Garden and pest control
Is rat and mouse poison toxic to cats and dogs?
Also sold as rodenticide, anticoagulant bait, brodifacoum, bromadiolone
Cats
Highly toxicDogs
Highly toxicMost rat baits stop blood from clotting. Signs are delayed for several days, so treat any possible exposure as an emergency — an antidote (vitamin K1) works if started early.
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.
- Take the packet or a photo of the label.
Signs to watch for
- No signs for 3–5 days
- Then weakness and pale gums
- Coughing or difficult breathing
- Bleeding from gums, nose or in urine or stools
- Swollen joints or bruising
How much is dangerous
Depends on the product and strength. Keep the packet: the active ingredient decides the treatment.
Keeping it safe
- Use tamper-resistant bait boxes out of pets’ reach
- Consider traps instead of poison
- Pets can be poisoned by eating poisoned rodents too
The details
Because anticoagulant poisons work by using up the body’s vitamin K, bleeding starts days later. By then internal bleeding into the chest or belly can be severe. If treated promptly with vitamin K1 tablets for several weeks, most pets recover fully.
Questions owners ask
Is rat and mouse poison toxic to cats?
Yes — highly toxic.
Is rat and mouse poison toxic to dogs?
Yes — highly toxic.
How much is dangerous?
Depends on the product and strength. Keep the packet: the active ingredient decides the treatment.
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. Take the packet or a photo of the label.
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