My Cat Ate Grass Sprayed With Pesticide – What Should I Do?

As a cat owner I was horrified when I realized my furry friend had been munching on grass I had just sprayed with pesticide. Cats often eat grass to help with digestion or to induce vomiting of hairballs. But pesticides can be extremely toxic to cats. I rushed online looking for advice on how to handle this scary situation.

Why Do Cats Eat Grass – And Why Is Pesticide Exposure So Dangerous?

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat to get all the nutrients they need. But they also commonly snack on grass. Vomiting is a natural protective mechanism for cats to expel things that upset their stomach or are difficult to digest. Eating grass can trigger vomiting to get rid of hairballs formed from grooming. Grass also provides fiber to aid digestion.

Unfortunately pesticides sprayed on lawns and gardens can be highly toxic to cats. Exposure can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures respiratory distress, coma or even death. The active ingredients in weed killers, insecticides, fungicides and other pesticides are designed to kill pests. But they can be just as deadly to our feline companions. Immediate veterinary treatment is essential if a cat ingests pesticides.

Signs of Pesticide Poisoning in Cats

Some common symptoms of pesticide poisoning in cats include:

• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea, sometimes with blood
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy, depression, weakness
• Tremors or seizures
• Dilated pupils
• Rapid breathing or coughing
• Collapse, coma or death

The severity of symptoms depends on the type and amount of pesticide ingested, as well as the size and health of the cat. Small kittens, elderly cats and cats with other health conditions are most at risk. But even healthy adult cats can suffer serious effects from pesticide exposure.

If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms shortly after possible pesticide exposure, don’t wait – get to the vet right away! The longer toxins circulate in the body, the higher the risk of catastrophic damage.

First Aid Steps To Take If Your Cat Ingests Pesticides

If you catch your cat in the act of eating grass or another substance recently treated with pesticides, quick action on your part can help reduce the severity of poisoning:

• Safely confine the cat immediately to prevent further ingestion. Wear gloves to avoid skin exposure yourself.

• Check the product label for first aid instructions. Organophosphates and carbamates may advise giving atropine.

• Call your veterinarian or emergency vet clinic for advice. They may recommend inducing vomiting if ingestion just occurred.

• If advised to induce vomiting, use 3% hydrogen peroxide by syringe or turkey baster. Dose is 1 teaspoon (5 ml) per 5 pounds of body weight.

• Never induce vomiting if the cat is unconscious or having seizures.

• If instructed, follow with activated charcoal to absorb toxins in the GI tract. A vet must advise dosage.

• Rush the cat to the vet clinic as soon as possible for proper evaluation and treatment. Take the product label with ingredients.

• Be prepared to provide details about the type and approximate amount of product ingested and when.

Getting immediate competent veterinary care offers the best hope for recovery if a cat ingests pesticides. Don’t waste precious time looking up info online or trying home remedies. Call the vet promptly for tailored guidance based on the specific poisoning situation.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Pesticide Poisoning in Cats

At the vet clinic, the doctor will ask about the product and amount ingested, when it happened, and symptoms observed. They will examine the cat for signs of pesticide toxicity like excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea or neurological problems.

Initial screening tests like a complete blood count, biochemistry profile and urinalysis can reveal abnormalities pointing to poisoning like low glucose, electrolyte imbalances, kidney/liver damage and anemia. Specific toxin tests on blood or urine may be warranted depending on the pesticide suspected.

Treatment focuses on identifying and controlling clinical signs and minimizing further pesticide absorption and damage. Key steps may include:

• Inducing vomiting if ingestion was very recent

• Gastric lavage under anesthesia to flush toxins from the stomach

• Activated charcoal to bind toxins in the GI tract

• IV fluids with electrolytes for hydration and kidney support

• Medications to control vomiting and seizures

• Oxygen therapy and respiration support

• Monitoring and supportive hospital care for 2-7 days

With aggressive veterinary treatment started very promptly after exposure, many cats poisoned by pesticides fully recover. However, in severe cases damage can be irreversible leading to lifelong impairment or death. Prevention is by far the best approach – keep cats away from any area recently treated with pesticides!

Keeping Cats Safe Around Pesticide Use

Here are some tips to keep your curious cats out of harm’s way when using pesticides at home or in the yard:

• Read all product labels carefully and follow safety precautions. Never assume something is harmless.

• Keep cats completely confined indoors when applying pesticides outdoors and until areas are completely dry.

• Avoid spot-on flea treatments if you have dogs and cats in the same household. Oral or injected treatments are safer.

• Pick up any granules or debris from pesticides sprinkled on soil. Cats may eat them when grooming paws.

• Offer cat-safe plants like oat grass, wheat grass or catnip to munch instead of outdoor grass. Grow in pots just for them.

• Ventilate areas very well before allowing cats back in after indoor pesticide use. Limit their access until all treated surfaces are completely dry.

• Securely store all pesticides out of reach of pets. Safely dispose of old products rather than letting them accumulate.

• Post warnings on doors if service personnel have recently applied pesticides so everyone keeps cats away.

By taking a few simple precautions, we can let cats indulge their grass-munching instincts without putting them at risk. Being vigilant will keep our feline companions healthy and safe from the dangers of pesticides.