Why does my cat like the concrete?

Why do cats like the taste of antifreeze?

Even worse, cats are attracted to ethylene glycol and will seek it out. While it’s still a little unclear why cats like the taste of antifreeze so much, it’s sadly a common issue. Some suggest that cats like the sweet flavor of it but cats can’t actually taste sweet so there’s likely something else that compels our cats to go after antifreeze.

How much antifreeze will kill a cat?

Antifreeze is sweet, so cats like the taste. But a lethal dose is reported to be around 1 to 1.4 ml per kg of bodyweight. That means just one 5ml teaspoon could be enough to kill a cat.

Can cats taste antifreeze?

It has a sweet taste which makes it appealing to dogs (and children) but, as you may know, cats can’t actually taste “sweet”. None-the-less they still appear to be attracted by the taste of antifreeze. This is a real problem as it doesn’t take much antifreeze to be poisonous to cats as I’ll discuss later.

What is the most common source of antifreeze in cats?

The most common use of antifreeze is in cars, either in radiator fluid, screenwash and some de-icers. Understandably then the most common source of antifreeze poisoning in cats is from garages, driveways and workshops.

What should I do if my cat has antifreeze poisoning?

Immediate treatment is absolutely critical in cases of antifreeze poisoning in cats: you need to get your pet to the vet as an absolute emergency, without delay. You may wish to call a pet poison helpline on your way to the emergency veterinarian, to prepare yourself for the questions that you may be asked later.

How much antifreeze is toxic to cats?

Antifreeze (ethylene glycol): Antifreeze is a common cause of poisoning in small animals. Cats will seek out antifreeze as they find its smell and taste appealing. A lethal dose of antifreeze is 1.5ml/kg.

Do Cats drink antifreeze because it tastes sweet?

I thought this made sense, since cats are carnivores and have no benefit to tasting sweetness, but a friend called BS, citing the common statement that cats are prone to drinking antifreeze because it tastes sweet.

What to do if your cat eats antifreeze?

Antifreeze poisoning is a common problem in cats, more commonly seen in the winter months. Ideally, the problem should be prevented by careful use of antifreeze chemicals, but if a cat is known to ingest this substance, prompt action by taking the cat to the emergency veterinarian is essential and can be life-saving.

Is antifreeze toxic to cats?

Sadly, antifreeze is hugely toxic to cats, and every year cats across Britain are seriously ill or die from antifreeze poisoning. Why would my cat drink antifreeze? The toxic component of antifreeze is called ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste, which means animals and even children can be drawn to it.

What kind of antifreeze is toxic to cats?

Ethylene Glycol. Unfortunately, ethylene glycol poisoning is commonly seen in cats. Ethylene glycol is the compound in most types of antifreeze and is also present in other products. It smells and tastes sweet, so cats will drink it from puddles and spills on the ground.

What are the signs and symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in cats?

The signs and symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in cats can be broken down into 3 stages: Stage 1 starts as early as 30 minutes after consuming the poison and lasts up to about 12 hours post ingestion. It is characterised by nervous signs including incoordination, wobbliness, disorientation and mental depression.

What is antifreeze and where does it come from?

What is antifreeze and and where is is found? The main active ingredient in antifreeze is a chemical known as ethylene glycol, and it is this that is poisonous. Don’t confuse this with propylene glycol which is a completely different chemical that is found in many products as well as certain foods and drinks.

What should I do if my cat drinks antifreeze?

If you do suspect your cat has drunk antifreeze then you should call your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now emergency clinic, straight away. If the cat is treated immediately after exposure it has a far greater chance of survival. Your cat will, however, need intensive treatment.

How long does it take for antifreeze to kill a cat?

Clearly you want to know your cat has been poisoned with antifreeze before this point. The signs and symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in cats can be broken down into 3 stages: Stage 1 starts as early as 30 minutes after consuming the poison and lasts up to about 12 hours post ingestion.

Can Cats drink water with antifreeze in it?

Cats like drinking from ditches, puddles and ponds which means they’re prone to drinking water contaminated with antifreeze. Officially known as ethylene glycol, antifreeze is also found in some inks and snowglobes. What are the symptoms of cat antifreeze poisoning?

How much ethylene glycol is toxic to cats?

Ethylene glycol has a very narrow margin of safety – which means that a cat could easily drink a toxic dose. As little as one eighth of a teaspoon of undiluted antifreeze per pound of body weight can result in fatality. What are the signs of ethylene glycol poisoning? Ethylene glycol poisoning is divided into three stages.

What happens if a cat eats antifreeze?

Worse, the chemical tastes as sweet as it smells, making it more likely poor kitty will ingest it. When your car uses antifreeze, the antifreeze becomes contaminated with potentially hazardous metals, such as lead, zinc, copper, chromium and cadmium.

Is antifreeze toxic to dogs if ingested?

When your car uses antifreeze, the antifreeze becomes contaminated with potentially hazardous metals, such as lead, zinc, copper, chromium and cadmium. While these obviously pose a risk to your pet, the ethylene glycol is typically the culprit in cases of antifreeze poisoning.

What happens if a cat drinks ethylene glycol?

Cats may be attracted to ethylene glycol by its sweet taste. Many animals will voluntarily drink ethylene glycol if antifreeze is spilled or leaks onto garage floors or driveways. Ethylene glycol has a very narrow margin of safety – which means only a tiny amount can result in severe poisoning.

What does antifreeze taste like for dogs?

Ethylene glycol gives antifreeze a sweet tasting flavor. The deceptively sweet flavor is attractive to cats and dogs who may have access to an area in the house, garage, or backyard with antifreeze. Despite its sweet taste, antifreeze is a poison and potentially deadly when consumed by cats or dogs.

What happens if a dog eats antifreeze?

Despite its sweet taste, antifreeze is a poison and potentially deadly when consumed by cats or dogs. When consumed, ethylene glycol causes metabolic acidosis, or the acidification of the blood.

What does antifreeze taste like to cats?

The toxic component of antifreeze is called ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste, which means animals and even children can be drawn to it. Cats do not taste ‘sweetness’ in the same way we do, but still find drinking ethylene glycol attractive.

What are the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in cats?

1 Toxicity. What makes antifreeze so toxic to cats? … 2 Symptoms. At first, the poisoned cat may just seem out of sorts — as if he’s disoriented or clumsy. … 3 Poisoning. When a cat — or person, since ethylene glycol is toxic to mammals in general — drinks antifreeze, his body breaks it down into oxalic acid. 4 Treatment.

Is antifreeze safe for cats?

We’re here to help… Antifreeze is found in car radiators and some screen washes, but it is extremely toxic to cats. Cats like drinking from ditches, puddles and ponds which means they’re prone to drinking water contaminated with antifreeze. Officially known as ethylene glycol, antifreeze is also found in some inks and snowglobes.

How much ethylene glycol will kill a cat?

It is ethylene glycol, a chemical commonly used in antifreeze. Antifreeze is said to be swee t and animals like to eat or drink it. But ingestion of antifreeze can often be fatal if it’s not immediately treated. Even a relatively small amount can prove lethal: one teaspoon (1.4ml) is enough to kill a cat.