Medicines and products that are dangerous for cats

• ADHD medicationStimulant ADHD medicines are dangerous for pets: they cause hyperactivity, a racing heart, high temperature and seizures, sometimes within an hour.Highly toxic
• AntifreezeAntifreeze tastes sweet and a few teaspoons can cause fatal kidney failure. It is an emergency even if your pet seems well…Highly toxic
• AspirinAspirin can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding in dogs, and cats break it down so slowly that a normal human dose can…Highly toxic
• Blue-green algaeSome blooms of blue-green algae in lakes, ponds and slow rivers produce toxins that can kill a dog within hours. Dogs are…Highly toxic
• Button batteriesA swallowed button battery can burn through the gullet or stomach within hours. Chewed ordinary batteries leak alkaline or acidic material that…Highly toxic
• Cold and flu decongestantsDecongestants act as stimulants in pets, causing agitation, a racing heart, high blood pressure and seizures. Many cold remedies also contain paracetamol…Highly toxic
• Essential oilsConcentrated essential oils can poison pets through the skin, by licking or when inhaled. Cats are especially vulnerable because they can’t break…Highly toxic
• IbuprofenIbuprofen is one of the most common pet poisonings. It causes stomach ulcers and kidney damage in dogs and cats, and cats…Highly toxic
• MothballsMothballs are toxic to pets. Naphthalene balls damage red blood cells and the liver; paradichlorobenzene causes tremors and vomiting. Cats are the…Highly toxic
• NaproxenNaproxen is far more dangerous to pets than to people. Dogs clear it very slowly, so a single tablet can cause stomach…Highly toxic
• NicotineNicotine acts fast: vomiting, drooling and a racing heart can start within 15 minutes. E-liquid and patches are the most dangerous. Treat…Highly toxic
• ParacetamolParacetamol is deadly to cats — part of one tablet can kill a cat by damaging its red blood cells. In dogs,…Highly toxic
• Permethrin flea treatmentsPermethrin is used in some dog flea and tick products and is highly toxic to cats. Putting a dog spot-on on a…Highly toxic
• Rat and mouse poisonMost rat baits stop blood from clotting. Signs are delayed for several days, so treat any possible exposure as an emergency —…Highly toxic
• Slug pelletsMetaldehyde slug pellets cause severe tremors and seizures within an hour or two. It is an emergency. Some pellets use iron phosphate…Highly toxic
• Tea tree oilConcentrated tea tree oil is toxic to cats and dogs, even when put on the skin. Cats are most sensitive. Never use…Highly toxic
• Vitamin D supplementsHigh-strength vitamin D supplements, some rat baits and psoriasis creams raise calcium to dangerous levels and cause kidney failure. Signs appear after…Highly toxic
• AntidepressantsHuman antidepressants can cause serotonin syndrome in pets: agitation, tremors, a racing heart and high temperature. Cats seem to like the taste…Toxic
• AntihistaminesVets sometimes prescribe antihistamines for pets, but an overdose can cause agitation, a racing heart and seizures. Combination products with a decongestant…Toxic
• BleachDiluted household bleach usually causes mouth and stomach irritation rather than serious poisoning. Concentrated products can burn the mouth and gullet. Don’t…Toxic
• CannabisCannabis poisoning is increasingly common, usually from edibles. Pets become wobbly and dribble urine; most recover with care, but edibles may also…Toxic
• Cocoa bean mulchCocoa shell mulch smells like chocolate and contains the same toxins. Dogs that eat it can get chocolate poisoning — vomiting, restlessness,…Toxic
• Coins and zincSome coins, including US pennies minted after 1982, contain a lot of zinc. In the stomach, acid releases it, destroying red blood…Toxic
• Expanding gluePolyurethane glues expand in the warm, moist stomach into a hard mass that can block the gut. A small amount swallowed can…Toxic
• Hand warmersSingle-use, air-activated hand warmers contain iron powder. A dog that chews one can get mouth irritation and, from larger amounts, iron poisoning.…Toxic
• Homemade play doughHomemade play dough and salt-dough decorations are packed with salt. A dog that eats a ball of dough can develop salt poisoning,…Toxic
• Laundry detergent podsBiting a detergent pod releases concentrated soap under pressure. It causes drooling, vomiting and mouth irritation, and can cause breathing problems if…Toxic
• Mouldy food and compostMouldy food from bins or compost heaps can contain toxins that cause severe tremors and seizures in dogs within an hour or…Toxic
• Rock salt and de-icersDe-icing salts irritate paws and, if licked off or eaten, can cause vomiting and dangerous salt poisoning. Wipe paws after winter walks.Toxic
• Sleeping pillsSleeping pills and anti-anxiety drugs can make pets very drowsy and wobbly — or, surprisingly often, agitated and hyperactive. Large amounts can…Toxic
• ToadsToads secrete toxins from glands in their skin. In the UK and much of Europe, licking a common toad usually causes dramatic…Toxic
• Weed killerMost garden weed killers cause vomiting and drooling if pets lick wet product or drink from the bottle. Some products, such as…Toxic

More lists

• Low-shedding dog breeds
• Dog breeds for flats and small homes
• The best dog breeds for families with children
• Easy-to-train dog breeds
• Low-maintenance cat breeds
• Cat breeds that are good with children
• Fruits dogs can eat (and which to avoid)
• Vegetables dogs can eat
• Human foods that are toxic to dogs
• Human foods that are toxic to cats
• Human foods cats can eat
• Pet emergencies: signs that mean go to a vet now
• Pet-safe houseplants
• Plants that are toxic to cats
• Plants that are toxic to dogs

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