Household items that are neurotoxic to dogs and cats

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

There are a variety of foods, chemicals, plants, medications, and other household items that are toxic to dogs and cats. Some of these hazards affect the neurologic system, causing clinical signs such as seizures, incoordination, and muscle spasms. Learning what around your home and yard is hazardous to your pets can help prevent dangerous toxicosis. If you have a dog or cat, read on to learn:

• Common items around the home that are neurotoxic to pets
• Symptoms of toxicosis in dogs and cats
• What to do if your pet may have been exposed to a toxin

In addition to neurologic effects, some toxins can quickly lead to kidney failure, liver failure, damage to blood cells, and other serious health issues. It’s important to contact a veterinarian or a pet poison helpline if your pet may have been exposed to a toxin, even if they’re not showing clinical signs, as there are many toxins where decontamination and treatment are extremely time sensitive.

There are many foods, plants, chemicals, and other household items that can cause neurologic clinical signs in dogs and cats if they’re exposed. Some items are toxic to both dogs and cats, while others affect one species more than the other.

Toxic foods

Dogs and cats do not process foods the same way humans do. As a result, some foods can have toxic effects on pets. Foods that can cause neurologic clinical signs include:

• Chocolate
• Xylitol (an artificial sweetener)
• Ethanol in alcohol or raw bread dough
• Caffeinated beverages and foods
• Macadamia nuts
• Moldy food containing mycotoxins
• THC products

Avoiding giving table scraps can help prevent exposure to toxic foods as well as other health issues associated with inappropriate food consumption, such as pancreatitis. Remember to put away foods, alcoholic beverages, and THC products where animals cannot reach them.

Animal and human medications

Many over-the-counter or prescription medications for humans can cause neurologic effects in dogs and cats when ingested. These medications include:

• Ibuprofen
• Allergy or cold medication containing decongestants
• Acetaminophen
• Antidepressants
• Amphetamines
• Antibiotics
• Muscle relaxants

Medications that are used in veterinary medicine to treat dogs and cats can be toxic in overdoses or when given to the wrong species. These can include:

• Flea and tick prevention
• Antibiotics
• NSAIDs

Certain flea and tick medications meant for dogs can be highly toxic for cats, especially those containing permethrins. “Owners should be cautious about using these medications on their dogs when there are also cats in the household,” explains Dr. Jamie Lecky. “Cats can be exposed to canine flea and tick medications by coming into contact with topical medications that haven’t dried yet as well as by ingesting oral medications that have been dropped or spit out.” Dogs who eat entire packs of prevention products or who receive the wrong doses can also develop neurologic signs. Certain dog breeds, such as collies, have a genetic mutation that can lead to neurotoxicity with specific medications that other dogs can tolerate.

Cats are much more sensitive to the adverse effects of NSAIDs than dogs, and medicinal or recreational cannabis can cause neurologic effects when ingested by both dogs and cats. It’s also important to be aware that, in addition to potential at-home exposure, it’s also common for dogs to be exposed to THC products while out on walks. Dogs may find and ingest cannabis on a walk and begin to show signs of toxicosis by the time they return home.

Toxic plants

Various wild and household plants can cause neurologic signs in dogs and cats. These plants can include:

• Oleander
• Lilies
• Wild mushrooms
• Sago palm
• Brunfelsia
• Hops

Cats are especially sensitive to lilies. Toxicosis can occur by ingesting small amounts of the flower, pollen, leaves, stems, or vase water. Cats can be affected by grooming small amounts of pollen from their fur or paws, quickly leading to renal failure and neurologic signs. If you have a cat, it’s best to avoid having any lily species in the home or planted outdoors.

Household chemicals

Various chemicals used in and around the home can cause neurologic toxicosis in dogs and cats. These chemicals include:

• Snail or rat bait
• Antifreeze
• Pesticides and weed killer
• Paint
• Glue
• Cleaning products
• Fertilizers

Some household chemicals can cause clinical signs without being ingested, just by being inhaled or touched. It’s important to keep all household chemicals and poisons locked up and away from pets. Always use products as directed and keep pets away while they’re being used.

Clinical signs of neurotoxin exposure include:

• Seizures
• Muscle tremors or twitching
• Difficulty walking or a wobbly gait (ataxia)
• Disorientation
• Dilated pupils
• Weakness
• Loss of consciousness

The type and severity of neurologic effects can vary depending on the type of toxin, method of exposure, how much of the toxin the pet was exposed to, and the size and species of the animal. Various other medical conditions can have similar signs, so it’s important to seek veterinary care any time they’re observed.

Other possible clinical signs of toxicosis in dogs and cats

Toxins can lead to many health issues in dogs and cats, such as liver or kidney failure, and can have effects on the gastrointestinal system as well as on blood cells, causing clotting issues or cell destruction. Clinical signs vary widely but can include:

• Excessive salivation or drooling
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Change in urination (amount, color, or presence of blood)
• Increased or decreased thirst
• Excessive panting or respiratory distress
• Lethargy

It’s common for pets to experience other clinical signs along with neurologic effects when exposed to a neurotoxin.

It’s important to get veterinary care immediately if your pet may have been exposed to a toxin. Some poisons cause neurologic symptoms, while others can lead to other potentially serious signs in as little as a few minutes after exposure. Do not wait for your pet to show clinical signs before seeking help. Take note of what the toxin is, the method of exposure, and how much of the toxin they may have been exposed to. These facts may change how the toxicosis is treated.

If your pet may have been exposed to something but you’re unsure if it’s toxic, you can talk to an online vet for more information or contact the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

What toxins cause neurologic symptoms in dogs?

Toxins, such as human medications, certain food items (such as coffee and chocolate), cannabis products, rat bait, antifreeze, and several types of plants, can cause neurologic effects in dogs and cats and potentially affect other body systems as well. Some toxins can also cause kidney or liver damage and have other effects on the cardiac, respiratory, or gastrointestinal systems.

What foods can cause seizures in pets?

Foods such as chocolate, xylitol sweetener, alcohol, caffeine, and macadamia nuts can cause neurologic effects such as seizures in dogs and cats. THC products and human or pet food that has gone moldy can trigger seizures as well.

What are the symptoms of toxicosis in cats?

Clinical signs of toxicosis in cats can include neurologic effects, such as seizures, difficulty walking, and muscle tremors, as well as other symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, dilated pupils, and other signs of illness.