If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources listed:
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergents are poisonous to cats and dogs. Detergents while commonly used in the household, contain corrosive agents that can lead to injuries. This is mainly seen in cats who have walked through spilled detergent, then groom and consume it later on.
Signs and symptoms of toxicity: drooling, burns in mouth, pawing at the mouth, lack of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, and difficulty breathing.
Toxic Consumption: There is no established threshold for toxicity. The biggest concern it that affected pets will develop aspiration pneumonitis. Pets should be monitored closely for onset of respiratory signs for the first 12-24 hours. If signs develop, the animal should be taken to the veterinary clinic or local animal ER.
References:
– Understanding and Treating Laundry Detergent Ingestion. ASPCApro. [updated 1/19. accessed 8/20/19] https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/understanding-and-treating-laundry-detergent-ingestion
– Detergents. Pet Poison Helpline. [updated 1/19. accessed 8/20/19] https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/detergents/
Pet Poison Control is provided free as a public service by the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists. Today we’re asking you to support us with a small donation. If you would like to dedicate your gift in honor or memory of a pet or individual, you will have that option before checkout. Your gift of any amount helps us maintain this resource and make it available to the pharmacy and veterinary communities. Thank you!
