Rat Bait Poisoning (Rodenticide Toxicosis) in Cats

Key Takeaways

Rodent baits are commonly used for pest control and are similarly lethal to cats. Ingestion of any amount of rodent bait is an emergency and requires immediate veterinary care.

• Symptoms of rodent bait poisoning include vomiting, lethargy, seizures, muscle tremors, pale gums, and rapid breathing

• Diagnosis of rodent bait poisoning is difficult without a known history of ingestion

• When ingestion is observed, immediate veterinary care is indicated to get the cat to throw up as much of the poison as possible. There is no safe way to induce vomiting in a cat at home

• Specific treatment of rodent bait poisoning depends on the type of poison ingested

• Only anticoagulant-based poisons have an antidote available

• The prognosis for rodent bait poisoning depends largely on how much was consumed, what type of poison, and how quickly treatment is initiated after ingestion

A Closer Look: What is Rat Bait Poisoning in Cats?

Rodent poisons are commonly used in the spring and fall for controlling mouse and rat populations. Many rodent baits have appetizing flavorings or smells to encourage any animal passing by to eat them. Cats can also be exposed to the poisons when they consume a rodent that died from poison ingestion.

 The most common types of rodent poisons are:

• Anticoagulant poisons • Bromethalin-based poisons • Cholecalciferol-based poisons

Each of these poisons has a different mechanism of action, and must be treated in different ways for a successful outcome. Bringing in packaging or a sample of the ingested poison is helpful in determining appropriate treatment.

Risk Factors

Cats are notoriously picky eaters, so ingestion of rodent bait is uncommon. Some types of rodent poisons are also toxic when a dead rodent is consumed, which is an alternate route of exposure to rat bait in cats. 

As with any case of poisoning, the animal’s body weight defines the toxic dose, so small amounts of these poisons are considerably more toxic to cats than they are to large dogs. There is no safe or effective way to induce vomiting at home for a cat, so any known ingestion of a rodenticide is an emergency.

Any cat showing symptoms consistent with rodenticide poisoning like pale gums, rapid or labored breathing, abnormal bleeding, seizures, tremors, or difficulty walking needs emergency care.

Possible Causes

Rodenticide toxicosis is caused by exposure to pesticides used to control pests like rats and mice. The bait may be consumed directly or indirectly when a cat eats a dead rodent that has poison in its system at the time of death.

Main Symptoms

Specific symptoms associated with anticoagulant-based poisons include:

• Nosebleeds (epistaxis) • Coughing or vomiting up blood • Pale gums • Rapid breathing • Difficulty breathing

• Red to dark brown spots on the gums or skin

Bromethalin-based poisons cause neurologic signs, such as:

• Irregular gait (ataxia) • Hind limb paralysis • Muscle tremors • Seizures

Symptoms associated with cholecalciferol-based poison ingestion include:

• Excessive urination (polyuria) • Excessive drinking (polydipsia) • Diarrhea, which can include blood • Seizures

• Muscle tremors

Testing and Diagnosis

Diagnosis of rodent bait poisoning is not straightforward without a known exposure because a variety of conditions cause similar symptoms. Routine blood work may suggest  anticoagulant and cholecalciferol-based poisons, however there is no specific test for bromethalin poisoning. It is helpful to bring any packaging or samples of the bait that was consumed to help direct diagnosis and treatment, whenever possible. 

If there is a known exposure to a rodent poison, no diagnostic tests are required. Cats arriving to the veterinarian within 4 hours of poison ingestion have vomiting induced to remove the toxin before it is absorbed. There is no safe method to induce vomiting in cats at home. Cats that have ingested a poison require immediate veterinary care.

Steps to Recovery

After 4 hours have elapsed since exposure, it is too late to try to prevent absorption of the toxin into the bloodstream. Specific treatment depends on the type of poison. For all types of poisons, supportive care is necessary to reduce organ damage. These treatments may include:

• IV fluids • Supplemental oxygen • Blood transfusions • Anti-seizure medications • Diuretics • Muscle relaxants

Anticoagulant-based poisons are the only rodenticide poisons that have a specific antidote.

Prevention

Rodent bait poisoning is preventable. Non-toxic methods of pest control are available for use in areas where cats are present. If rodent baits are used, placing them in cat-proof containers or in locations cats cannot reach helps prevent cat exposure. 

Outdoor cats have a higher risk of exposure, as they are more likely to encounter rodent baits while exploring. Rodent bait exposure is an inherent risk of an outdoor lifestyle, and keeping cats indoors prevents exposure.

Is Rat Bait Poisoning Common in Cats?

Rodent bait poisoning is rare in cats.

Typical Treatment

• Supportive care • Specific treatments depending on the type of poison