Insecticide Toxicity in Cats

Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 10/01/2016Updated: 08/11/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Insecticide Toxicity in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Insecticide Toxicity?

Several common household insecticides are toxic to cats. Many of the products you use on your lawn or to treat fleas on your dog can be dangerous, or even lethal, to cats. Lawn and garden insecticides can be introduced into your cat's body through his paws when he walks on a newly treated lawn, or from grooming afterward. Many pet owners also bring these chemicals indoors on their shoes after walking on treated grass. Handling your cat after applying a permethrin-based flea treatment on your dog can also harm your cat. If you think your cat has symptoms associated with insecticide toxicity, see your veterinarian at once, as his condition could deteriorate rapidly. 

Youtube Play

Insecticide Toxicity Average Cost

From 349 quotes ranging from $200 - $4,000

Average Cost

$600

Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background

Symptoms of Insecticide Toxicity in Cats

While all cats act differently when sick, here are some signs and symptoms that may be exhibit if a cat has been exposed to toxic chemicals:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Overall weakness
  • Excessive salivation
  • Unsteadiness while walking
  • Sudden collapse
  • Labored breathing
  • Eye tearing
  • Dilated pupils
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Lack of coordination
  • Twitching
  • Lethargy
  • Head tilt
  • Loss of appetite
  • Disorientation

Causes of Insecticide Toxicity in Cats

You must take special care to prevent you cat ingesting or coming into contact with lawn pesticides, household chemicals, and flea treatments for dogs. Some common causes of insecticide toxicity in cats are:

  • Poisoning after walking on treated lawn grass
  • Contact with other household pets after flea treatment
  • Handling after treating other pets with insecticides
  • An owner accidentally applying a flea treatment or collar meant for dogs
  • Bringing lawn chemicals inside on shoes
  • Accidental ingestion

Diagnosis of Insecticide Toxicity in Cats

Your veterinarian will need to examine your cat to determine if he has symptoms associated with insecticide toxicity. Before he examines your cat, he will ask you an important series of questions about your cat's health history. During this time, provide as much information as you can such as when symptoms first appeared, substances your cat may have been exposed to, and any previously diagnosed medical conditions your cat may have. 

Your doctor will also record your cat's weight, temperature, respiration rate and heart rate and record it for future reference. He will then examine your cat for signs of poisoning. In many cases, doctors take a sample of blood for analysis to determine the type of poison your cat was exposed to. He may also perform a urinalysis to determine if your cat's kidneys are functioning normally. 

Treatment of Insecticide Toxicity in Cats

Your doctor will treat your cat for poisoning based on his symptoms and the cause of poisoning. If you cat is critically ill, your veterinarian will insert an IV for fluid and medication. He will also admit him to the hospital for monitoring if necessary. Cats that are having seizures or tremors may be treated with diazepam or phenobarbital. It may be necessary to treat other conditions that arise during treatment. Some cats develop medical conditions secondary to poisoning, such as liver failure, kidney problems, encephalitis, hypoglycemia, and anemia. 

Petted logo

Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Get a quote

background

Recovery of Insecticide Toxicity in Cats

The outlook for cats diagnosed with insecticide toxicity depends on the severity of symptoms, the amount of insecticide they were exposed to and the occurrence of any internal damage. In severe cases, cats that do not receive treatment quickly die in just a few hours after exposure. Some cats may have long term disabilities after insecticide toxicity. However, many cats recover if they are taken to their veterinarian promptly and treated. When it comes to insecticide poisoning, time is of the essence. 

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent accidental chemical exposure in cats. You must be sure to take a few precautions to keep your cat healthy. If you have lawn insecticides or flea treatments, always store them in a safe place. Promptly clean any spills that occur before your cat can ingest or walk through the area. If you use insecticides on your lawn, don't let your cat outside for some time after, or only allow him to go in an untreated area of the lawn. It is generally safe to let your cat on the treated lawn after the chemicals have dried. If you treat your lawn, take off your shoes outside to avoid bringing insecticides indoors. If it is necessary to apply flea treatments to your cat, read the label before applying to be sure it is safe for cats. Never use canine flea treatments on your cat.

Insecticide Toxicity Average Cost

From 349 quotes ranging from $200 - $4,000

Average Cost

$600

arrow-up-icon

Top

Insecticide Toxicity Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

dog-breed-icon

Medium hair

dog-name-icon

Mickey

dog-age-icon

1 Year

thumbs-up-icon

1 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomit
My cat ate a little bit of pesticide form the grass and he started to vomit and wouldn’t eat for about 1 day I was going to take him to the vet but henbe started to eat and drink normally. He is eating and drinking but he still vomited I don’t know if he is okay or if he got poisoned.

July 29, 2018

1 Recommendations

It is always good to visit your Veterinarian when you suspect or know that your cat has consumed a pesticide, you should visit your Veterinarian and take any packaging with you to be on the safe side. Without examining Mickey I cannot say for certain whether he is in the clear or not. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

July 30, 2018

Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon

Mixed breed

dog-name-icon

Gismoe

dog-age-icon

2 Years

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Limping
Lathargic
Unstable
Clumbsy
Bloated Stumach
I sprayed a barrier around the outside and inside of the house and my cat was following me around now he's lathargic and stumbleing when he walks around.he also seams to be babying his back right paw.

July 28, 2018

0 Recommendations

Generally insecticides are safe to use around pets as long as they don’t walk in the spray, inhale particles or lick the area whilst wet; once the area is dry it is safe for pets to be in and around the area (you didn’t mention any brand). If Gismoe is presenting with these symptoms you should take the product packaging and Gismoe to a Veterinarian for an examination immediately. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

July 28, 2018

Was this question and answer helpful?

Insecticide Toxicity Average Cost

From 349 quotes ranging from $200 - $4,000

Average Cost

$600

Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background
Need pet insurance?
Need pet insurance?

Learn more in the Wag! app

Five starsFive starsFive starsFive starsFive stars

43k+ reviews

Install


© 2024 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.