While having a feline friend can be a great experience, there are many toxic items to be aware of. For example, giving your pet a bite of chocolate may seem harmless, but it can actually cause death. For cat poison ingestion and other problems, consider seeing our veterinarian at The Cat Practice in Oak Park, IL. Read on to learn more about common household items that are poisonous to your cat.
Household Cleaners
Cats that ingest cleaning products can experience vomiting, profuse drooling, difficulty breathing, and chemical burns. Therefore, cleaning up any spills and residue from cleaning products is extremely important. Similarly, keeping your cat out of the room while you do laundry and use household cleaners is also a good idea.
Your Garden and Houseplants
If you have a green thumb or enjoy keeping a few houseplants around, knowing which ones are toxic in a feline household can be helpful. For example, many varieties of lilies are dangerous, including stargazer lilies, tiger lilies, Asiatic hybrid lilies, daylilies, western lilies, and others. Philodendrons, tulips, Japanese yew, dieffenbachia, and foxglove are also highly toxic.
Chocolate and Other Foods
Although your cat may have the most adorable face, it's important to resist the temptation to give her certain foods. Be sure to never leave pieces of food lying around or unattended. Some poisonous foods are raisins, grapes, chocolate, chives, garlic, onions, alcohol, meat, and raw eggs. Furthermore, table scraps can contain ingredients that are potentially dangerous to your cat, so it's best to avoid these, especially around the holidays.
Other Common Poisons
Being aware of the various other poisonous household items can make it easier to keep your curious kitty safe. Some of these items include flea treatments, medication, mothballs, coins, essential oils, homemade playdough, cannabis, fabric softener sheets, batteries, and coffee grounds.
Contact Our Veterinarian in Berwyn, IL
Would you like more information? Dr. Coughlin at The Cat Practice can answer any questions and provide emergency care if your feline friend has eaten something she shouldn’t. If you have concerns about your cat and live in or around Oak Park or Berwyn, call our team today at (708) 383-5997 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form for non-emergencies.