What happens if cat licks flea medicine

Some pet flea and tick medications—including topical sprays, dips, and shampoos—contain pyrethrin and/or pyrethroid. Pyrethrin and pyrethroid may also be found in insecticidal agricultural and home products.

Pyrethrin is an insecticide derived from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (“mum”) flowers. Pyrethrins are safe to use in cats if administered at appropriate doses. Pyrethroid is the synthetic version of pyrethrin, designed for enhanced stability and potency. Pyrethroids are not safe to use in cats. The most common pyrethroid is called permethrin, which is found in over-the-counter spot-on products labeled for dogs and is metabolized (broken down) in the liver. 

Your cat’s liver is very inefficient at processing permethrin, which causes it to build up, leading to poisoning or toxicity.

If your cat’s symptoms are not treated, this toxicity may lead to seizures and death within a few hours. Permethrin toxicity may also occur in dogs, but it is rare and typically only at very high doses.   

Symptoms of Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats

Poisoning symptoms in cats usually occur minutes to hours after exposure to or application of the flea and tick medicine, but may be delayed up to 72 hours. The symptoms typically last two to three days.  

The most common symptoms of flea and tick medicine poisoning in cats include:  

• Tremors/muscle twitching/trembling 

• Ear twitching  

• Loss of balance or stumbling (ataxia)  

• Lethargy  

• Drooling (hypersalivation)  

• Itchiness  

• Hiding  

• Agitation  

• Vomiting/diarrhea 

• Seizures and death if symptoms are untreated 

Causes of Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats

Causes of flea and tick medicine poisoning in cats include:

• Accidentally or intentionally applying dog flea and tick medicine to a cat
• A cat brushing against, laying with, or licking a dog that recently had spot-on medicine applied. Such medicines can take up to 24 hours to dry.  
• Sensitivity to appropriately applied/dosed flea and tick products 
• Overdose  

You should never apply dog flea and tick products to cats. Cats are not small dogs!  

You should always use the correct weight range on the product’s packaging to determine the appropriate dose.

How Veterinarians Diagnose Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats

Your veterinarian will ask for a detailed history of any topical medication, shampoo, dip, or spot-on medicine applied to your cat or other pets in your household. If possible, take the product and packaging for the vet to examine. 

Your vet will start with a thorough physical examination to assess your cat’s neurological status. A complete blood count, serum blood chemistry, and urinalysis will likely be recommended for a baseline evaluation.   

Unfortunately, there is no specific toxicology test available to determine if your cat was exposed to pyrethrin or pyrethroid. Therefore, the history of exposure to these products is valuable information for your vet. 

Early detection and treatment are key to your cat’s successful recovery.   

Treatment of Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats

If your cat is experiencing poisoning symptoms, they should be treated as quickly as possible.

If you realize you accidentally applied a dog product to your cat, or your cat starts to show symptoms after recent application of a spot-on product to them or to other pets in the household, call your vet immediately for assistance.

Depending on the severity of your cat’s symptoms, to prevent further absorption of the product, your vet may instruct you to immediately bathe your cat in diluted dishwashing liquid (such as Dawn) and go to a local emergency veterinary hospital.

The emergency vet will assess your cat’s temperature and neurological status. It is likely your cat will be hospitalized for up to three days while undergoing treatment.

There is no known antidote for permethrin toxicity in cats, so treatment mainly consists of supportive care to treat the neurological signs listed above. This may involve:

• IV muscle relaxers

• IV fluids

• Anti-nausea medication  

Your vet may also recommend a newer treatment called intralipid therapy, which helps pull the permethrin out of cat tissues faster and lessens symptoms.    

Recovery and Management of Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats

Your cat’s symptoms may last for up to three days, even if you try decontaminating them in diluted dishwashing liquid. Hospitalization is recommended until your cat’s tremors or twitching resolve and they are back to normal.  

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

Typically, cats that recover go on to live normal lives with no secondary consequences.   

Prevention of Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats 

Prevention of flea and tick medicine poisoning in cats (permethrin toxicity) is key when it comes to avoiding an emergency with your cat. It’s critical to remember:

• Never put a dog flea and tick medication product on a cat

• Always follow the product recommendations for dosing

• Ask your vet about flea and tick prevention product recommendations for your specific pet   

• Separate your cat for 24 hours from any dogs that were treated with a topical product

• If you have a cat and a dog in one household, ask your vet for a dog flea and tick medicine that does not contain permethrin  

• Keep all flea and tick medication in a safe place away from animals   

Flea and Tick Medicine Poisoning in Cats FAQs

What happens if your cat licks flea medicine?

Licking a permethrin-based spot-on flea and tick product for dogs is toxic to cats. If your cat has brushed up against or licked a dog within 24 hours of a spot-on flea and tick medication application, call your vet immediately. If your cat licks a cat-safe flea and tick medication, the bitter taste will typically cause drooling and possibly nausea.   

How long does your cat’s flea medicine toxicity last?

Toxicity from your cat’s exposure to permethrin-based spot-on flea and tick products for dogs may last up to three days. Never put a product labeled for a dog on a cat. Cats are not small dogs!  

How do you stop your cat from licking flea medicine?

Spot-on flea and tick products may take up to 24 hours to dry. It is very important to separate dogs from cats in the household for 24 hours after applying permethrin-based spot-on medicine to dogs.

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.

Featured Image: iStock.com/sdominick

Fleas are annoying pests that can cause a lot of damage to your home. They can also spread diseases such as tapeworms and plague.

Fleas can even carry dangerous bacteria that can lead to serious health problems. If you have cats in your home, then once in a while, you will have to use flea treatment on them.

Cats are great groomers, and if your cat feels something wet on her fur, she will lick it. If you use an insecticide spray on your cat, they are not thrilled and make them uncomfortable.

It could potentially lead to some health issues, including poisoning.

Here Is What Will Happen If A Cat Licks Flea Treatment

1. Vomiting Or Diarrhea

Your cat may vomit or experience diarrhea after licking flee treatment off her coat. These symptoms usually go away within 24 hours, but some cases last longer than this.

You must keep track of any vomiting or diarrhea so that you can contact your vet right away.

2. Seizures

Your cat could experience seizures after licking flee treatment—a seizure happens when too much activity goes through the brain.

The most common symptom of seizures is twitching, followed by convulsions. Some other signs include drooling, staring into space, losing balance, falling over, stiffening up, and more.

You should take your pet to see your vet if he has experienced these types of seizures.

3. Lethargy

When your cat becomes lethargic, she will be less active and not want to play with toys or interact with people. She may appear tired and sleepy all day long.

4. Loss Of Appetite

One sign that your cat has licked flee treatment is loss of appetite. An appetite decrease means that your cat isn’t eating enough food. He may lose weight quickly, which makes him look thinner and sicker.

5. Lack Of Urination Or Constipation

Flee treatment poisoning can lead to dehydration or constipation in your cat. Both are urinating, and defecating become difficult for your cat because her body doesn’t produce average urine or feces.

6. Difficulty In Breathing

If your cat experiences lick, flee treatment; it may experience difficulty breathing. Seek medical attention if this happens.

7. Death

In extreme cases, death can occur if your cat swallows large quantities of flee treatment. Make sure that you don’t give your cat medications unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian.

8. Liver Disease

Cats who lick flee treatment off their coats can develop liver disease.

9. Cancer

If your cat licks flee treatment, the pesticides can accumulate in fatty tissues and organs over time, causing cancer.

The safe way to prevent your cat from getting poisoned by flea treatments is to make sure that you only apply the product directly onto your cat’s skin.

Never put the liquid on your cat’s paws or anywhere else where she can quickly ingest it. Also, never leave the treated area unattended while your cat is still using it.

Remember to always read the instructions carefully before applying the product. Read labels closely and follow directions strictly.

What Happens If My Cat Licks Frontline?

Frontline poisonings are very rare in cats. The main active ingredient in Frontline is fipronil, which is not lethal if ingested.

The medication’s taste usually causes the most notable reactions. If your cat does swallow some of the powder, here are some things that you need to watch out for:

1. Drooling

If a cat licks Frontline off her coat, she will drool foam-like saliva off her mouth.

2. Vomit Or Diarrhea

Your cat may vomit or suffer from diarrhea after licking off the Frontline. Symptoms typically disappear within one hour. But if it persists, it’s advisable to consult your vet.

3. Severe Stomach Pain

Your cat may also feel severe stomach pain and nausea after licking Frontline. It could indicate a severe problem such as ulceration or internal hemorrhaging. Call your vet right away in such a case.

4. Droopy Eyes

If your cat licks Frontline, he may have trouble focusing on her eyes. She might feel tired and even close them completely.

5. Weakness

Your cat may start feeling weak and dizzy after licking Frontline. She may also seem disoriented and confused.

6. Unusual Behavior Changes

Your cat may act strangely and display unusual behavior changes following frontline ingestion. For example, she may stop grooming herself or refuse to eat.

What Happens If My Cat Licks Worm Medicine?

When you suspect that your furry friend is suffering from worms or any other parasite) it would be best if you dewormed it as soon quickly as possible.

Among the worm medications available for cats today, Profender is among those that are most popular.

Being a topical solution, Profender is applied to cats’ skin. Some pet owners wonder whether cats lick Profender by mistake, so could it cause health problems if ingested.

If the cat licks up worm medicine in small amounts, there’s nothing much to worry about. But if the ingestion was, in excess, watch out for the following signs.

1. Abdominal Cramps

These cramping pains happen in the abdomen region. It feels similar to having gas bubbles trapped in your intestines.

2. Nausea

Your cat may experience nausea and vomiting after licking off worm treatment

3. Loss Of Appetite

Your cat will lose interest in eating food off the licks excess worm treatment

4. Lethargic/Weak

Your cat may appear lethargic and weak after excess worm treatment

5. Fainting

Excessive licking of worm medicine can cause a fainting episode occurs when your cat loses consciousness suddenly.

What Can You Do If Your Cat Licks Flee Treatment?

If your cat has ingested any poisonous substance, there are several ways to treat this situation. The first thing that you should do is contact your vet immediately.

They will advise you on what steps to take next. Some common remedies include:

Keep Them Lots Of Water

If the cat experiences excessive drooling due to flea treatment ingestion, keep giving them water to stay hydrated and washes the taste off her mouth, water or tuna to help her dilute the stuff and mod

Allergy Shot

If your cat has developed a severe reaction after licking e Frontline or any other flee treatment, in some, your cat may need an allergy shot to counteract an allergic reaction to the medication,

Activated Charcoal

This natural remedy works by absorbing toxins from the body. It helps remove poisons from the digestive tract.

Gastric Lavage

In more complicated situations, she may require hospitalization to flush toxins from her system and stabilize her.

The procedure involves inserting a tube into your cat’s mouth and down through its esophagus. Then, water is poured into the stomach via a syringe until all the contents are removed.

Antidote Medication

There are certain medications available at pet stores that help neutralize the effects of toxic substances.

Final Thought

In case of flea treatment poisoning, it is advisable to watch out for the signs to seek treatment. Cats can recover from fleas or worm treatment poisoning.

But it’s better to avoid the problem altogether. Try using only products intended for cats only on the prescribed amount.

Also, apply the medication in the correct place and keep pets separated while applying the drug to avoid licking each other.

Zoey is a long-time pet owner and animal rights advocate, a vital part of Purrfect n’ Pawesome. She shares her unique experiences and learnings with her readers to enhance their understanding of pet behavior and nutrition. Along with being an active pet writer, she volunteers at multiple animal shelters, rescue centres with some bespokenly awesome pets.

Zoey has a lot to share when raising the pets and spending life being their true friends. She has a quite pampered Persian cat and a Ragdoll, whom she loves the most. Readout her blogs to know more about being a responsible parent to your beloved pets.

“I love to be around cats and dogs; that’s my passion and my trick to get away from all the negativity and soaking in unconditional love and affection. Being attached to this platform gives me the reason to be vocal about pet love, care, and nurturing. Although I am not an expert or veterinarian by any means, I have a lot of experience and learnings to share with my fellow readers.”