Never put dog flea treatment on a cat: permethrin poisoning explained
Some dog flea and tick products contain permethrin, which can cause tremors and seizures in cats. Signs to watch for, what to do, and safer options.
It's one of the most common poisonings in cats, and it usually starts with good intentions. Someone has a dog product on the shelf, the cat has fleas, and a dose of the dog's spot-on seems like a sensible shortcut. It isn't.
Why it's dangerous
Many dog flea and tick products contain permethrin or other pyrethroids. Dogs handle them well. Cats don't: the ASPCA notes that cats are far more sensitive to permethrin than dogs, and that most poisonings happen when a canine flea medication is used on the family cat. Cats who are very close to a recently treated dog, such as grooming or sleeping against it, can be at risk too, so read the dog product's label for household precautions.
K9 Advantix II, one of the dog products we rank, contains permethrin. Its label says not to use it on cats.
Signs of permethrin poisoning
According to the ASPCA, signs can start within minutes to hours and include:
- moderate to severe muscle tremors and twitching
- paw and ear flicking
- drooling
- wobbliness (ataxia), depression, sensitivity to touch
- seizures
What to do
- Call your vet or an emergency clinic now. You can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply).
- Keep the product packaging so the vet knows exactly what was used.
- Vets typically bathe exposed cats with liquid dish detergent to remove the product and keep them warm, because a cold cat is affected more. Ask your vet before bathing at home, and don't let it delay getting there.
Safer flea control for cats
Use a product labeled for cats, at the right weight, and check the label every time. Read the species line before every purchase, since dog and cat versions often share a brand name and packaging.
Treat every pet in the home, because fleas move between them, and wash bedding to break the life cycle. More options, with species clearly marked, are in Best Flea & Tick Products.
Sources: ASPCApro, "Common Feline Toxic Exposures and Their Treatment"; Cornell Feline Health Center, "Poisons."