Janis, we advise exercising great caution when using any chemical product to eradicate rodents. If an animal ingests a rodenticide, potentially serious or even life-threatening problems can result, which may include bleeding, seizures, or even damage to the kidneys and other vital organs. One possible alternative to chemical rodenticides would be the use of live traps to capture and relocate rodents.
If you choose to use a chemical rodenticide, it is important to place the product in areas that are completely inaccessible to companion animals. As there are many different types of rodenticide, it is important to have the container or package information readily available when obtaining veterinary help should an accidental exposure occur. This way, a proper identification of the product’s ingredients can be made for appropriate treatment.
People often ask what could happen if a pet eats a rodent who has been poisoned by a chemical rodenticide. In general, poisonings resulting from the consumption of rats or other rodents who have ingested most commercially available rodenticides are not typically a concern in most companion animals, unless their staple diet consists mainly of rodents. (With cats who are on "rodent patrol" in a barn, however, this could possibly be the case.) The greater concern generally involves the potential risk of disease transmission or gastrointestinal problems from bacteria as a result of eating dead wildlife. Because of this, we typically do not advocate allowing pets to consume rats, mice or other wild creatures.
I’ve heard that rat poison doesn’t really affect cats the way it affects dogs. Why is this?
—Anna S.
Anna, I’m afraid that what you’ve heard is not true. If a cat, dog or any other animal ingests enough of a rodenticide, potentially serious problems may result. These may include bleeding, seizures, or even damage to the kidneys and other vital organs. Generally speaking, cats are just as susceptible to rodenticide poisoning as other pets.
One possible alternative to chemical rodenticides is live traps to capture and relocate rodents. If you choose to use a chemical rodenticide, it is important to place the product in an area that is completely inaccessible to companion animals. Should an accidental exposure occur, it is important to have the container or package information readily available when obtaining veterinary help, as there are many different types of rodenticides. That way, a proper identification of the product’s ingredients can be made and the appropriate treatment can be given.