Toxic to cats · Insecticides

Is Pyrethrins & Pyrethroids toxic to cats?

Extreme severity No safe amount — No amount is considered safe.

Yes. Even a small amount can be life-threatening — treat any exposure as an emergency and contact a vet immediately.

Symptoms to watch for

  • profuse drooling
  • vomiting
  • tremoring
  • hyperexcitability
  • agitation
  • seizures
  • weakness
  • difficulty breathing
  • paresthesia
  • tingling sensation
  • scratching

How vets treat it

Prompt removal of the product by bathing with a liquid dish soap (like Dawn, Joy, or Palmolive) to remove the greasy substance from the skin and haircoat; seek immediate veterinary care.

Why it's dangerous

These chemicals are derived from Chrysanthemum flowers or synthetic versions that cats cannot metabolize efficiently, leading to neurotoxicity. Exposure often occurs through inappropriate application of dog-specific flea medications or grooming of treated dogs.

Toxic compound: Permethrin

Good to know

Cats are very sensitive and cannot metabolize these drugs as well as dogs; dog flea and tick medications should never be applied to cats.

Sources

This page is informational and is not veterinary advice. If your pet has been exposed to something risky, contact your vet or an animal poison control line right away.

More substances toxic to cats

Amitraz Extreme severity Organophosphates Extreme severity Everything toxic to cats →

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