What is Poisonous to Cats? [10+ Food, Household Items, & More]

What is poisonous to cats? Pet parents need to watch out for various household hazards, especially since cats are naturally curious.

This list by Sploot Vets talks about some of the most common household chemicals to keep away from your feline companion. 

I. Foods Poisonous to Cats

1. Are Candies & Sweets Poisonous to Cats?

Cats do NOT have taste receptors for sweetness. This may protect some cats from being too curious about candy. However, other cats may be drawn to sweets due to their fat content or scent. Thus, cat parents need to keep candy out of reach, especially if the candy has chocolate. Chocolate is toxic to cats, causing vomiting, rapid heart rate, seizures, and even death if ingested.

→ Learn more - What to Do If Your Dog or Cat Eats Halloween Candy [Ask a Vet]

2. Are Spices Poisonous to Cats?

In our article about the healthiest human foods for cats, we talked about how certain food items can be prepared as treats as long as they are unseasoned. This is because cats generally do NOT benefit from spices. Moreover, some spices are toxic to cats, such as the following: 

• Onions, leeks, garlic –Belonging to the ‘Allium’ genus, these contain N-propyl disulfides and thiosulfates, which destroy a cat’s red blood cells, causing anemia.
• Nutmeg – Nutmeg’s myristicin content can cause high blood pressure and nervous system issues in cats.

3. Are Drinks Poisonous to Cats?

Cats generally do NOT benefit from sweet drinks. Additionally, some drinks are poisonous to cats and should be kept away from them. These include:

• Coffee or Tea – These drinks contain caffeine, which can cause an increased heart rate, tremors, seizures, and even death.
• Alcohol – Even small amounts of alcohol ingestion can lead to vomiting, disorientation, difficulty breathing, coma, or fatality in cats. 

4. What Other Foods Are Poisonous to Cats?

Other foods that are considered poisonous to cats include the following:

• Raw dough – If eaten by a cat, the yeast will ferment in their stomach, producing alcohol and leading to alcohol poisoning—along with severe bloating due to gas formation.
• Grapes and raisins – If ingested, these can cause kidney failure in cats.

→ Learn more - Safe vs Toxic Foods For Cats - Can My Cat Eat... [Ask a Vet]

II. Poisonous Plants for Cats

1. Are Houseplants Poisonous to Cats?

Ingestion of any plant material can cause digestive upset in cats. However, there are some plants that are poisonous to cats and produce more severe symptoms. Some of the most dangerous ones include:

• Lilies – these plants are highly toxic to cats—and cats are also attracted to their scent, making these plants extremely dangerous.
• Hyacinths – If ingested by cats, hyacinths can cause tremors, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing. The blue hue may also be particularly attractive to cats since this is a color they can sense strongly. 
• Sago Palm – This plant is highly toxic to cats—especially the brightly colored seeds that fall out occasionally. Ingestion can lead to neurological issues as well as liver damage if left untreated.

→ Learn more - 12 Toxic Plants for Cats [Vet-Approved]

Note: Before getting a new plant, we recommend also checking the extensive databases of toxic vs safe plants for cats provided by the ASPCA and Pet Poison Helpline.

2. Is Marijuana Poisonous to Cats?

Though marijuana poisoning is more common in dogs, it can also happen to cats. Marijuana is considered toxic to cats; however, the toxic dose is not yet clearly established. If cats ingest or inhale marijuana smoke, they can develop moderate to severe symptoms like loss of coordination, lethargy, seizures, and coma.

III. Medications Poisonous to Cats

Human medications are generally harmful or toxic to cats. This is why it’s always best to keep medications secure and only treat feline health issues with medications that are formulated for cats, prescribed by a trusted veterinarian. 

Here are some examples of human medications that are poisonous to cats:

• Over-the-Counter Medications – Medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and allergy meds for people (especially ones with decongestants) are toxic to cats. These can cause symptoms like liver damage, kidney failure, or seizures, depending on the medication and dose.
• ADD/ADHD Medications & Antidepressants – When ingested by cats, stimulants like Adderall cause seizures and heart problems. Antidepressants like Prozac can lead to serotonin syndrome, causing tremors and agitation.
• Blood Pressure Medications – Beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors can cause low heart rate, weakness, or kidney failure if accidentally ingested by cats.

IV. Household Chemicals Poisonous to Cats

1. Are Winter Chemicals Poisonous to Cats?

Among other winter safety tips for cats, it is important to keep them away from harmful winter chemicals such as the following:

• Antifreeze – Unfortunately, antifreeze is toxic and attractive to cats as well, making it one of the most dangerous winter chemicals for cats. Ingestion can lead to vomiting, seizures, and difficulty breathing.

• Ice Melting Products – Indoor cats are not at risk of accidentally eating or licking ice melting products unless it is improperly stored or if the cat escapes. Ice melt poisoning in cats can lead to vomiting, dehydration, and neurological issues.

→ Learn more - 9 Essential Winter Safety Tips for Dogs & Cats

2. Are Gardening Supplies Poisonous to Cats?

Gardening chemicals can be poisonous to cats. A few common examples include fertilizers, insecticides, and cocoa mulch. If accidentally ingested by cats, these gardening chemicals can produce symptoms like diarrhea, lethargy, neurological issues, and liver damage, depending on the chemical ingested.

3. What Other Chemicals Are Poisonous to Cats?

Household cleaners like bleach, ammonia, and phenol-based disinfectants are poisonous to cats. If a cat accidentally consumes these household cleaners, it can lead to vomiting, stomach burns, and neurological issues, depending on the type of cleaner that the cat was exposed to.

In addition, rat poison or rodenticide is also highly poisonous to cats, potentially leading to symptoms like internal bleeding, severe neurological issues, and liver damage. It is also important to note that cats can get secondary poisoning if they ingest a poisoned rodent.

V. What to Do In Case of Cat Poisoning

If you think you may be faced with cat poisoning, you can take the following steps:

1. Call a helpline for prompt assistance. You can try the Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. 
2. In case of extended wait times in either or both helplines, seek guidance from an urgent care veterinarian or emergency vet for faster assistance.
3. When bringing your cat to an emergency vet, bring along the packaging of the chemical that caused poisoning—especially if it’s an insecticide, rodenticide, or commercial compound. This helps speed up diagnosis and treatment, which can help produce better health outcomes.

Emergency Vet Services for Cats at Sploot Veterinary Care

Sploot Vets provides all-in-one vet care for cats, including urgent care and emergency vet services. Our conveniently located Denver, Chicago and Colorado Springs vet clinics are open 365 days a year with extended vet clinic hours. 

Looking for urgent care or emergency vet care? Call our team, available daily, from 6 am to 10 pm (MST).