Cat ate or touched something? Get help now
TummyCats
Menu

Cat ate or touched something?

Act now. Call your vet first. If you can’t reach them, call an animal poison helpline.

What to do now

  1. Move your cat away from itTake your cat away from the plant, food or product, and keep other pets away too.
  2. Call your vet or a poison helpline nowDon't wait for signs. Cats hide illness, so poisoning can look mild at first.
  3. Note what, how much and whenYour vet will ask when, where and how it happened.
  4. Keep the packaging or a piece of the plantTake it with you to the vet if you can.
  5. Don't try to make your cat vomitThere's no safe way to do it at home. Never give salt or hydrogen peroxide.
  6. If it's on their fur or pawsStop your cat grooming and ask your vet whether to wash it off with mild shampoo and water.

Signs of poisoning in cats

Signs depend on the poison. Call even if your cat seems fine.

  • Stomach and mouthDrooling, not eating, gagging, vomiting or diarrhoea.
  • Behaviour and nervesHiding, overexcitement, wobbliness, tremors, seizures, unusual sleepiness or collapse.
  • BreathingCoughing, sneezing, panting or difficulty breathing.
  • SkinRedness, inflammation, burns or swelling.

After any possible poisoning, keep your cat indoors for 24 hours so you can watch them.

Sources

  • Cats and poisonsInternational Cat Care · Read 9 October 2026
    Remove your cat from the source of the poison and isolate them from other animals
    Contact your veterinary team for advice immediately
    make sure you know when, where, and how the poisoning occurred.
    If possible, take the packaging, plant, or substance with you to the veterinary clinic
    try to prevent your cat from grooming itself further and wash them thoroughly with mild shampoo and water under instruction from your veterinary team
  • Household Hazards – Toxic Hazards for CatsVCA Animal Hospitals · Read 9 October 2026
    their tendency to hide symptoms when ill, make their poisoning less obvious compared to dogs and may also delay treatment.
    It is NOT advisable to try to make cats vomit at home, as there are currently no over-the-counter products that safely induce vomiting in cats.
    It is important to note that hydrogen peroxide should never be used to induce vomiting in cats.
    Giving a cat salt or hydrogen peroxide to attempt emesis, for example, may also result in poisoning or significant injury
    Gastrointestinal signs such as drooling, lack of appetite, gagging, vomiting, and diarrhea
    Neurological signs including hiding, hyperexcitability, incoordination, tremors, seizures, lethargy, or coma
    Respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing, panting, or difficulty breathing
    Skin signs including redness, inflammation, burns, and swelling
    After any potential exposure to poisons, it is advisable to keep your cat indoors for 24 hours for observation.
  • People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your PetsASPCA Animal Poison Control · Read 9 October 2026
    please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or poison control

Call your vet first, or a helpline:

Get help now