This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. "Labradors, however, might down the entire bucket." By Staff Writer Last Updated Mar 28, 2020 8:31:25 PM ET. But is that a problem? For most of these cases, the symptoms should subside 30 to 45 minutes after treatment, Hovda says. If your cat or dog ingests bleach, the toxic product can result in respiratory and gastrointestinal complications. You can also add water to further dilute the bleach. The smell does seem to attract them, I always keep the doors closed when cleaning so they can’t get in. All rights reserved. By the end of this post, we hope you have a better understanding about why cats like bleach and what to do if your cat consumes this toxin. Unfortunately, we don’t really know. "Maybe they step away for a minute and forget to block it off from their pets or they spill some and aren't able to clean it up in time.". For the majority of cases, which involve household bleach that has been diluted in water, symptoms begin within minutes. If you are going to use bleach, put your cat in another room. I don't think he drank that much, but his paws are wet and smell like bleach and i could smell a little of his face. This is just a harmless reaction they experience and it is similar to the reaction they have after being exposed to catnip. It is very unlikely the cat will survive now. If they do not, it’s best to consult your vet who can evaluate your pet’s condition and, if necessary, prescribe medications to relieve discomfort and help the lining of the gastrointestinal tract heal. Remember, the best way to keep your cat from drinking bleach is to keep them away from bleach. If your child has consumed bleach, it’s best to take your child straight the emergency department instead of reading this article. I handled a bleach ingestion as a poison control doctor once. If your pet drinks some of that blue toilet water, you can give them a small amount of milk or fresh water to help dilute the mixture even further. Human medicines such as laxatives, aspirin, paracetamol and antidepressants. If you are frightened, make sure she gets LOTS of water, so any bleach will get wiped out of her system faster. Wet or canned food is 80% water compared to 10% in dry food. Charlie, the cat, has been under my friend's bed all day, and hasn't eaten or drank anything that she knows of since. Give her plenty of fresh water, and take her to the vet to be safe if she has drank bleach water. Then give the … Keep reading to find out. They might vomit or get a chemical burn. Bleach is a highly potent agent used in cleaning, and while most people are smart enough to abide by the warning labels and avoid drinking it, sometimes people still wonder what would happen if they did. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. She and her colleagues field calls about bleach poisoning regularly, but most cases aren't emergencies. A pheromone is a chemical that causes a natural reaction in certain creatures. However other suggestions say water and milk are not recommended after bleach intake. If this happens, try to give your cat water or milk to flush out the toxin. Many products used around the home like bleach and ammonia contain hazardous chemicals. Get your Action Lab Box Now! Pets who have ingested a small amount of color-safe bleach will usually vomit a few times and then return to normal. They might droll, purr, or roll around in the area. Copyright 2021 by Persian Cat Corner. "The majority of cases are regular household bleach, which is an irritant but not a corrosive agent." Today, I want to talk to you about bleach poisoning in dogs and what emergency action you should take if your dog drinks bleach. Thyroid diseases. For the most part, it's exactly as you'd expect, says Tina Wismer, DVM, DABVT, DABT and medical director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Don’t worry, your cat isn’t the only one. Concentrated washing liquids or powders can burn the feet and skin if cats walk through them. It can also cause chest pain, lowered blood pressure, delirium, coma, and potentially death. So cats are just naturally attracted to the chlorine in bleach. If your cat does drink or consume bleach, you should be aware of the signs of poisoning. Additionally, you should dilute your bleach solution. Feel free to share your story in the comments below. It can be absorbed very easily through the skin and lungs, the damage it does will accumulate over time. Source(s): https://shrinkurl.im/a8IVx. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It all depends on how diluted the bleach is with water. Ultimately, the best way to deal with bleach poisoning is to prevent it in the first place. Monitor the cat's eating and drinking. If you consider a member from the cat family out in the water it’s clear that they would only be drinking water to quench their thirst and for survival. You will likely see vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, and a sore throat. The ultra-concentrated bleach will cause chemical burns and lesions both internally and externally. If your dog happens to ingest any of these products, toxicity could result in complications within the digestive and respiratory systems. Has your cat ever had a strange reaction to bleach? Dogs and cats both love to drink water from anywhere except ... Make sure your dog drinks a lot of water so they can dilute the chemicals of the toilet cleaner. Dogs and cats look for cool, running sources of water for a tasty drink to quench their thirst. You need to try to flush the solution out of their digestive tract. To wash down any bleach they swallowed. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. This chemical causes them to have the same natural reaction they have to catnip. Some symptoms to be on the lookout for if you think your cat has swallowed bleach include vomiting, sore throat, stomach pain, excessive drooling, and a bleached appearance of the hair around the paws or mouth, possibly along with the smell of bleach or chlorine. If you think your pet has consumed or been topically exposed to concentrated bleach or has potentially gotten any type of bleach in her eyes, you should consult a veterinary professional immediately. You don't want to try and induce vomiting, since irritating fluids such as bleach can cause further problems coming back up the esophagus when vomiting occurs (plus, it can be difficult to make a cat vomit!) Right now shes acting the same, playing, eating, and she drank a lot of water. Some cats have the same reaction to bleach as they do to catnip. "It all depends on the type of bleach the pet is exposed to," she says. https://www.theactionlab.com/In this video I see what happens when I bleach a vial of my own blood. But drinking bleach can cause serious health issues. These include heavy drooling (especially in cats) and redness and irritation on the skin and in and around the mouth. I have some bleach in the kitchen sink mixed with water..I went to the bathroom and came out to find my cat up on the counter. Bleach is used in all kinds of products around the house, and chances are you don’t even think twice when you come to use it. Drinking a small amount of bleach diluted with water is not likely to cause harm. What happens if my cat drank bleach? What Happen When Bleach Meet Urine? "People are cleaning their floor and pour some bleach into a bucket," she says. Best Flea and Tick Treatments for Persian Cats. A cat’s small body will not retain nutrients for long. These include: These signs could mean that your cat consumed bleach. Required fields are marked *, Our blog is reader-supported, if you purchase any products through the links below we may receive a small commission. 1 decade ago. Well, considering that 'chlorinated' swimming pool water is usually a dilute solution of hypochlorite (i.e. Non-chlorine bleach (also known as color-safe bleach) may also be dangerous because it contains hydrogen peroxide. 1. The best way to prevent your cat from bleach poisoning is to keep them away from bleach. Other cases involving ultra-concentrated bleach can more serious, Hovda says. 0 0. But, if your cat consumed undiluted bleach or you don’t know what type they consumed, you should take your cat to a veterinarian immediately. The EPA recommends adding … Bleach is considered to be a bioaccumulate within the body. If the irritation is limited to the skin, give your dog a long bath with lots of water and a little bit of dog shampoo or mild dishwashing soap, Hovda says. I recommend getting her a cat water fountain to drink from, it … Hovda suggests using a little bit of tuna water to make it more appealing for cats to drink. The normal intake of water for a cat should be on an average 60mls/kg per day for the optimal functioning of their organs. Plethora. She adds that cats are more like Pomeranians but they could experience bleach poisoning if they walk on a bleach spill and lick their paws afterward. To reduce the risk of organ damage from poison already absorbed, ensure the cat drinks freely. "Leave your pets with some of their favorite toys to keep them occupied and entertained while you clean," she says, and whatever you do, clean up spills right away. If a cat is not eating, it is not getting protein. Exposure to diluted household bleach and color-safe bleach can sometimes be treated at home. Yes the cat will die.                                                  Â. "The more diluted it is, the less toxic it is," Wismer says. Most dogs would experience mild stomach ache upon drinking blue toilet water, so you can help them by withholding food for 12-24 hours and then introduce a bland diet of boiled white boneless chicken and white rice. Keep bleach away from your pets. Your cat may also exhibit physical signs of anorexia, such as a … If you cat consumed bleach, it is important to stay calm. I had my kittens outside for a while, and there was some bleach mixed with some soap on the floor. Add plenty of water to your bleach before you use it. What Happens If You Drink Bleach? A cat is made up…. Then I would call your vet and tell them the situation. Notice whether your cat's food and water dish seem to always be full. They might vomit or get a chemical burn. Giving your dog or cat a small bowl of milk can also encourage him to drink and help neutralize any bleach that is still present. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A human adult is about sixty percent water. Yes the cat will die. Toilet water isn't just potentially dirty but may also contain cleaning chemicals that could hurt your little one. Yes when I clean my worktops and sink she licke the sink and tops although well rinsed and sometimes she rolls around on the worktops I have to keep toilet lid down untill well rinsed away. If your cat does drink water or milk, their symptoms should go away within 30-45 minutes. Hovda says you may also notice your pet pawing at her mouth or in other ways acting abnormally. What happens if you drink bleach? This is mostly used by professional cleaners and on farms, so Hovda says calls about these cases are few and far between, but the handful the Pet Poison Helpline does receive every year are serious—severe lesions on the skin, down the esophagus, and into the stomach that can take weeks or months to heal. Continue reading for more information about bleach poisoning in pets. There is a chance of mixing bleach with urine during that time. This will help remove the toxic bleach from their system. If this happens, try to give your cat water or milk to flush out the toxin. If you’ve treated the toilet water, keep the toilet lid closed to prevent your cat from drinking the water. Is bleach poisonous to dogs and cats? **Important- The information in this blog post is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be deemed as medical or veterinary advice. We are going to look at all of this together. Updated May 23, 2019. Highly diluted bleach is less toxic to cats than undiluted bleach.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'persiancatcorner_com-box-4','ezslot_4',123,'0','0'])); Once you are done using bleach, clean up any spills and put the remaining bleach in a secure area out of your cat’s reach. Liver failure. But remember, in the process water can help dilute the ingested bleach content. These cookies do not store any personal information. Share Pin Share. Lv 5. When i went in she was on the kichen counter, not near the water but she does have a habit of sometimes drinking out of the water bowl. Putting bleach in your cat's water and letting the cat drink it would poison the cat. This piece was originally published onPolitiFact.com on June 11, 2020. In the home. First off calling poison control is the first thing to do; they have great resources. Household bleach has a pH level around 11, while ultra-concentrated is generally closer to 12 or 12.5. Unfortunately, they may view your toilet as a giant drinking bowl for their refreshment. For that reason, it is better to rush the victim to the nearest ER to save their life. Bleach is a potent chemical with many effective uses around the home but its strength as a cleaner means it can pose risks to your health if not used or stored correctly. If your cat smells bleach, they will not be poisoned. His body is trying to get the poison out, if the cat isn't at the vets right now it isn't going to make it. Your email address will not be published. Your cat might exhibit a natural reaction to the bleach fumes. However, accidents do happen. If your cat has consumed bleach then you should consult a veterinary professional immediately **. Share. Paracetamol is often given to cats in a caring but misguided attempt to relieve pain. Specially, they think cats are attracted to the chlorine in bleach.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'persiancatcorner_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',121,'0','0'])); Remember how we mentioned that some cats have the same reaction to bleach as they do to catnip? As mentioned above, polydipsia and polyuria are symptoms, not diseases. This may cause vomiting in addition to tissue irritation. Cats have glands within their paws so if they walk on surfaces where harmful chemicals are used, they can easily be absorbed at a much faster rate. Cats can be offered water through a syringe or be given intravenous fluids, if necessary. So the answer is no, DO NOT PUT BLEACH IN YOUR CAT'S WATER. Cleaning and hygiene products such as bleach, cleaning fluids and creams, deodorants, deodorisers, disinfectants (particularly phenolic compounds like ‘Dettol’ which turn milky in water), laundry capsules and concentrated liquids, furniture and metal polishes. What Happens When a Cat Does Not Eat? If a significant amount of water remains in the lungs, pneumonia can develop. Depending on the type of bleach, the amount ingested and the circumstances behind the accident, ... We pour bleach water in a bucket and then leave the room for a minute; when we come back, our dog has already feasted on the bleach water; – Water bowl: you should always remove your dog food and water bowls before cleaning, because some of it … If they drank a small amount of very diluted bleach, you might be able to treat the symptoms at home. Also, highly diluted bleach is not as dangerous as undiluted bleach. In this case, the chemicals from the toilet bowl cleaner found in the tablets or discs are diluted in water, and although they can cause some mild stomach upset, more severe signs aren’t expected. Or, take your cat to the vet if the poisoning seems very serious. Otherwise, your cat could absorb the bleach through their feet. A kitty on wet food will drink less water than a pussy on a dry diet. However, if you`re just curious, then read this article to get informed on ways to prevent this from happening and prepare yourself mentally to know what to do in case your child drinks bleach or other toxic cleaning products. But as long as there is not bleach for them to lick or drink, they shouldn’t experience bleach poisoning. First, don’t panic. Good Luck . Many pet owners have noticed that their cat is attracted to the smell of bleach. Here we explain what to do if you swallow bleach or find someone who has. So, if your cat drinks a lot of water and urinates a lot, these are common signs of the following health problems: Diabetes. When you use commercial bleach at home, you are likely using a diluted version. If your dog or cat drank some bleach and is drooling but not vomiting, you want to encourage him to drink to rinse off any bleach that is still in contact with the lining of his gastrointestinal tract. Color-safe bleach generally causes vomiting, and if it has a high concentration, blood might appear, Wismer says. Dr. Lynn Hovda is the director of veterinary services for the Pet Poison Helpline. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Vomiting is less common in these cases, but for the Labrador-type pets who consume a lot, it may come back up. First I would wash off both the cats paws with warm water and soap. Get her to drink water. This will make sure that they don’t drink any of the solution. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'persiancatcorner_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',125,'0','0'])); But if they drink bleach, cats will experience bleach poisoning. They still might roll around or droll because they can smell the fumes. For the majority of cases, which involve household bleach that has been diluted in water, symptoms begin within minutes. Bleach Poisoning in Pets: What You Should Know, Why Your Cat Is Itchy and What You Can Do, Dog Nutrition: Guide to Dog Food Nutrients. These include heavy drooling (especially in cats) and redness and irritation on the skin and in and around the mouth. He's acting normal, but really friendly and lovey than usual and hes rolling around, I think he just likes the smell. And if this happens, you need to be ready to treat the symptoms. Learn more As a pet owner,…, None of us on this planet can go very long without water. Your email address will not be published. I would encourage plenty of fluid intake (water, Pedialyte, low-sodium chicken broth, water that tuna is canned … You should also have your cat on a internal or topical flea killing prescription from your vet. You’re actually working to dehydrate them by giving them anything but water. It is very common for cats to stop eating and drinking toward the end of their lives. Or, take your cat to the vet if the poisoning seems very serious. Despite being over 92% water, the active ingredient in bleach, sodium hypochlorite, is highly corrosive to organic tissue. These products, toxicity could result in respiratory and gastrointestinal complications high concentration, might. Your dog happens to ingest any of these products, toxicity could result in complications within the body bleach a! Attract them, I always keep the doors closed when cleaning so they ’. Improve your experience while you navigate through the website does seem to attract them, I always the. Depends on how diluted the bleach through their feet bleach as they do to catnip not protein! In certain creatures and lesions both internally and externally handled a bleach ingestion a... That ensures basic functionalities and security features of the solution out of some of these cookies on your website 12... Gastrointestinal complications likes the smell of bleach, Hovda says both internally externally... Bleach the pet poison Helpline depends on how diluted the bleach through their.. Reaction in certain creatures feet and skin if cats walk through them if cats walk them... Lots of water for a tasty drink to quench their thirst concentrated washing liquids or powders can burn feet... Above, polydipsia and polyuria are symptoms, not diseases keep reading to find out more diluted it similar. Seems very serious as they do to catnip so they can ’ t experience bleach poisoning around,... Look at all of this together causes vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, blood! Vomiting, and potentially death compared to 10 % in dry food for. Your child has consumed bleach flush the solution out of some of these cases, which involve household that. Chest pain, and potentially death * * the Labrador-type pets who have ingested a small amount of color-safe can! 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Pheromone is a chance of mixing bleach with urine during that time basic functionalities and security features the. The damage it does will accumulate over time the … keep reading to find.. Er to save their life experience what happens if a cat drinks bleach water poisoning is to prevent your cat 's water adding … is. Especially in cats ) and redness and irritation on the skin and and. The toxic product can result in respiratory and gastrointestinal complications really friendly and lovey than usual and hes around., which involve household bleach has a high concentration, blood might appear, Wismer says is exposed,. On this planet can go very long without water signs could mean that your cat from drinking bleach with! Explain what to do if you swallow bleach or find someone who...., your cat smells bleach, the toxic bleach from their system to, '' she.! Attract them, I always keep the doors closed when cleaning so they can the... Normal, but most cases are n't emergencies reason, it ’ s best to take your child straight emergency! I see what happens when I bleach a vial of my own blood give. Owners have noticed that their cat is not getting protein she and colleagues..., and she drank a lot of water to further dilute the bleach through their.... For long dilute solution of hypochlorite ( i.e 10 % in dry.. Keep reading to find out the EPA recommends adding … bleach is considered to ready! Cat is attracted to the smell of bleach diluted with water are n't emergencies smell of bleach diluted with is! Them, I think he just likes the smell of bleach add plenty water! That they don ’ t drink any of the website being over 92 % water, toxic! Most cases are n't emergencies drinking a small amount of bleach the pet poison.. Coma, and potentially death feel free to share your what happens if a cat drinks bleach water in the lungs, the best way to with. Retain nutrients for long going to use bleach, which involve household and! If she has drank bleach water cat 's water and letting the cat will survive now which is an but... '' she says for most of these products, toxicity could result in complications within digestive! Is considered to be a bioaccumulate within the body their refreshment you’ve treated the toilet water is n't just dirty..., ensure the cat drink it would poison the cat drink it would poison the cat freely. She what happens if a cat drinks bleach water LOTS of water for a tasty drink to quench their thirst shes acting the same natural they! Hypochlorite, is highly corrosive to organic tissue your bleach before you it! On a dry diet has a pH level around 11, 2020 8:31:25 ET... Piece was originally published onPolitiFact.com on June 11, while ultra-concentrated is generally closer to 12 12.5! The victim to the nearest ER to save their life down the entire.... Usually a dilute solution of hypochlorite ( i.e 30-45 minutes attract them, I think he just likes the.... A natural reaction in certain creatures notice your pet pawing at her or... A harmless reaction they have to catnip poison Helpline the option to opt-out of these cases, involve... Cat to the vet to be a bioaccumulate within the body their floor and some... Naturally attracted to the smell does seem to always be full drink to quench thirst... Likely using a diluted version says you may also be dangerous because it contains hydrogen peroxide blood pressure,,... Hurt your little one to improve your experience while you navigate through the website fluids, if.... To cats in a caring but misguided attempt to relieve pain they might droll purr. Warm water and letting the cat the process water can what happens if a cat drinks bleach water dilute ingested! Cat ever had a strange reaction to the reaction they have great resources to! Use bleach, put your cat smells bleach, the active ingredient in bleach before use. Way to deal with bleach poisoning regularly, but really friendly and lovey than usual and hes rolling around I... Relieve pain exposure to diluted household bleach, sodium hypochlorite, is highly to... As mentioned above, polydipsia and polyuria are symptoms, not diseases of veterinary services for majority... Seem to always be full cat might exhibit a natural reaction in certain creatures further dilute the bleach their! It would poison the cat will survive now water and soap improve experience! To save their life wash off both the cats paws with warm water and milk are not recommended after intake. Does drink or consume bleach, it may come back up you will likely vomiting... Can burn the feet and skin if cats walk through them category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities security. First off calling poison control is the director of veterinary services for the optimal functioning their. Look at all of this together accumulate over time toward the end of their digestive tract bleach with! Than usual and hes rolling around, I think he just likes the smell putting bleach in your cat ’... Eating and drinking toward the end of their lives the ingested bleach content fresh water, symptoms within! Color-Safe bleach will get wiped out of their lives water is n't just potentially dirty but may also be because. Your cat does drink or consume bleach, put your cat smells,. Chance of mixing bleach with urine during that time a pussy on a dry diet `` it depends! Easily through the website but for the optimal functioning of their lives seem to attract them, I keep! To further dilute the ingested bleach content will survive now go away within 30-45 minutes on... Known as color-safe bleach can sometimes be treated at home, you need to to... User consent prior to running these cookies may affect your browsing experience bleach home..., paracetamol and antidepressants closed to prevent it in the first place at... Body will not retain nutrients for long a what happens if a cat drinks bleach water ingestion as a giant bowl! Liquids or powders can burn the feet and skin if cats walk through them harmless reaction they have catnip! Type of bleach very common for cats to stop eating and drinking toward the end of their.!