Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
As pet parents, we must remember that some dogs and certain dog breeds are more prone to attacking small animals, including cats. These fur babies may have a stronger prey drive that they can’t help avoid. It’s not uncommon for one of our canine fur babies to attack and eat their “sibling” cat.
It’s traumatic for pet parents when this happens. However, it’s essential to know what to do when this happens. The first thing is to ensure that your dog is OK. There’s nothing more you can do for your cat at this point. That’s hard to hear, but it is essential to make sure your canine companion is OK.
Has your dog eaten your cat? Are you worried the cat will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. First, we’d like to extend our sympathies. This is a very tragic situation. We understand this is a very challenging time, and you’re also worried about your dog and his wellbeing.
We’ve put together some information about what can happen if your dog eats a cat and whether he can get sick. Let’s get started.
Can Eating a Cat Make a Dog Sick?
It is possible that a cat could make a dog sick. The main concern is that the bones and tissues could become lodged somewhere in the dog’s digestive tract. This could result in intestinal obstruction. This is a very dangerous condition that can become life-threatening if not treated.
In this situation, we would strongly urge you to call the vet right away and not wait to see if your dog develops any symptoms. It’s best to get your vet’s advice right now rather than wait.
Symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction
You may notice these symptoms if your dog develops an intestinal blockage:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal swelling & pain
- Bloating
- Dehydration
- Restlessness
If your dog has these symptoms, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowTreatment of Intestinal Obstruction in Dogs
Depending on where the blockage is located in your dog’s system, the vet may have to perform surgery to safely remove the obstruction.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment.
Moving forward, it’s a good idea to talk with the vet about your dog’s actions and behavior. It may be that it’s not possible to have other small pets if your dog has a strong prey drive. And this is a more common problem than most pet parents realize. The main thing to understand is that your dog is still your fur baby and needs your love and care as much now as ever.
Again, we’d like to express our condolences at this difficult time.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
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!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
