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Many pet parents keep activated carbon (charcoal) around the house. It’s a common remedy for stomach issues or in cases of poisoning. But what happens if a curious cat eats activated carbon? Can activated carbon make a cat sick?
Has your cat eaten activated carbon? Are you worried the activated carbon will make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something like this.
We’ve put together some information about activated carbon and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Activated Carbon?
Activated carbon is made from coal, wood, and other substances. It is “activated charcoal” when high temperatures are combined with gas or an activating agent to expand its surface area.
This substance is sometimes used to treat humans and animals in cases of poisoning. The substance works to bind toxins and medications to it, which helps the body get rid of these toxic substances.
But what happens if a cat eats activated carbon? Can activated carbon make a cat sick?
Activated Carbon & Cats
Activated carbon is safe for cats suffering from poisonous or toxic substances. However, if a cat is eating activated carbon, it could be she’s suffering from an underlying medical condition. This could be due to the lack of essential nutrients in your fur baby’s diet.
Cats may eat activated charcoal for the following reasons:
- Liver issues
- Anemia
- A problem with the central nervous system
- And more
So, if your cat is eating activated charcoal, it’s time to make an appointment with the vet. She could be suffering from a health issue that needs to be diagnosed and treated right away.
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If you need to use activated charcoal to treat your cat, it’s always best to do so with the vet’s guidance and instructions. In addition, it’s crucial that your cat is hydrated before the activated carbon is administered.
The substance must be put into the cat’s mouth with a syringe slowly so that the cat can swallow between mouthfuls. This keeps the cat from aspirating the activated carbon into her lungs. If the activated carbon reaches her lungs, it could cause aspiration pneumonia, which can be life-threatening.
So, if your cat is eating activated carbon, then do call the vet as soon as possible. It’s important to find out what’s causing your kitty to eat activated charcoal!
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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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