- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
With their finicky palettes, it may seem like cats are less likely to eat toxic substances than dogs. However, cats are infamously curious, and their tendency to self-groom makes them vulnerable to licking potentially dangerous substances off their fur. If your cat ingests something toxic, you might wonder how to make a cat throw up at home.
After all, it may seem best to get the toxin out of your cat’s system ASAP, right? Experts say that’s not necessarily the case. While your vet may induce vomiting in a cat who ate something toxic, you shouldn’t try to do it yourself, according to Christen Fout, DVM, Medical Director at the Veterinary Emergency Group.
Learn why you shouldn’t induce vomiting at home and get tips on how to determine if your cat’s poisoned.
Is It Safe to Make Your Cat Throw Up at Home?
Dr. Fout says inducing vomiting in pets always comes with an inherent risk. First, a cat could potentially inhale some of their stomach contents and develop aspiration pneumonia, which happens when foreign particles get into a cat’s lungs. However, she adds that the benefits of a cat vomiting up a toxin outweigh the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Additionally, Dr. Fout explains that there aren’t any over-the-counter medications pet parents can use to safely induce vomiting in cats at home. So, if a vet or pet poison hotline suggests inducing vomiting, you should head to the emergency vet, where a professional can administer a cat-safe emetic, such as Xylazine or Dexmedetomidine.
What Are The Physical Signs of Poisoning in Cats?
The most common physical signs of poisoning in cats include the following.
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Heavy Breathing
- Sluggishness
- Seizures
If your cat shows any physical signs of poisoning, you should contact your vet or a pet poison hotline. The two most common hotlines are:
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.
Both hotlines will charge a fee for phone consultation, but they will also offer specific advice for your cat and help you determine if they need to visit the emergency vet.
Should You See a Vet After Your Cat Ingests a Toxic Substance?
Not every cat who comes into contact with something toxic needs immediate vet attention. For instance, if your cat has something on their fur that they haven’t licked off, a bath or wipe-down could remove the toxin before it enters their system.
If your cat ingests something, the danger level can depend on several factors, including the following.
- The type and potency of the toxin
- The amount of the toxin your cat ate, licked, or inhaled
- Your cat’s age
- Your cat’s size
- Your cat’s general health
Since every case is so different, play it safe and contact a professional. Beyond inducing vomiting, Dr. Fout says a vet may also suggest other treatment options, such as activated charcoal, IV fluids, or oxygen therapy.
How Can You Prevent Your Cat from Ingesting Toxins in the Future?
The easiest way to keep your kitty safe is to cat-proof your house or yard for any potential toxins. Below, learn more about these potential toxins and how to prevent your cat from ingesting them.
Human medicine
Cats may swallow stray pills that are left out on the counter or dropped on the floor, including Tylenol, muscle relaxants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
How to prevent: Keep medications sealed and locked away in a cat-proof cabinet or drawer, and clean up any stray pills that fall on the floor immediately. If your cat likes to trash-surf, a pet-proof garbage can could also prove useful.
Pet medications
Even medications meant for pets can be dangerous if used improperly, i.e. if you give your cat medication formulated for dogs. Dr. Fout says one common misused medicine is flea preventatives for dogs since the active ingredient, permethrin or pyrethrin, is toxic to cats.
How to prevent: Follow vet directions for all your pets’ medicines, and be careful not to mix up your pup’s flea treatment with your cat’s.
Indoor and outdoor plants
There’s nothing wrong with taking a bite of cat grass now and then, but if a cat chooses the wrong plant to nibble on, the consequences could be dangerous. For instance, lilies can lead to life-threatening kidney failure, even when eaten in only tiny amounts. Dangerously, your cat doesn’t even need to eat these plants directly; even getting pollen on their fur could cause an issue.
How to prevent: Replace any toxic plants in your house or yard with pet-friendly alternatives. You may also want to supervise your cat if they go outdoors to prevent them from wandering into a neighbor’s yard and taking a bite of their landscaping.
Making Cats Throw Up: A Takeaway
Curious cats may sometimes bite off more than they can chew. If your cat ingests a toxic substance, don’t try to make them throw up at home. Instead, call a pet poison hotline or your local vet for advice on how to proceed.
You can also prevent potential trips to the emergency vet by keeping medicines tucked away safely and cat-proofing your house from other potential toxins. That way, your cat can enjoy a full run of their kingdom, and you can rest assured they’ll reign safely.