Review common poisons for cats during National Poison Prevention Awareness Week
CATalyst Council says items such as household plants and human food can be toxic.
The CATalyst Council wants to bring attention to common cat poisons to mark National Poison Prevention Awareness Week beginning March 17.
Review the CATalyst Council’s top five poison hazards for cats with your clients:
• Household plants. Cats are frequently poisoned by nibbling on plants. Lilies--especially Easter lilies--are the most common lethal plant. Encourage clients to bring in the plant if they suspect it caused a pet’s illness.
• Human food. Onion, garlic, chives, chocolate, caffeine and macadamia nuts can make cats seriously ill.
• Medications. Ingestion of medications, both human and animal, is one of the most common causes of poisoning in cats. Clients should keep all drugs (even those prescribed for their cats) where their cats can’t access them.
• Mouse or rat poison. Cats usually ingest this after eating a mouse or rodent that consumed the poisons directly.
• Flea collars. Cats can be poisoned by flea collars if they ingest them and sometimes even just by wearing them. Flea collars used in cats should be recommended by the cat’s veterinarian and be secured properly on the cat.
Remind clients to call a veterinarian or ASPCA’s 24-hour Emergency Poison Hotline at 888-426-4435 in case of an emergency or with questions about their pet’s health.
