Mary Allen
Permethrin works quickly, safely, and easily on dogs. In cats, it can cause severe poisoning and even death. You have to know that!
Permethrin is a highly effective antiparasitic agent. Both fleas and ticks, mites, and other unwanted guests on our pets perish from the remedy. The substance is also contained here and there in remedies against head lice in humans.
Dog owners, in particular, like to use flea and tick repellents with this active ingredient. It is effective and many medicines containing this substance have been available over the counter since 2018, so you can buy permethrin without a prescription.
But this is exactly where the danger lies: Since animal owners can buy the medicines without advice, the consequences can sometimes be fatal. And not for the dog, but for cats. The substance is poisonous to them!
What is permethrin?
Permethrin is a powerful neurotoxin. It works particularly well against parasites. It belongs to the group of pyrethroids, i.e. to synthetic insecticides.
How does permethrin work?
Permethrin is fat soluble. As a result, the substance can easily overcome the chitin armor of the parasites and attack the central nervous system of the animals.
To put it simply, the direct effect is on the nerve cells of the parasites. Here, uncontrolled nerve impulses are triggered upon contact with the poison. Further processes in the nerve cells lead to coordination disorders, paralysis, and the death of the parasites.
Why is permethrin toxic to cats?
Dogs tolerate contact with the active substance without any problems. In them, the body’s own enzyme glucuronidase transferase breaks down the toxin. The parasites have already died by then.
Cats only have a very small amount of this enzyme. They can therefore not metabolize permethrin and suffer massive symptoms of poisoning on contact.
How dangerous is permethrin for cats?
Permethrin is potentially fatal to cats.
What symptoms does permethrin cause in cats?
The following symptoms are possible indicators of permethrin poisoning in cats:
- paralysis
- heavy salivation
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
- cramps
- difficulty breathing
- Tremble
How quickly do the symptoms appear?
How quickly the cat shows symptoms of permethrin poisoning depends on how it came into contact with the substance.
- Absorption through the skin. If the cat was accidentally treated with permethrin and only came into contact with it through the skin, it can take up to three days for symptoms to appear.
- Absorption through the mucous membranes. However, absorption via the mucous membranes is much more likely. If the cat itself or a dog or dogs in the same household has been treated with permethrin and the cat licks itself or the dog buddy, the symptoms often appear within a few hours. Then you must act immediately!
You should do this if you suspect permethrin poisoning
If you notice symptoms in your cat that indicate poisoning with permethrin, consult a veterinarian immediately! If you notice the signs on a weekend or holiday, drive to the nearest veterinary clinic or see a vet that is open on those days.
Your cat’s life is at stake. Therefore, do not wait, but seek immediate veterinary advice. In this way, your cat quickly gets the medical help that may save its life.
How can you protect your cat?
Permethrin poisoning in cats is fairly easy to prevent. Keep these things in mind when protecting against fleas and ticks:
- Look at the ingredients. If you buy an over-the-counter remedy against parasites, be sure to check what substances it contains. Only buy products that are approved for cats. If you hold such a product in your hands, still look at the ingredients to be on the safe side. Under no circumstances should you use a product on your cat that contains permethrin!
- Inform your veterinarian. If there are dogs and cats in your household and your vet will prescribe a flea and tick remedy for your dog, be sure to let him or her know that you also have a cat. Then the veterinarian will prescribe a product without permethrin.
- Distance rules. If, for a specific reason, your dog has to or should be given an agent with the active ingredient, which is highly dangerous for cats, make sure to keep it away from your cat for at least 72 hours. Otherwise, the active ingredient could be transferred to them and lead to life-threatening symptoms of poisoning.