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What is toxic to cats?

Cats face unique dangers that dogs do not. The most important: any lily in the home is a potential fatality. Acetaminophen kills cats that dogs survive. Essential oil diffusers cause liver damage. This page covers what matters most.

CRITICAL: All lilies are fatal to cats

Every part of true lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) - flowers, leaves, stem, water in the vase, and even pollen that falls on fur and is groomed off - can cause acute kidney failure in cats. There is no antidote. Treatment must begin within hours to have any chance of success.

Deadly lily species (not exhaustive):

! Tiger lily
! Easter lily
! Asiatic lily
! Stargazer lily
! Day lily (Hemerocallis)
! Rubrum lily
! Japanese show lily

Less toxic lilies (still call your vet):

- Peace lily - causes mouth irritation
- Calla lily - causes mouth irritation
- Lily of the valley - causes cardiac problems

Full lily toxicity guide

Top cat toxins by severity

Lily (all Lilium / Hemerocallis species)

EMERGENCY

Even pollen on coat groomed off can cause kidney failure. Affects only cats, not dogs.

Plant

Acetaminophen (Paracetamol / Tylenol)

EMERGENCY

One regular tablet is potentially fatal. Cats lack the enzyme to metabolise it.

Medication

Ibuprofen

EMERGENCY

Cats are more sensitive than dogs. Kidney failure follows rapidly.

Medication

Onion / Garlic

TOXIC

Cats more sensitive than dogs. Red blood cell damage causes severe anaemia.

Food

Antifreeze

EMERGENCY

Treatment window for cats is 1-2 hours vs 3 hours for dogs. Fatal if untreated.

Household

Xylitol

CAUTION

Less acute risk than in dogs, but research is limited. Caution warranted.

Food

Aspirin

TOXIC

Cats take 40 hours to metabolise one tablet. Repeated exposure is fatal.

Medication

Rat Poison

EMERGENCY

Relay toxicosis - cats can be poisoned by eating poisoned rodents.

Household

Grapes / Raisins

TOXIC

Cats rarely eat these, but same kidney damage risk as dogs.

Food

Sago Palm

EMERGENCY

Acute liver failure. All parts toxic, seeds most dangerous.

Plant

Why cats are different from dogs

Cats metabolise substances very differently from dogs - and very differently from humans. Several toxins that dogs handle with veterinary care are fatal to cats in much smaller amounts.

Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)+

Dogs have a safety margin with acetaminophen that cats do not. Cats lack the liver enzyme (glucuronyl transferase) needed to safely metabolise it. A single 500mg tablet can be fatal. Never give a cat any human pain reliever without veterinary guidance.

Essential oils+

Cats groom themselves constantly, meaning any essential oil on fur is ingested. Oils concentrated in diffusers fall on surfaces cats walk on. Tea tree, pennyroyal, clove, and cinnamon oils are hepatotoxic to cats. Even many 'pet-safe' diffuser blends contain problematic concentrations.

Onion and garlic+

Cats are more sensitive than dogs due to differences in their haemoglobin structure. A much lower dose relative to body weight is required to cause haemolytic anaemia. Baby food sometimes contains onion powder as a flavour enhancer - check the label before offering to cats.

Antifreeze treatment window+

Dogs have a 3-4 hour window after antifreeze (ethylene glycol) ingestion for effective treatment. Cats have 1-2 hours. This is because cats metabolise the parent compound to its toxic metabolites faster. Do not wait.

Browse cat toxins by category

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Not veterinary advice. If your pet has ingested any potentially toxic substance, call ASPCA Poison Control 888-426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline 855-764-7661 immediately. For emergencies, contact your veterinarian. This site is educational only.