What should you do if a cat eats mouse poison? - briefly
Call a veterinarian or an emergency animal poison‑control hotline immediately. Do not induce vomiting or give any treatment unless specifically instructed by a professional.
What should you do if a cat eats mouse poison? - in detail
If a cat has swallowed rodent bait, act without delay.
First, determine the product’s active ingredient—common agents include anticoagulants (e.g., brodifacoum, bromadiolone), neurotoxins (e.g., bromethalin), or metal phosphides. The label, packaging, or a photograph can aid identification.
Immediately remove the animal from the contaminated area to prevent further ingestion. If the bait remains accessible, secure it to eliminate additional risk.
Contact a veterinarian or an emergency animal poison control center (such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Hotline) as soon as possible. Provide details about the poison type, estimated amount consumed, and the cat’s weight and age. Follow their instructions precisely.
Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a professional. Some toxins, especially corrosive or neurotoxic agents, can cause additional damage when expelled.
If veterinary guidance permits, administer activated charcoal at a dose of 1 g per kilogram of body weight to bind residual toxin in the gastrointestinal tract. Use only the formulation recommended by the clinician.
Monitor the cat closely for clinical signs, which may include:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Bleeding from gums, nose, or internal sites (anticoagulant exposure)
- Seizures, tremors, or ataxia (neurotoxic exposure)
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite
Record the onset, frequency, and severity of any symptoms and report them to the veterinarian promptly.
Supportive care may involve intravenous fluids to maintain hydration, blood transfusions for severe coagulopathy, vitamin K1 therapy for anticoagulant poisoning, or seizure control medications for neurotoxin exposure. All treatments must be administered under veterinary supervision.
After stabilization, discuss preventive measures with the veterinarian: store all rodenticides in locked containers, use bait stations inaccessible to pets, and consider alternative pest control methods that pose no risk to animals.
Prompt professional intervention, accurate toxin identification, and vigilant observation are essential to improve the prognosis for a cat that has ingested mouse poison.