Household products
Is button batteries toxic to cats and dogs?
Also sold as coin cell batteries, lithium batteries, hearing-aid batteries
Cats
Highly toxicDogs
Highly toxicA swallowed button battery can burn through the gullet or stomach within hours. Chewed ordinary batteries leak alkaline or acidic material that burns the mouth. Go to a vet straight away.
By Maya HartIf your pet got into it
- Go to a vet now.
- Do not make your pet sick — the battery can burn again on the way back up.
- If a battery was chewed, rinse the mouth with water for 10–15 minutes.
Signs to watch for
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Refusing food
- Vomiting
- Painful swallowing
How much is dangerous
A single button battery is an emergency.
Keeping it safe
- Store spare batteries sealed and out of reach
- Keep remote controls and small devices secure
The details
Button batteries create an electrical current when they touch moist tissue, and the damage can continue after the battery is removed. An X-ray shows where it is, and it is usually removed with an endoscope.
Questions owners ask
Is button batteries toxic to cats?
Yes — highly toxic.
Is button batteries toxic to dogs?
Yes — highly toxic.
How much is dangerous?
A single button battery is an emergency.
What should I do if my pet got into it?
Go to a vet now. Do not make your pet sick — the battery can burn again on the way back up. If a battery was chewed, rinse the mouth with water for 10–15 minutes.
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