Rat Poisoning in Cats: Symptoms and When To Bring Your Cat To the Vet

Rat poisoning in cats is a medical emergency.  

If you know or suspect your cat ate rat poison—or ate a rodent that may have consumed poison—contact your veterinarian immediately, even if your cat is not showing symptoms. 

Different types of rat poison affect cats in different ways and can cause internal bleeding, neurological problems, kidney damage, seizures, and even death.  

Because symptoms may not appear right away, prompt veterinary treatment gives your cat the best chance of recovery. 

What Is Rat Poisoning in Cats?

Rat poisoning in cats occurs when a cat ingests a toxic rodenticide directly or, in some cases, eats a rodent that has consumed poison.  

Depending on the type of rat poison, it can cause life-threatening problems such as internal bleeding, neurological symptoms, or kidney damage and requires immediate veterinary care. 

The most common types of rodenticides include: 

1. Anticoagulant rodenticides 
2. Bromethalin 
3. Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)  

It is often difficult to figure out the amount of rat bait your cat has ingested.  

Therefore, consider ANY possible contact or ingestion of rodent bait by a cat toxic exposure, and seek veterinary attention immediately. 

Symptoms of Rat Poisoning in Cats

Symptoms of rat poisoning in cats include:

• Lethargy 
• Pale gums 
• Bruising (on the skin, gums, whites of the eyes) 
• Black stool 
• Vomiting up blood 
• Difficulty breathing 
• Swelling of the joints 
• Blood in the urine 

Bromethalin: Symptoms can begin within hours or be delayed for a few days depending on the amount ingested. Symptoms may include muscle tremors, hyperthermia (high body temperature), seizures, unequal pupil sizes, incoordination, paralysis, or death. 

Vitamin D3: Symptoms may begin within a few hours with significant liver or kidney damage occurring within 48 hours of ingestion. Symptoms may include lethargy, vomiting, increased thirst or urination, seizures, or death.  

Causes of Rat Poisoning in Cats

Rat poisoning occurs when a cat encounters or consumes rat bait or traps, or when a cat hunts and eats a rodent that has ingested the bait.  

Pet parents may see their cats consuming the bait or they may see evidence that a trap or bait has been tampered with, and suspect their cat got into it. 

How Veterinarians Diagnose Rat Poisoning in Cats

Most often, veterinarians diagnose rodenticide poisoning based on a client history of seeing an exposure. 

When arriving at the hospital, a veterinarian will ask what type of rat poison your cat was exposed to, how much, and how long ago.  

Bring the package of rat bait with you if possible. Since there are multiple types of rat poison and treatment varies depending on the type of bait ingested, it is important to come with as much information as possible. 

Based on the type of bait your cat ingested or was exposed to, your veterinarian will most likely recommend blood work. 

Unfortunately, there is no one superior “rat bait test.” Diagnosis of rat bait toxicity is made based on a combination of history, physical exam findings, and lab work. 

Treatment of Rat Poisoning in Cats

Immediate treatment after ingestion or exposure to rat poison provides the best possible outcome—take your cat to the veterinarian right away. 

Giving hydrogen peroxide orally to induce vomiting should never be done at home as it can cause stomach ulcers and intestinal bleeding.  

Only a veterinarian should induce vomiting in a cat. 

Decontamination is performed immediately at the veterinary clinic. Vomiting is induced using special medication.  

Once the veterinarian is satisfied with what the cat vomits up, medication will be given to cease further vomiting.  

Activated charcoal may be given to bind any possible toxin in the gastrointestinal tract of the cat so it can be eliminated from the body in the feces. 

Vitamin K, blood or plasma transfusions, and oxygen therapy may be administered if the cat has ingested an anticoagulant rodenticide.  

If bromethalin has been ingested, additional medications may be given including: 

• Muscle relaxers to treat tremors 
• Diuretics to reduce brain swelling 
• Anti-seizure medications to control seizures 
• Intravenous lipid emulsion to help eliminate the toxin from the body 

Vitamin D3 toxicity may require intravenous fluids or lipid emulsions and medications to get rid of excess calcium.  

Recovery and Management of Rat Poisoning in Cats

In general, the sooner a cat is treated after toxin ingestion, the higher the likelihood is for a positive outcome.  

Depending on the toxin and the length of time that has passed since ingestion, the cat may be able to go home the same day with treatment or may be hospitalized for several days to a couple of weeks. 

If toxicity is not addressed immediately, the damage caused by the toxin may not be reversible. The cat may develop lifelong health problems or even die. 

Prevention of Rat Poisoning in Cats

The best way to decrease the risk of exposure to rat poison is to avoid having any poison around your home.  

Consider using pet-safe products, such as humane, kill-free traps, to eliminate rodents. If you must use a product containing a toxin, block off pet access to bait stations. 

Cats that are avid hunters are at a high risk for relay toxicosis by eating rats that have eaten toxins.  

Again, consider pet-safe alternatives or prevent access to rats by keeping your cat indoors and preventing access to a space where rats have been seen.