Household hazards for cats
Cleaners, essential oils, antifreeze, and other products cats get into.
Antifreeze — a few licks can kill
Ethylene glycol tastes sweet. Kidney failure can start within hours. This is an emergency.
Antifreeze
DangerousNever — ethylene glycol can kill a cat after a few licks.
GarageRodenticide (rat poison)
DangerousNever — bait blocks and pellets are a common fatal exposure.
GarageTea tree oil
DangerousNever — concentrated melaleuca oil can cause severe neurologic signs in cats.
OilsLiquid potpourri
DangerousNever — cationic detergents and oils burn the mouth and can be systemic.
OilsMothballs
DangerousNever — naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene mothballs are toxic if eaten or chewed.
OtherPennies (zinc)
DangerousNever — post-1982 US pennies are mostly zinc and can destroy red blood cells.
OtherBatteries
DangerousNever — chewed batteries leak alkaline corrosive and can burn the esophagus.
OtherSnail and slug bait
DangerousDangerous — metaldehyde baits cause severe tremors and seizures.
GardenBleach
ToxicToxic — household bleach is a corrosive irritant, not a “tiny lick is fine” product.
CleanersPhenol cleaners
ToxicToxic — cats are unusually sensitive to phenols.
CleanersPine oil
ToxicToxic — pine-oil cleaners irritate the gut and can affect the nervous system.
CleanersAmmonia
ToxicToxic — ammonia fumes and liquid both irritate airways and mouths.
CleanersLaundry and dishwasher pods
ToxicToxic — concentrated detergent packets cause chemical burns if bitten.
CleanersFertilizer
ToxicToxic — NPK salts upset the gut; some products add iron or insecticides.
GardenCocoa mulch
ToxicToxic — theobromine, the same methylxanthine as chocolate.
GardenIce melt
ToxicToxic — chloride salts burn paws and guts; some mixes include glycols.
GarageEssential oils
ToxicToxic — concentrated oils are a poor match for feline liver chemistry.
OilsEucalyptus oil
ToxicToxic — eucalyptol can cause drooling, weakness, and breathing irritation.
OilsPeppermint oil
ToxicToxic — menthol oils upset the gut and can make cats wobbly.
OilsCitrus oils (d-limonene)
ToxicToxic — limonene and linalool are used in some “natural” cleaners and flea products.
OilsFebreze and air fresheners
CautionCaution — usually an irritant, not a classic systemic poison. Still keep sprays off fur.
OtherGlow sticks
CautionCaution — the glowing liquid is usually dibutyl phthalate, a terrible-tasting irritant.
Other