Fertilizer

Q: Is Fertilizer toxic to cats?

Toxic: Toxic — NPK salts upset the gut; some products add iron or insecticides. Bags of plant food, blood meal, and bone meal attract cats. Straight fertilizer usually causes vomiting and diarrhea. Products with added iron, herbicides, or insecticides are more serious. Cocoa mulch is a separate theobromine risk. Source: ASPCA.

Q: Is Cocoa mulch also safe for cats?

Toxic: Toxic — theobromine, the same methylxanthine as chocolate.

Toxic

Verdict

Toxic — NPK salts upset the gut; some products add iron or insecticides.

Toxic principle: nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium salts; some products add iron or insecticides

Also called: plant food, bone meal, blood meal, lawn fertilizer

Source: ASPCA · Verified 2026-08-13

If your cat ate this

Cats hide symptoms — don't wait and see. Even small amounts of certain substances can be fatal to a cat. Act fast.

1. Call your veterinarian immediately
US — National hotline: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 aspca.org(24/7, Consultation fee may apply.)
US — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee; also covers Canada.)
GB — National hotline: Animal PoisonLine 01202 509 000 animalpoisonline.co.uk(24/7, £35 per call (8am–8pm weekdays), £45 at other times.)
AU — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 1300 869 738 animalpoisons.com.au(24/7)
NZ — National hotline: Animal Poisons Helpline 0800 869 738 poisons.co.nz(11am–7pm NZ time (currently being extended), Charges apply.)
CA — National hotline: Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 petpoisonhelpline.com(24/7, $89 per incident fee.)

Verified 2026-08-06

Verdict

Bags of plant food, blood meal, and bone meal attract cats. Straight fertilizer usually causes vomiting and diarrhea. Products with added iron, herbicides, or insecticides are more serious. Cocoa mulch is a separate theobromine risk.