Cats are curious animals when they see food, they will sniff a variety of foods and choose those that they think smells good.
Cats who are overconfident will dare to approach and sniff the food that is being eaten by their mistress. Therefore it is not surprising that cats are sometimes referred to as omnivorous animals.
Because of this habit, sometimes cats who are too curious often eat the wrong thing and end up getting poisoned.
The usual media of poison eaten is different, sometimes in the form of animals, or even in the form of ordinary food that has been stale or can also be food that has been given rat poison.
Characteristics of Poisoned Cats
Like humans, cats also have symptoms as a sign that their bodies are entering harmful substances. Here are some signs of a poisoned cat:
1. Vomiting
The earliest symptom commonly experienced by a cat that has ingested harmful substances is vomiting.
Vomiting is the body’s natural process of removing substances or foreign objects that have entered the body.
But keep in mind, not all symptoms of vomiting are symptoms of poisoning. Because even young pregnant cats will sometimes experience vomiting within a few days.
2. Diarrhea
The second symptom that usually appears in this poisoning case is that a cat may experience diarrhea shortly after eating poisoned food.
If your cat has symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. Then the possibility of poisoning is very large.
It’s best to take it to the doctor and trace what food the cat last ate. In order to find the best solution for treating poisoned cats.
3. Shortness of Breath
In some cases, cats will also experience shortness of breath. This may be caused by toxic substances that work to damage the lungs.
When the cat is seen experiencing shortness of breath, you should take it to the vet as soon as possible, so that it gets help quickly. So it can be saved.
4. Profuse Drooling
Some other symptoms commonly experienced by cats are the amount of saliva that is large and much different in amount when compared to when it is healthy.
Unlimited salivation is usually triggered by toxins caused by food. Therefore, remember what food the cat last ate.
5. Fainting
If this food poisoning is at a fairly severe level. Then it can make your cat faint. Try to wake it up, if it is sleeping it is sure to move when awakened.
But if the cat is unconscious, when his body is shaken he will remain silent and motionless to respond to what you are doing to him.
6. Weakened Cat
If the cat has experienced diarrhea and vomiting, the cat will automatically look weak. But even if it doesn’t experience all the symptoms. If it is true poisoning, then it is certain that the condition will weaken. Because of the damage to some organs, so the body is weakened.
7. Gums And Tongue Bluish
If this symptom occurs, it is certain. Because humans will show this sign when poisoned.
Signs like this include the final and leading signs. Which is
If you encounter a position like this immediately save your cat before it’s too late. If possible take it to the vet immediately. In order to quickly give nutrition and medicine.
How to Treat Poisoned Cats
How to treat poisoned cat can be done in the following ways:
1. Recognize the Cause
Obviously, the first thing you have to do is recognize the source of the poison that enters the cat. Whether food, animal, or from the air.
After that identify what toxins have been consumed by the cat. For example, if from animals it is usually caused by eating frogs. If from the food it can be due to eating expired / stale food or because the food contains rat poison. And if caused by air, it is usually caused by burning something or in the form of insect poison.
Track the cat’s actions a few hours/minutes before the poisoning to know what the problem is.
2. Give Milk, Egg Yolk, or Coconut Water
First aid if you can’t get to a doctor quickly is to give the cat milk. Or you can use coconut water to neutralize the poison that has already entered the body.
You can use a dropper if you think the cat doesn’t want to drink it due to weakness or dizziness due to poison.
3. Guide To Make Cat Vomit
There are 2 kinds of poisons that enter the cat’s body. That is a poison that must be vomited and poison that should not be vomited.
Toxins that do not need to be vomited mean that if vomited can make the cat’s condition worse. Examples of acidic and alkaline poisons that do not need to be vomited.
If the poison needs to be vomited means that if it is not vomited it can be dangerous. How to induce vomiting includes 3% hydrogen peroxide, where the dose is about 2 to 4 ml per kilo weight of the cat.
4. Put the Cat in an Air Circulation Place
This is so that the cat always gets a continuous supply of fresh air. Thus it can help the cat’s recovery process after being exposed to poison.
Especially if the cat is exposed to air toxins, then the solution is that the cat must be kept away from the poison and immediately put the cat in a place with lots of fresh air.
5. Take to the Vet
The safest thing is to take the cat to the vet. In order to be handled by experts. In addition, there are many kinds of drugs intended for various conditions of cats.
