Ingestible Hazards That Can Harm Your Kitten

Before you bring a new kitten into your home, it's important to make sure the following common household items are put away and kept out of the kitten's reach, as they can be extremely hazardous if ingested:

• String, yarn, tinsel, thread, rubber bands: because cats have barbs on their tongues, these objects can get stuck on the tongue, making it so the kitten cannot spit the object out. If ingested, these items can get tangled in the intestines, which can be fatal if not addressed promptly by a veterinarian. Furthermore, things like thread might be attached to a needle, which can puncture the kitten's esophagus or organ if ingested.
• People food: certain types of human food are highly toxic to kittens, and can even be fatal. These types of foods include high-quality chocolates, raw egg whites, onions, garlic, green tomatoes, and raw potatoes, to name a few.
• Medications for people: kittens can easily be poisoned if they ingest certain types of medications designed for people, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antidepressants, antihistamines, sleeping pills, diet pills, blood pressure medication, vitamins, and of course alcohol and all types of illegal drugs. Depending on what type of medication was ingested, a kitten may suffer from anything from liver and kidney failure to death.
• Poisonous plants: many cat owners don't realize that certain common household plants can be very dangerous to their kitten. If you have any of the following plants in your home, be sure to remove them before bringing home your kitten, as they can result in hallucinations, convulsions, or even death: dieffenbachia (dumb cane), lilies, daffodils, ivy, spider plants, crocuses or other bulb flowers, and more.

In the event that your kitten does ingest one of these things, it's important to see a veterinarian right away. To find a veterinarian near you, click here to browse our online directory of veterinarians.