Has your cat eaten a birth control pill? Are you worried the birth control pill will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when our kitties eat something they shouldn’t.
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In this article, we’ll take a look at birth control pills and whether or not they can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!
What are Birth Control Pills?
Birth control pills are prescription medications that are taken to prevent pregnancy. The pills contain hormones and are taken by mouth.
The pills contain estrogen and progestin, which are hormones that are natural to the body. The hormones in the birth control pills work by keeping the body from ovulating, keep the fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus, and more.
While birth control pills are safe for most people, can they make your cat sick?
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Birth Control Pills & Cats
Most birth control pills contain low amounts of hormones. So, if your cat happens to eat one (or even more), chances are she may be OK, or she could develop nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The main problem here is if your cat has eaten any of the product packaging. The packaging could cause an obstruction, which can be a life-threatening medical problem.
The other problem is if the cat has eaten a very large number of the pills (more than one or two packages). If a cat eats enough birth control pills, it’s possible the pills can cause changes in the bone marrow, which can make a cat very sick. However, your cat would have to eat hundreds of pills for that to happen.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Birth Control Pill Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten a birth control pill:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
These symptoms should not last too long—no longer than 24 hours. If they last longer, then it’s a good idea to call the vet and let him know what’s happened. They will advise you on the next steps.
If your cat has eaten the birth control packaging, she may show these symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Pain (may also growl, hide, and not want to be touched)
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite (may also not want to drink)
- Weight loss
- Drooling/lip smacking/constant swallowing
If your cat shows any of these symptoms, then call the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency. Do not wait to see if symptoms will ease up or get better. A bowel obstruction needs to be treated promptly in order to save the cat’s life.
Your fur baby may require emergency surgery to remove the blockage. In most cases, cats will make a full recovery if they’ve received prompt medical care.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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