JUNE IS ADOPT A CAT MONTHIn honor of our feline friends,

The AMC offers tips on how to keep your cat safe from potential toxins.

The Animal Medical Center

1. Houseplants

The Animal Medical Center

Don’t be tempted by these beautiful and fragrant lilies. One nibble of a flower or leaf could permanently damage your cat’s kidneys.

If you love cats, don’t keep any type of lily in your home..

2. HouseplantsAlthough this is not a true lily, the leaves, stems and flowers contain

oxalates that can be extremely irritating to your cat’s mouth. Chewing on this plant will cause your cat to stop eating, drool and have oral

pain.

This plant is a “Peace Lily.” Elephant ears (Caladium) and dumbcane (Dieffenbachia) also contain oxalates and are toxic to cats.

The Animal Medical Center

3. Alcohol Cats tend to be discriminating eaters and are less frequently seen in

The Animal Medical Center ER for ingestion of human foods toxic to cats. Inquisitive kittens are the exception to the rule and will taste test just about anything, including imbibing a lick or two of your evening

libation.

Due to their small size and lack of tolerance, alcohol can be especially toxic to cats.

The Animal Medical Center

4. InsecticidesNo one wants disgusting fleas and ticks on their pets. Controlling fleas

and ticks keeps your cat comfortable and healthy. But use only products approved for use in cats on your favorite feline.

This is a cat flea. NEVER use dog flea and tick products on your cat, as they can be toxic.

The Animal Medical Center

5. Human MedicationsThe number one cause of calls to veterinary poison control centers is

because of ingestion of human medications by the family pet.

Acetaminophen is especially toxic in cats and can cause red blood cell damage, liver problems and severe facial swelling.

The Animal Medical Center

6. Phenol Containing Cleaning AgentsPhenol-based cleaning products are corrosive and if they come in

contact with delicate skin and mucous membranes, may cause irritation and chemical burns. Cats ingesting products containing

phenol drool, stop eating and can go into shock.

If your cat walks on a floor recently cleaned with Pine-Sol or other phenol containing product, they can inadvertently ingest the corrosive cleaner.

The Animal Medical Center

7. String, Cords, YarnCats love to play with string, cords, yarn and even dental floss. Keep them

safe and don’t allow unsupervised play with these dangerous items.

Strings and yarn may become lodged or entangled in a cat’s intestines. Recurrent or protracted vomiting can be a sign of intestinal obstruction and should provoke a visit to the veterinarian.

The Animal Medical Center

8. E-cigarettesThe popularity of this new form of “smoking” puts cats at risk for

nicotine toxicity. The nicotine contained in an e-cigarette is a highly concentrated form and ingestion can cause vomiting, tremors,

weakness and collapse.

Keep all nicotine products out of your cat’s reach.

9. Onions, Garlic, ScallionsGarlic may keep vampires away, but can send your cat to the animal

ER. Sulfur compounds in onions, garlic and scallions damage red blood cells, causing anemia and gastrointestinal upset. Dogs react

similarly to ingestion of these vegetables.

Don’t feed your cat foods containing onions, garlic or scallions.

The Animal Medical Center

10. GlowsticksGlow-in-the-dark jewelry and toys contain a liquid which is irritating to the eyes and mouths of cats. A curious cat may puncture the plastic sleeve containing

the oily substance and ingest it as they groom themselves.

The Animal Medical Center

Cat owners will notice drooling, gagging, pawing at the mouth and vomiting if their cat comes in contact with the contents of one of these popular toys.

Most Important of All!

REMEMBER: If you think your pet has ingested any of these items, don’t hesitate to seek out a

veterinarian’s advice. Early treatment can save your cat’s life!

The Animal Medical Center