Household poisons for cats
Substances at home, in the yard and in the street that can poison a cat. The most dangerous come first.
This lists substances a pet can meet at home, in the yard or in the street. It is not a complete list: if your pet ate or licked anything that is not food, contact a vet.
Ate or licked it? Contact a vet now
Call a veterinary clinic straight away, day or night, even if your pet seems well: signs can take hours or even days to appear.
Say what was eaten or licked and when, and take the packaging with you.
Dangerous
DangerousIf eaten, licked or even touched, contact a vet straight away, even if your pet seems well.
- Antifreeze Yes, antifreeze is very dangerous to cats: even licked off the paws it can damage the kidneys, so contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Cigarettes and nicotine Yes, nicotine is very dangerous to cats, e-cigarette liquid above all, so if your cat ate a cigarette end or licked liquid, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Essential oils Yes, essential oils are very dangerous to cats, which cannot break them down well: if oil got on the coat or into the mouth, contact a vet at once. Dangerous
- Ibuprofen Yes, ibuprofen is very dangerous to cats: it damages the stomach and the kidneys, so if your cat got some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Paracetamol Yes, paracetamol is very dangerous to cats even in a small amount: never give it, and if your cat got some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
- Rat poison Yes, rat poison is very dangerous to cats, even in a poisoned mouse it eats, so contact a vet straight away, even if your cat seems well. Dangerous
- Slug pellets Yes, slug pellets are very dangerous to cats: they can cause trembling and seizures, so if your cat ate some, contact a vet straight away. Dangerous
Poisonous
Not safeDo not let your pet chew or lick them; if signs appear, contact a vet.
More about health
This is general information, not a consultation with a vet. Every animal is different: if your pet is unwell or you are unsure, ask your vet.