While cats bring a lot of joy to our lives, most are not especially good at following directions and they don’t always know what is best for their well-being. It is up to cat owners to make cat poison prevention a priority in order to keep their felines safe from harm. Having a good relationship with a Burbank veterinarian, such as Rainbow Pet Hospital, is a good step in preparing for an emergency when a cat has ingested or has come into contact with a harmful substance. Our veterinarian in Burbank can examine for regular health issues your cat may be experiencing, to better find an efficient treatment if your cat comes into contact with the poison.
Cat Poison Prevention Tips
When it comes to preventing access to things that might be poisonous or toxic to your cat, you should treat him or her like a small child, and keep dangerous things out of reach. Here are a few areas you should pay special attention to:
Plants
If you have plants located indoors or outdoors where your cat likes to roam, be sure to block harmful plants that are potentially poisonous to your cat. Be aware and keep plants such as lilies, aloe vera, baby’s breath, or carnations out of harms reach.
Human Foods
Certain foods such as dairy products, onions, garlic, grapes, raw eggs, meat, and fish can have either an immediate or long-term negative effect on your cat’s health and can interfere with vitamin absorption or inhibit liver function. Although tuna is an ingredient in cat food, it should not be fed to a cat because of the risk of mercury poison.
Medications
If your cat needs medication, it should be at the recommendation of a Burbank vet. Human medications for headaches, colds, or allergies are toxic to cats. Even medications for dogs can be toxic to cats, no matter how small the dosage may be.
Pest Control Products
Poisons that are designed to kill pests and bugs can also harm your cat. The ingredients that attract the pests may also attract your cat. Be especially careful to keep these out of reach.
Reacting if Your Cat Might Be Poisoned
If you think or know that your cat has come in contact with something that may be poisonous, responding to an emergency quickly is important. You should bring your cat into the Burbank vet as soon as possible. There are also steps you can take in the immediate aftermath of an incident, that depend partially on how the cat came into contact with the poison. If the poison is fumes or a gas, get your pet out for fresh air. If it is on the skin, remove it while wearing protective gloves. Using water and solvents can potentially make the problem worse, and should not be used unless the vet has told you to use them. If a poison is swallowed, seek emergency services from a veterinarian. Do not induce vomiting, as it also may do more harm than good.
Contact Our Veterinarian in Burbank Today for An Appointment!
Cat poisoning can be cause for immediate alarm, or it may affect vitamin levels, blood cells, and general organ function which can create long term needs. Rainbow Vet Hospital can develop a long-term care plan for your cat to address further issues that might arise. Contact us at (818) 846-1166 to schedule an appointment.