T
he Pet Poison Help Line tracks toxin trends and, for 2023, the most common for all animals were food products (31%). Human drugs were next at 29%. For cats overall, the top problems were lilies, chocolate, onions, and garlic.
One toxin that appears in the Top 10 for cats but not dogs is amphetamines. Whether this says cats are attracted to those pills or perhaps cat lovers are more likely to indulge is not known, but either way, it’s bad news for cats who accidentally ingest them.
Asiatic and day lilies are toxic to cats and can cause renal failure and potentially death. Cats are sensitive to all parts of these toxic lilies, including their pollen. Even the water in a vase of flowers including lilies can be toxic if your cat drinks it or licks it off a paw. The most dangerous lilies are of the Lilium and Hemerocallis species. Peruvian, calla, and peace lilies can cause gastrointestinal tract upsets but not kidney failure. Vomiting is often the first clinical sign.
Cats seem to be attracted to onions, chives, and garlic. Be sure to store them safely away from your cat. If your cat goes outdoors, you may need to protect areas of a garden with these vegetables from a cat raid.
The Pet Poison Help Line site lists toxins by state along with common clinical signs of intoxication for different species at https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/toxin-trends/, along with the common clinical signs.
