Household products
Is coins and zinc toxic to cats and dogs?
Also sold as swallowed pennies, zinc oxide cream, nappy rash cream, zinc toxicity
Cats
ToxicDogs
Highly toxicSome coins, including US pennies minted after 1982, contain a lot of zinc. In the stomach, acid releases it, destroying red blood cells and damaging the kidneys, liver and pancreas.
By Maya HartIf your pet got into it
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline now, even if your pet seems fine.
- Have the packet ready: the vet needs the name, strength and how much may be missing.
- Do not make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
- An X-ray shows coins in the stomach; they usually need removing.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Pale or yellow gums
- Red or brown urine
- Lethargy and weakness
How much is dangerous
A single zinc-containing coin can poison a small dog. Zinc oxide creams usually cause stomach upset, but repeated licking adds up.
Keeping it safe
- Keep loose change off low tables
- Store nappy rash and sun creams out of reach
- Also watch for zinc in board game pieces, hardware and some supplements
The details
Metal objects that sit in the stomach are more dangerous than those that pass straight through, because stomach acid slowly dissolves them. Swallowed coins that contain zinc can release enough to cause haemolytic anaemia. Coins vary by country and year, so any swallowed coin deserves a call to the vet.
Questions owners ask
Is coins and zinc toxic to cats?
Yes — toxic.
Is coins and zinc toxic to dogs?
Yes — highly toxic.
How much is dangerous?
A single zinc-containing coin can poison a small dog. Zinc oxide creams usually cause stomach upset, but repeated licking adds up.
What should I do if my pet got into it?
Call your vet or a pet poison helpline now, even if your pet seems fine. Have the packet ready: the vet needs the name, strength and how much may be missing. Do not make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to. An X-ray shows coins in the stomach; they usually need removing.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts