What to Do for a Cat That Ate Rat Poison

Cats who have eaten rat poison are common visitors in veterinary clinics. Usually, the cat has eaten a rat or mouse who has ingested the poison, but occasionally cats mistake poison pellets for food. Prevention is the best medicine--keep your cat indoors so they will not eat poison put out by the neighbors and do not use rat poison in your own home. If you suspect that your cat has ingested rat poison--if your cat has been seen near rat poison or near an animal that has died or sickened from rat poison--don't wait to act.

  1. If You Suspect Rat Poison

    • If you suspect your cat (or any other pet) has ingested rat poison, you need to get them to a veterinarian immediately. Symptoms of rodenticide toxicity include difficulty breathing, bruising or bleeding, lethargy, anorexia and pale gums. The cat may exhibit fever or diarrhea, vomiting or seizures. Do not "wait and see" if there is the possibility of the cat having ingested poison. Sometimes, symptoms will not present themselves until days later and by then it may be too late. These poisons are lethal and time is of the essence.

    What Your Vet Will Do

    • Your cat may undergo bloodwork to detect what type of rodenticide was ingested. Many rat poisons work by inhibiting vitamin K-1. This vitamin is critical for clotting blood. Decreasing vitamin K-1 causes internal bleeding and hemorrhaging in the lungs, heart, brain and other vital organs. For this type of poisoning, your vet will administer a dose of vitamin K-1 to your cat and you may need to give your cat K-1 orally for several weeks afterward. Your cat may have undergo a blood transfusion. Other rat poisons work by raising blood calcium levels. These high calcium levels are easily detected in bloodwork. Transfusions of healthy blood or low doses of furosemide may be used to remove calcium from the blood stream.