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In this lesson, you'll be learning about dangerous cat poisons. While it may seem that the canine is the star of this course, that's not so in this lesson, as it's all cat centric. We'll be specifically looking at topical flea medications and/or other topical or contact poisons.

At the end of the lesson, we'll be providing you with a very special Word on the top 10 dangers for your cat and other household hazards that may be toxic to your furry friends.

Topical Canine Flea Medications

Some of the more common causes of poisoning in cats is the inadvertent application of topical canine flea medications.

Warning: Flea medications that specifically contain pyrethrins or permethrin can be severely toxic to cats. These toxins can cause a range of symptoms in your cats, including severe full body tremors, seizures, and even death.

Pro Tip #1: Unfortunately, flea medication products on the market are not always labeled as being toxic to cats. So, if you do not find a warning on the package, still do not assume it is safe. Instead, to be safer rather than sorry, you'll want to be very diligent before purchasing any flea medications for your cat.

What You Should do in Case of a Topical Poison

First off, you don't always want to bathe your cat if you suspect an adverse reaction to a contact poison as some toxins can be activated by water. The best course of action is to consult with Animal Poison Control or your local veterinarian before bathing your cat.

Pro Tip #2: If you've been told you can bathe your cat as a means of washing away any poison or toxic residue, make sure you only use warm water, not hot, along with a mild shampoo or dish detergent that has been approved by your vet and rinse your cat thoroughly.

Why shouldn't you use hot water? For the same reason you don't want to dry your cat with a hair dryer. Heating up your cat's skin can cause problems, as this will also increase blood flow to that area where the toxin or contact poison is or was residing, thereby increasing the rate of absorption of the toxin or poison.

For this reason, after bathing your cat, make sure you dry him or her off with a clean towel instead. And once bathed, be sure and transport your cat to the vet for further care.