March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month! Let us take this time to discuss some poison prevention pointers to keep our cats and other pets risk-free.
Cat poisoning isn't like the movies where a person consumes a vial of poison and virtually immediately dies. As cat owners, you are required to act immediately if you suspect your cat has eaten a dangerous material. Nevertheless, most toxic substances will not take effect right away.
Depending on the toxic substance, it could take up to 20 minutes or more to see reactions. The best thing to do when you believe your feline consumed toxin is to call the vet promptly. If it is a weekend, after hours, or your veterinarian's office is closed, you can contact an emergency veterinarian in your area.
Symptoms Of Poisoning
After ingesting toxic food, dogs and pet cats can reveal a wide range of signs that might vary, relying on how long ago the food was consumed and how much was consumed. Symptoms can consist of throwing up, looseness of bowels, convulsions, seizures, excitability, or extreme weakness.
You can call the ASPCA Pet Poison Helpline at 1-888-426-4435. The number is toll-free; however, a consultation charge might be credited to you. They may have the ability to help you or put you in touch with an emergency vet center near your home.
You won't have to break any speeding legislation to get your pet cat to the emergency veterinarian; still, you should act rapidly. A great tip to save time is to have the number of the closest emergency vet clinics at hand.
Spring Can Bring Toxic Plants
When the weather gets warmer, calls to the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center rises. This rise of phone calls comes from being outdoors and around plants, herbicides, fertilizers, and chemicals. Outdoor felines might be more at risk of exposure. If you store lawn and garden cleaners inside, your interior cat can likewise be in danger.
If you find a plant that you can't recognize, take a picture and ask your veterinarian. You can look it up online. It would be best if you research before you bring any plants at home.
The ASPCA likewise has an app that gives you life-saving info. The ASPCA site also has information concerning harmful plants, what to do if you think your pet ingested a toxic substance, as well as general safety tips.
What Flowers are Dangerous to Pet Cats?
Are lilies hazardous to cats?
These blossoms, which flower in late springtime, are especially prominent around Easter. They're incredibly unsafe for pet cats. If a feline consumes a lily, it might cause kidney toxicosis.
Some signs of lily poisoning in cats are vomiting, lethargy, and a lack of appetite. Sadly, there's more bad news: It can take one to five days for these symptoms to show up, and by then, it may be too late. If you believe your feline consumed lilies, call a vet immediately.
Are poinsettias unsafe to cats?
You might have heard that poinsettias that are toxic to pets. The fact is they aren't helpful for them. However, the threats are a little bit overemphasized--it's not deadly. That stated, if a pet cat consumes a poinsettia, they might have some not-so-fun symptoms, such as throwing up.
Are Tulips harmful to Cats?
These spring-blooming perennials look lovely when mixed into bouquets. However, you'll want to keep it out of reach of feline. If a cat consumes tulips, it is going to be sluggish. Looseness of the bowels is a side effect that generally shows up 6 to 12 hours after consumption. The most dangerous part of tulips is their bulbs, so if your pet cat is inside, you can minimize this risk by snipping the stem and putting it in a vase.
Are Daisies Hazardous to Cats?
This timeless blossom is fun to put in your hair, a crown, or a bouquet. But keep it out of reach of your feline as it can trigger incoordination of the muscles. Other symptoms include diarrhea, dehydration, drooling, as well as throwing up. If left unattended, consuming daisies can be deadly.
Are Peonies Harmful to Cats?
The holy grail of wedding blossoms, peonies are poisonous for pet cats. Signs of poisoning in cats include throwing up, sleepiness, and looseness of the bowels. These signs can typically present within 6 hours of consumption.
What Am I To Do If My Cat consumes a Flower?
Though lilies and daisies might carry the most risk, different pet cats may have different responses after consuming plants. It's ideal to call a veterinarian. If the vet calls you in, bring any information you have on the flower. There's not generally an antidote, but the veterinarian can usually treat your pet cat. There's nothing the vet can do to turn around the results, yet your vet can induce them to vomit. Your cat can make a complete recovery.
Our houseplants can be a favorite of pet cats, so it is essential to maintain all hazardous plants out of your feline's reach. If you get a plant that you believe may be harmful to your cat, place it in a locked area. You can also bring the plants with you to the office. By doing this, the threat is far from your pet cat.
Chocolate, As Well As Medications, Can Kill Your Cat
The leading cause that the ASPCA's Poison Control Center gets the most calls is chocolate; large amounts of chocolate can be dangerous to cats and dogs. There are also calls regarding painkillers such as Advil, acetaminophen, and other over-the-counter medicines. People leave those small pill bottles on a counter that a dog or pet cat can quickly get to.
Other Foods That Are Hazardous To Cats
- Macadamia nuts
- Raisins and grapes
- Onions and garlic
- Chocolate, coffee, tea (caffeine)
- Sugar-free gum tissue
- Moldy foods
- Mushrooms
- Fruits having pits (e.g., peaches, cherries, plums)
- Almonds
- Apple (just the stem, leaves, and seeds)
- Avocado
- Grapefruit
- Raw bread dough
It's always an excellent idea to poison-proof your home and educate yourself and family members on what can be poisonous to your pets.
It is essential to keep all drugs in a cupboard out of your pet's reach. Consider your cats virtually like young children; whatever poses a threat must be out-of-reach.
It's a wise suggestion to check out the ASPCA's Poison Avoidance information before you need it. This way, you will undoubtedly be prepared for any possible poison-related situation and act quickly to save your pet.
What various other do you have for preventing poisoning in cats? Help spread the word by sharing this blog!
