Cat Food Poisoning Signs

Using commercial brands of cat food is typically safe; however several incidents, such as the 2007 recall of melamine-contaminated food, have shown that it pays to be vigilant no matter what you feed your cat. Recognizing the signs of cat food poisoning early can save your cat's life. Keep in mind that signs will vary depending on what type of poison the cat food contains.

  1. Lack of Appetite

    • Lack of appetite is one of many symptoms a poisoned cat may display. During the melamine contamination of 2007, cats developed kidney problems, which can lead to appetite loss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that decreased appetite may also indicate poisoning from Salmonella. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalled several brands of pet food in 2008 and 2009 for Salmonella typhimurium contamination. Contamination from aspirin may also cause your pet to stop eating. Poor appetite can indicate other serious illnesses, so take your cat to a veterinarian if it displays this symptom.

    Weakness

    • A cat that displays signs of weakness, listlessness or fatigue may have eaten bad or contaminated food. The FDA listed those symptoms as key behaviors to watch for during the 2007 melamine pet food recalls. Muscle weakness is also a sign of Clostridium botulinum poisoning, or botulism. Botulinum, a toxin that can be fatal or cause paralysis, caused a 2007 recall of certain brands of dog food. While this recall didn't affect cats, it does highlight the need to monitor your cat's behavior for any sudden changes. Acetaminophen, caffeine, theophylline, theobromine and pesticide poisoning also cause feline weakness.

    Digestive Ailments

    • Vomiting, diarrhea and gastrointestinal irritation may indicate cat food poisoning. Vomiting occurs with the ingestion of melamine, aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, pesticides and rodenticides. In some cases, such as aspirin poisoning, vomit may be bloody. Many of the same poisons that cause vomiting also cause diarrhea, which is sometimes streaked with blood or mucus.

    Other Indicators

    • Because so many poisons exist, a number of other signs may indicate a problem. Watch for fever, excessive salivation, difficulty breathing, problems standing or walking, anemia, gum discoloration, bloody urine, a swollen face and tremors. A cat that has eaten contaminated food may stagger, have problems holding up its head, allow its tongue to hang out of its mouth or have seizures. If your cat displays any of these indicators, it needs urgent veterinary care.