Beware – YOUR cat could be poisoned

Poison – it sounds alarming.  But it’s an increasingly common reason for claims on a cat health insurance policy

Nobody is suggesting you might poison your cat deliberately!  But cats being cats, there are all sorts of ways in which they might be poisoned accidentally.  It’s a good idea to try to guard against these possibilities as much as possible, if you want to avoid serious, and possibly even fatal, accidents for your pet – and major expense if you don’t have cat health insurance.

• House plants.  Believe it or not, there are a number of different house plants that are potentially poisonous to your cat.  The most common ones include begonias, cyclamen and poinsettias, so it’s a good idea not to keep these in your home if you have a cat.  Grow a pot of ordinary garden grass and keep it on your windowsill – this will give him something safe to nibble if he is so inclined.
• Antifreeze.  For some reason, cats find antifreeze very attractive, but it is poisonous to them.  If you have some in your garage, make absolutely sure the cat can’t get at it.  Unfortunately, you can’t control what your neighbours keep in their garages,  but if you know them, you could ask them politely to keep any antifreeze in an inaccessible place.
• Rat poison.  It’s certainly not a good idea to put down rat poison in your house if you have a cat.  But one problem is that the cat while outside may catch a rat or mouse that has been poisoned and is dying.   The main types of rat poison are nerve poisons which could have serious consequences for your cat.
• Slug pellets.  Again, this is something that cats unfortunately find very attractive. This poison too is one that acts on the nervous system.
• Human pills.  Do not under any circumstances be tempted to give your cat a human painkiller, however much pain he may be in.  As little as half a paracetamol tablet can kill a cat.

So how do you know if your cat has been poisoned?  If he is staggering, vomiting, has a sudden onset of diarrhoea, having convulsions, or showing extreme agitation, suspect poisoning and get him to the vet immediately.  If he isn’t vomiting, DON’T try to make him vomit.

If possible phone the vet’s surgery before you set off.  If you have any idea what has poisoned the cat, take it with you.  For instance if he has nibbled a plant, take a couple of the leaves with you.  If he has vomited, take a sample of the vomit.  But even if you have no idea what may have caused the poisoning, still do phone ahead and describe the symptoms so that the vet can be ready for you.