and treatment. It may be a good idea to take something with you that may have poisoned the cat, so that the vet has a quick idea of which treatment is the right one. The sooner your vet figures out exactly what is poisoning your cat, the sooner it can be stopped.

It was the last for this time. Take care of your misses and remember "better safe than sorry"

 

-MyPetPassion