Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

10 things toxic to cats you probably have in your home

Mary Johnson
By

Decorating your home creates a space that reflects your personal aesthetic, and nothing brings a touch of the outdoors into your home like a fresh bouquet of flowers. But did you know that some of your favorite flowers might be on the list of things that are toxic to cats? Poisoning is one of the most common reasons for an emergency trip to the vet, and flowers aren’t the only potential culprit lurking around the house. It can be difficult for pet parents to know what is harmful to cats, so we’ve compiled a list of 10 things toxic to cats you probably have in your home. These are the everyday household items you should know about if you have cats.

A gray and white kitten sniffing a flower in the grass.

1. Alcohol

Kicking back with a cold one is a great way to relax after a hard day at work, but make sure your cat doesn’t join in. Alcohol contains ethanol, which depresses the central nervous system. If your cat ingests a small amount of alcohol, you can expect her to lose coordination and become lethargic. In larger amounts, consumption may lead to respiratory failure, and it can even be fatal.

Related Videos

2. Alliums

Chives, garlic, leeks, and onions are members of the allium family, dubbed the “fearsome foursome.” Alliums contain disulfides and thiosulfates, and while they may punch up the flavor of your favorite dishes, they’re also toxic to cats (and dogs). In addition to causing gastroenteritis, consuming garlic and onions causes your cat’s red blood cells to rupture. Alliums dilate blood vessels, leading to low blood pressure, circulatory problems, and impaired oxygen delivery.

3. Aloe

Aloe is often found in pet shampoos, but it contains saponins and anthraquinones, which are toxic to cats if they ingest them. It can cause many health problems, including depression, anorexia, lethargy, diarrhea, tremors, and kidney problems. Make sure you rinse your pet thoroughly if you use a shampoo that contains aloe.

4. Bread dough

Is anything better than freshly baked bread? Probably not, but you should be careful during your baking frenzy if you have cats. Raw yeast, the agent responsible for fermenting the carbohydrates in bread dough, also creates ethanol and carbon dioxide. If your cat eats raw dough, it will continue to expand in her stomach, leaving her bloated. Worse, consuming raw bread dough is the same as alcohol poisoning in cats, which can be fatal.

5. Caffeine

While your feline friend probably loves the occasional scrap of chicken, many human foods are actually toxic to cats. Caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and soda — especially those containing the artificial sweetener xylitol — are toxic to cats. Caffeine can damage your cat’s heart, kidneys, lungs, and central nervous system. If ingested in large enough quantities, caffeine consumption results in death.

6. Chocolate

Even white chocolate can be toxic to your feline friend, but the most dangerous kinds are dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate. Although it’s one of our favorite treats, chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause seizures, tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, and even death if your cat consumes enough of it.

A gray cat sitting outside on a staircase surrounded by plants.

7. Flowers

We all love the look of fresh flowers, but because cats will chew on plants, some flowers should be avoided at all costs. Don’t decorate your home with flowers until you know they’re cat-friendly. For example, lilies, daffodils, azaleas, chrysanthemums, daisies, hyacinths, and tulips should all be avoided.

8. Household cleaning products

You want your house to stay spotlessly clean, but be careful if you have cats underfoot. Common household cleaning products like bleach, laundry detergent, and bathroom cleansers can seriously harm your fur baby if she walks through them and licks her paws. Excessive drooling, vomiting, respiratory issues, and chemical burns are all known side effects. Look for pet-friendly formulas, or keep your cat in another room until those freshly cleaned surfaces have dried off.

9. Human medications

While we all rely on painkillers to get through our day when a headache hits, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are all toxic to your cat. Similarly, antidepressants, sleep aids, beta-blockers, cholesterol medications, and more can make your cat seriously ill — or worse. Keep your bottles tightly closed and unreachable for your cat’s safety.

A white cat drinking from a teacup.

10. Grapes (and raisins)

We don’t yet understand what makes grapes and raisins toxic to cats, but we do know the devastating consequences of ingestion. Grapes and raisins cause acute kidney failure in cats within 24 hours of consumption. The symptoms of grape and raisin poisoning include diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy. If your feline friend is left untreated, her kidneys may shut down completely.

Cats get into everything, and it’s our job as pet parents to keep them safe from harm. But some of the items we have lying around our homes are potentially dangerous. When in doubt, research the toxicity of foods, household cleaning products, and medications. Keep toxic substances well out of reach, and take your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect poisoning.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
9 Boston terrier facts to know before you bring one into your life
Important facts about the adorable Boston terrier breed
Boston terrier on a pink leash in grass

Boston terriers are always dressed for a black-tie affair. The breed’s tuxedo coat is one of many features that have endeared. Their short muzzles, compact bodies, and oversized eyes make this terrier breed absolutely adorable. Come winter, you can find Bostons strutting their stuff in cute sweaters to keep them warm underneath their short coats.

Of course, looks aren’t everything. Boston terriers are also known for their curious and loving personalities, among other common traits. Though no two dogs are exactly alike — even ones in the same breed or litter — understanding common breed characteristics is a great launching point to researching what pup is best for your home and lifestyle. If a Boston terrier is on your list, look no further. We dog up the details on this lovable breed.

Read more
Does your cat have ear mites? How to tell (and what you can do about it)
Are your cat's ears dirty or does she have ear mites? What to know
A close-up shot of a blue-eyed white cat

Did you know your cat's ears are truly astounding? Not only can your fur baby's ears help her detect prey using her whiskers -- also known as ear furnishings -- inside her ears, but they can detect frequencies as high as 64,000 Hz. For comparison, humans can only detect frequencies as high as around 20,000 Hz, which means your cat's hearing is a little more than three times better than yours.

Just like humans, cats are susceptible to developing ear infections and other ear-related issues. (Fortunately for our feline friends, instances of ear infections are relatively uncommon.) Unfortunately, ear mites are considered common -- and they're highly contagious. If you've been frantically searching "mites cat ears," or "dirty cat ears vs. ear mites," you're in the right place. Does your cat have ear mites? We'll teach you how to tell.

Read more
Why is my cat shedding so much? 3 surprising things that could be causing it
Every cat loses fur, but this is what to do when your cat sheds a lot
Woman grooming a cat on her lap using a grooming mitt

When you share your life with cats, you expect to deal with some shedding. There's always bound to be a bit of cat hair on your furniture and clothes, and this is especially true when your cat is actively shedding. Brushing your feline is a great way to eliminate dirt, dander, and dead hair from his coat. It also increases blood circulation and improves the skin's general condition. But if you notice your pet losing significantly more hair than usual, you should look for a deeper issue that could be causing the excess shedding.

Why is my cat shedding so much?
If you're wondering, "Why is my cat shedding so much?" -- then consider the following potential reasons. If you can identify a cause, you may be able to take some steps to reduce the shedding and minimize the amount of cat hair that ends up scattered around your house.

Read more