5 Top Household Poisons For Cats

Hello, everyone. This is Lexy checking in with some very important information on keeping your pet safe. March is Pet Poison Awareness month, a time when pet parents are reminded that there are many toxins and dangers lurking in their home that can harm their pets.

Cats are curious creatures. We poke our noses into containers and paw our way into cabinets if we think there is something that will pique our interest, but we don’t realize that what is lying in wait could be very dangerous for us. We rely on our humans to keep those unsafe items out of our reach.

Many pet parents are unaware of what these dangerous items and substances are. One of our goals here at Lola The Rescued Cat is to educate our readers so their cats can live happy, healthy lives, so I have a list of five of the top household poisons for cats and some safety precautions you can take.

Five of the Top Household Poisons for Cats

1. Plants

The ASPCA reports that 5.4%* (10,725) of  Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) cases in 2017 were due to plants. Some plants and flowers that are toxic to cats are carnations, Chinese Jade, Daffodils, Tulips, Holly, Hosta, Philodendron and Night Shade. (Click here for a complete list.) Lilies are one of the most poisonous plants to cats. Even a small amount of the pollen (that can land on your cat’s fur and can be ingested during grooming) can be fatal. With Easter just around the corner, opt for a safer alternative such as Orchids or an Easter Cactus. If you love houseplants, why not grow a pot of catnip or African Violets?

Photo: Getty Images

2.  Medications

Human prescription medications topped the ASPCA’s list of the Top Ten Pet Toxins of 2017.  Last year, 17.5% (34,888) of APCC cases were attributed to prescription medications.  Cats have difficulty metabolizing certain drugs, and Antidepressants, NSAIDs, Prescription ADD/ADHD medications, and over the counter cough, cold and allergy medications are serious threats to us.  Effects of the ingestion of any of these are severe neurological and cardiac consequences, seizures, tremors, liver failure, and possible death. One acetaminophen tablet can be fatal for a cat because of the red blood cell damage is causes. This can be prevented by being extra cautious when you’re taking medication. Do a pill count to be sure none have dropped, and if you suspect you have dropped a pill search for it immediately. Keep medications out of kitty’s reach in a secured location. (Warning: many cats, like myself, can open a cabinet. Take this into consideration when storing your medications.)

3. Household cleaners

In 2017, Household Items comprised  8.6% of APCC cases.  Toilet and drain cleaners can cause chemical burns, and other corrosive agents that are dangerous include oven cleaners, rust-removal agents, and lime-removal products. Many cat owners don’t realize that some common household cleaners like kitchen and bath surface cleaners, carpet cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners can be harmful to cats. While contact with small amounts of these cleaners is not necessarily deadly, they will certainly irritate your pets’ digestive and respiratory systems. Some precautions you can take include: closely following the instructions on the labels; wiping down surfaces thoroughly after using cleaners; if you suspect your cat has gotten any household cleaners on their paws, wash them off immediately; keeping cleaners locked in a cabinet that your cat can’t get into; purchasing non-toxic cleaners. Our mother has started to use natural household cleaners and hardly ever buys commercial cleaners anymore. It’s not only better for us, but it’s also better for her, too!

Photo: bbhyglene ltd

4. Insecticides

According to the ASPCA, insecticide exposure cases continued to decrease with only 6.7% of APCC cases (13,307) related to these items in 2017. If the directions on the label are not followed, these products can be dangerous to pets, so always use caution when dealing with insect poisons. Any product containing organophosphates and large amounts of iron can lead to seizures, vomiting, bloody stool, liver and heart issues. Opt instead for all natural, chemical free products. If you do use conventional products follow the label instructions carefully and keep your cat away from the product! Wipe up any excess immediately. If you’re using insecticides in your yard, keep your cat indoors so they will not come in contact with them. And as always, store them safely.

5. Food 

Human food remains one of the top 10 pet toxins. In 2017 10.9% of APCC cases (21,648) were related to human food consumption. Cats cannot safely ingest all of the food people eat so pet owners need to be cautious. Some everyday foods that pose potential hazards are:

Alcohol: Alcohol consumption can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing and tremors. A tablespoon or less can put a cat into a coma and can lead to death.

Caffeine (coffee, soda, tea, energy drinks:) Caffeine can cause restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, and muscle tremors.

Photo: Dreamstime.com

Dairy Products: Cats have difficulty digesting the lactose in dairy products, which can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and upset stomach.

Chocolate: The compound in chocolate that is of major concern is theobromine. It is in all forms of chocolate, and most concentrated in dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Consumption can cause heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, or seizures. Chocolate also contains caffeine.

Onions and Garlic: Onions and garlic can cause damage to your cat’s red blood cells and lead to anemia. Baby food made from meat is often seasoned with onion or garlic, so read the labels carefully if you feed these to your cat.


If you think your pet has ingested a dangerous substance, you can call the Animal Poison Control  Center’s 24 hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 or the 24 hour Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661.

I hope this post was informative. Feel free to share or Pin our Infographic to help keep pets safe.

*These numbers also include the statistics for dogs. 
Lexy