Speaker: Emily Thompson, JustAnswer Expert
Emily Thompson: I'm Doctor Emily Thompson and I have 10 years of experience being a small animal veterinarian. As an expert on JustAnswer, I answer all veterinary questions related to dogs and cats.
Emily Thompson: In this video, I will be sharing tips on managing pet toxicity and poisoning when it comes to your cat.
Emily Thompson: Now, I will share some common household items that are toxic to cats. These include things such as medications, cleaning products, plants and food. As far as medications go, the most common toxicity I see is to pain relievers such as Advil and Tylenol. Cats are extremely sensitive and even a small dose can be fatal. I recommend keeping only nontoxic plants in the household. Also be careful of flower arrangements as they can contain toxic plants. Lilies especially are very dangerous to cats. Some common foods that can be toxic include chocolate, grapes, raisins, nuts, onions and garlic.
Emily Thompson: Now, I will share how you can recognize the signs of poisoning in your cat. When cats are sick, the signs can be very subtle. So it's important to pay close attention to their behaviors. Signs of poisoning can include things like drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, confusion, decreased appetite, trembling, or even hiding. In cases of severe poisoning, you might notice things like difficulty breathing, collapse, unconsciousness or even seizures.
Emily Thompson: As soon as you suspect poisoning in your cat, the very first thing you should do is contact a veterinarian. Do not try to induce vomiting on your own unless specifically directed by a vet. Make sure you are aware of all 24-hour emergency vets in your area in case poisoning occurs after hours and your regular vet is unavailable. When heading to the vet, make sure you have all information regarding what your cat ingested. It's helpful to have a sample or list of ingredients so that the vet can treat accordingly.
Emily Thompson: Now, I will share how you can cat-proof your home to prevent accidental poisoning. I recommend keeping any foods or medications in sealed containers. Cats are very capable of jumping up high and onto countertops. So it's important to keep any potentially toxic items safely stored away in drawers or cabinets. I recommend not having any toxic plants in your house. But if you do, make sure they are kept way up high and out of their reach. It only takes a few seconds for cats to ingest something toxic. So it's important to never leave any toxic items left unattended or exposed.
Emily Thompson: I invite viewers with any questions or concerns about cat health to reach out directly via the link in the video description.
