What to do if your cat eats silica gel

Written by Michael Fisher. Reviewed by Dr.

Joanna Woodnutt. Cats are curious and love to play. The trouble is, cat-proofing your house is difficult. Sometimes this leads to serious complications. As pet parents, it can be a challenge to work out what is dangerous and what is not. So, is silica gel dangerous for cats?

What to do if your cat eats silica gel

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If your cat is vomiting or has diarrhea after eating silica gel but is still eating and behaving normally, your vet might simply treat your cat for an upset stomach. They are even found in some vitamin bottles to help keep the pills dry and fresh.

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Joanna Woodnutt. Cats are curious and love to play. The trouble is, cat-proofing your house is difficult. Sometimes this leads to serious complications. As pet parents, it can be a challenge to work out what is dangerous and what is not. So, is silica gel dangerous for cats? Silica gel is a water-absorbing material used in packaging to keep products dry. It comes in little paper bags or plastic tubes, and the contents look like tiny clear beads. Silica gel is found in a range of goods, from salami to handbags. Any product that will spoil if it gets moist will likely be packaged with silica gel.

What to do if your cat eats silica gel

If your cat accidentally ate silica gel , you should contact your veterinarian or animal poison control center as soon as you can. Your cat may suffer from gastrointestinal issues varying from a mild case of diarrhea to severe problems like intestinal blockages. While clear silica gel is not outright toxic to humans or pets, if your cat ate the entire package, it could pose a choking hazard or gastrointestinal threat. If your cat ate a drying agent, try to see if you can entice your cat to rest and drink fluids. The silica gel will most likely pass through their stool. These symptoms may be a sign of a digestive obstruction. Contact your vet as soon as possible to get further advice.

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You should call your veterinarian if your cat shows any of these signs after eating silica gel. Who Moved My Cheese? Reviewed by Dr. If your cat is panicked and unable to breathe, you must get them to a veterinarian as an absolute emergency. She has written about pets and their health for many blogs, pet magazines and pet websites and loves to help readers understand their pets through her writing. Learn more ». So, is silica gel dangerous for cats? If they are going to be unwell, it will probably happen between a few hours and a couple of days after the gel is eaten. The risk of the surgery depends on where in the gut the obstruction is and how long it has been there. The gel is not toxic even in large quantities, but it might irritate the gut and cause vomiting or diarrhea.

Silica gel comes in many products we buy, including shoes, medications, and more. You probably have silica gel laying around the house somewhere! Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes.

Reviewed by Dr. Learn more ». If your cat is vomiting or has diarrhea after eating silica gel but is still eating and behaving normally, your vet might simply treat your cat for an upset stomach. Eating silica gel in packets could cause a tummy upset, so you need to be cautious. So, the best advice is to keep silica gel packets away from your cat. Shopping Cart. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. She has written about pets and their health for many blogs, pet magazines and pet websites and loves to help readers understand their pets through her writing. Usually, silica gel packets are small. Looking for answers for your furry friend? Cat-safe toys are a much better choice.