During the colder months, small hand warmer packets containing iron powder are a popular way for people to quickly generate portable heat However, these handy items can pose a danger to curious cats who may ingest them This article will examine whether hot hands are toxic to cats and provide cat owners with important safety information.
What Are Hot Hands?
Hot hands, also known by brands like Little Hotties and HeatMax, are small packets filled with a powdered iron formulation. When the packet is opened and exposed to oxygen in the air, a chemical reaction occurs which causes the iron to rapidly oxidize and generate heat.
These single-use hand warmers can provide several hours of soothing warmth for human hands placed inside mittens or gloves. They are also used as pocket warmers and for other purposes like keeping hands toasty while operating drones or cameras outdoors.
The key ingredient allowing hot hands to create heat is iron powder This poses a potential toxicity risk if directly ingested by pets like cats
Dangers of Iron for Cats
Iron is an essential mineral for cats, but only in small amounts. Too much iron can cause iron poisoning with potentially serious effects.
Cats are uniquely sensitive to iron toxicity compared to other animals like dogs. Excess iron is stored in the organs, primarily the liver, and causes oxidative damage leading to liver failure over time.
Early symptoms of iron poisoning in cats include:
- Lethargy, weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
Without treatment, liver damage can progress to cause:
- Jaundice
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
The estimated lethal oral dose of iron for cats is 200 mg per kg of body weight. However, iron supplements as low as 60 mg have caused toxicity signs in cats.
Are Hot Hands Toxic?
The amount of elemental iron powder contained in a single hand warmer packet ranges from approximately 13-20 mg. This small quantity means that a cat would need to ingest multiple hot hands to approach lethal iron doses.
However, the iron powder converts to ferric oxide after the hand warmer activates, which is considered less toxic than pure elemental iron.
So the main risk would come from a cat puncturing and eating the contents of unused hot hands containing the unoxidized iron powder. Once activated and cooled, the risk decreases significantly.
Overall, occasional ingestion of a small number of hand warmers does not likely pose a major toxicity threat to most cats. But consult your veterinarian if you know your cat consumed hot hands.
Preventing Hot Hand Ingestion
Like other household items, the best way to protect your cat is through prevention and keeping hot hands safely out of reach. Here are some tips:
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Store unused hot hands up high or in drawers your cat cannot access.
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Activate and cool used hand warmers before discarding to reduce iron toxicity risk.
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Place trash cans containing used hot hands out of reach, since cats may try to dig them out. Use closed bins.
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Check the floor and bedding areas carefully for dropped hand warmers which cats may eat.
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Avoid using loose hand warmers around cats. Opt for microwavable reusable warmers instead.
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Read packaging warnings and do not exceed safe durations of heat exposure next to skin.
If you suspect your cat ate part of a hand warmer, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline immediately for guidance. Treatment may include inducing vomiting and giving medication to bind excess iron.
Other Household Iron Dangers
Hot hands are not the only source of iron poisoning risk for curious cats in the home. Other products contain elemental iron that could cause toxicity if directly ingested.
Oxygen Absorber Packets
These contain iron powder and are used to absorb oxygen and moisture in product packaging. Cats may bite into them due to their small size. Keep packets away from pets.
Vitamins & Supplements
Iron supplements and multivitamins with iron should be kept in the medicine cabinet and out of paws’ reach.
Cookware
Cast iron pans, pots, and skillets can flake off small bits of iron that may appeal to cats. Keep kitchenware in cupboards. Wash any iron residue from floors or counters.
Fertilizers
Some lawn and garden fertilizers contain forms of iron. Prevent pets from accessing fertilized areas.
Pesticides
Some slug and snail bait products include iron phosphate compounds. Avoid using these pesticides if you have outdoor cats.
Hot hands do pose some risk of iron poisoning if cats bite into and ingest the packets containing elemental iron powder. However, the small amount of iron present limits the toxicity danger from a single packet. Still, it’s best to store all unused hand and foot warmers safely out of your cat’s reach and promptly discard any used ones. Following basic safety and prevention measures can help you avoid potential iron toxicity issues from hot hands or other household sources.
Pet Parents: Beware of These Four Fall Toxins
In many parts of the country, it’s getting chillier. The trees are losing their leaves, and it’s a great time to cuddle up with your pet by a warm fire. As the seasons change, so do the potential toxins that your pet can be exposed to. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) wants you to know everything you need to know to keep your pets safe all year. Here are the four most common fall pet poisons and what you can do to keep your pets safe, happy, and healthy.
Pumpkins, Gourds and Corn Cobs
Keep your pet away from your fall decorations if they like to chew on things. The toxins in foods like dried gourds and corn on the cob are not harmful, but eating them can block your intestines and often needs surgery to fix.
Mold can grow on pumpkins, especially after they’ve been cut open. This mold could make your dog shake or have seizures. Be sure to dispose of jack-o’-lanterns properly, ideally before they get moldy.
Apple slices, in moderation, can be a healthy snack for your dog. But be sure to remove any seeds, as they do contain cyanide—a dangerous toxin. So, if your dog eats a couple of apple seeds, it probably won’t hurt them. The cyanide needs to be broken down by chewing or grinding them up. But, it’s always better to be on the safe side.
Large animals like horses, goats, and cows can also become poisoned by cyanide if they eat a lot of apples. When giving your pets snacks that aren’t normally part of their diet, you should always be careful.
Disposable hand warmers contain elemental iron. Once the iron is taken out of its plastic wrapper and put in the air, it oxidizes and gets hot. If this part of a disposable hand warmer gets into your pet’s mouth, they might get an upset stomach. But if your pet ate the hand warmer while it was still warm, it could get thermal burns in the stomach and vomit or have diarrhea with blood. You should always keep things like disposable hand warmers up and out of reach of your dog’s paws. If your dog swallows one whole, it could also block its intestines and need surgery to fix. When you throw away old things, make sure your trash is locked up so your pet can’t get to it.
Fire-starter logs should be out of reach for dogs that like to chew on things. These items are usually made of sawdust mixed with paraffin, and eating them can make your stomach hurt a lot. If a dog eats enough, it can also cause intestinal blockage.
Additionally, lighter fluid can cause stomach upset and depression when consumed. The lighter fluid can get into your pet’s lungs if they vomit after drinking it. This can cause aspiration pneumonia and make it hard for them to breathe. If you think your pet ate either of these things, you should call your vet to find out what to do next.
When it comes to pet safety, no matter the season, prevention is always key. Keeping dangerous things out of reach of curious pets is important for their health and happiness.
If you think your pet has eaten something that could be harmful or is having a bad reaction to something, please call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away at (888) 426-4435 for help.
WHY I HAD TO GET MY CAT HANDWARMERS
FAQ
Is hot hands poisonous to cats?
Are hot hands safe for pets?
Can you put hand warmers in a cat house?
Why does my cat love hot hands?
Are hand warmers poisonous to dogs?
Although they keep your fingers toasty, hand warmers are poisonous to dogs and animals that eat them. Although spring is almost here, New York City still has a handful of chilly days in the foreseeable future.
What if my pet eats a hand warmer?
This requires surgery to remove, and it will likely make them very sick. AMCNY’s Instagram post advises pet parents to call ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline at (1-855-764-7661), or to pay a visit to a veterinary emergency room, if their pet swallows a hand or foot warmer.
Are disposable hand warmers poisonous?
This means city-dwellers will likely be breaking out disposable hand warmers, and many of them will unfortunately be tossed on the sidewalk instead of the trash receptacles. In addition to not being biodegradable, disposable hand warmers are poisonous to animals who ingest them.
Do cats get poisoned?
Cats, with their curious nature, may fall victim to poisoning within the home. Their small size, lack of ability to metabolize certain drugs, and their tendency to hide symptoms when ill, make their poisoning less obvious compared to dogs and may also delay treatment. How can a cat become poisoned?
Are household cleaners toxic to cats?
It is ideal to have packaging available when seeking veterinary advice or calling Pet Poison Helpline so the active ingredient and concentration can be evaluated to determine if the exposure is a concern. Common household cleaners, including kitchen and bath surface cleaners, carpet cleaners, and toilet bowl cleaners, can be toxic to cats.
Is tea tree oil poisonous to cats?
Some essential oils, such as tea tree oil, can cause poisoning from ingestion or topical exposure to a single drop of a concentrated product. Tea tree oil can result in depression, hypothermia, and potentially liver injury in cats.