Is your cat acting weird after its flea medication? It could be a sign of deadly poisoning

Flea treatment is an integral part of pet care. It is efficient and helps fight parasites, but it can also be toxic and even deadly for your cat.

Some flea medication contains potentially harmful ingredients, such as pyrethrins, pyrethroids and permethrins. They negatively impact your cat's nervous system and are fatal if not treated.

This is how to recognise the symptoms of poisoning and when to call the vet.

Use flea treatment safely

If you apply a cat-safe flea and tick spot-on product to your cat, be sure to do it at the nape of the neck. This should keep the cat from reaching and licking the product.

Never put a dog flea and tick medication product on a cat. It can kill them.

You must always follow the product recommendations for dosing and keep all flea medication away from your curious pet’s sight.

How can my cat get poisoned if I do everything right?

Even when you follow the instructions and use the product given to you by the vet, there is still a risk of poisoning. Your cat might come in contact with and lick another animal that recently had slow-drying spot-on medicine applied. The feline might also be sensitive to it or simply overdose.

The poisoning occurs when your cat has a negative reaction to the chemicals in the medication. They can disrupt the nervous system, making the animal act strange and develop worrying symptoms.

Symptoms of flea medicine poisoning in cats

The symptoms of poisoning in cats can appear minutes to hours after application. They may also be delayed up to 72 hours. They include your feline looking agitated and hiding from you.

Ear twitching and constant itching, especially close to the application area, can occur too. Your pet can drool, vomit, lose balance, and look lethargic. Diarrhoea, vomiting, tremors, and seizure are big red flags that call for action.

When to call the vet

Your cat’s symptoms may last for up to three days. If the milder ones such as twitching, itching and drooling persist, schedule time with a vet. In case your cat develops severe symptoms such as frequent vomiting and diarrhoea, tremor and seizures, call the vet immediately.

Depending on the situation, the specialist might recommend diluting the drug by giving your pet a bath or keeping the feline in the clinic until they are back to normal.

The prognosis for early and aggressive treatment is excellent, PetMD writes. However, if your cat’s severe neurological symptoms are untreated or are treated very late, the drug toxicity in cats can be fatal within a few hours.

Sources used:

- PetMD: 'Flea and tick medicine poisoning in cats'

- Wag!: 'Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats'

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