What should you do if a cat was poisoned by a mouse? - briefly
Contact a veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic right away and keep the cat calm and warm while transporting it. Do not induce vomiting or administer any medication without professional guidance.
What should you do if a cat was poisoned by a mouse? - in detail
If a cat has consumed a mouse that was contaminated with poison, act without delay. First, isolate the animal to prevent further exposure and keep it calm. Observe for signs such as drooling, vomiting, tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, or sudden lethargy. Record the time of ingestion and any visible symptoms, as this information will guide emergency treatment.
Next, contact a veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately. Provide details about the suspected toxin (type of rodenticide, if known), the amount the cat may have eaten, and the cat’s weight, age, and health status. Follow the professional’s instructions precisely; they may advise you to bring the cat to the clinic right away or to perform an at‑home intervention.
If instructed to induce vomiting and it is safe to do so (the cat is alert, not seizuring, and the ingestion occurred within 1–2 hours), use a 3 % hydrogen peroxide solution—administer 1 ml per kilogram of body weight using a syringe or eyedropper. Do not exceed two doses, and stop if the cat vomits. After vomiting, keep the cat upright and monitor for continued symptoms.
Transport the cat to the veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. Bring the mouse, any packaging of the poison, and a sample of the mouse’s stomach contents if available. The veterinarian may administer activated charcoal to bind remaining toxin, provide intravenous fluids, give anticonvulsants or antidotes specific to the rodenticide, and monitor vital signs continuously.
After emergency care, follow the veterinarian’s recommendations for home recovery: administer prescribed medications on schedule, ensure a quiet environment, provide fresh water, and observe for any delayed reactions. Schedule a follow‑up examination to assess organ function and confirm full recovery.
To reduce future risk, store all rodenticides in secure, tamper‑proof containers out of reach of pets, use bait stations that prevent non‑target animals from accessing the poison, and regularly inspect areas where mice may hide. Consider alternative pest‑control methods such as traps or humane exclusion techniques that do not involve toxic substances.