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Every week, we get a vet to answer your pressing pet questions.
Have a question you’d like to ask a vet? Send your query to [email protected] with the subject line “Vet Q.”
Q: The dog sometimes gets into the cat box and eats some of it. Can he get sick?
Dr. Brittany Cartlidge, AtlasVet DC: Let’s face it: Some dogs will eat anything—including and not limited to cat poop. Which is one of the main reasons I don’t like when dogs lick me on the face. Who knows where their mouth has been?
Cat litter boxes are like boxes of buried treasure to dogs. Cat food is very high in protein and therefore, so is their fecal material. This makes it attractive to dogs. Some dogs also like the taste of the cat litter itself.
Your dog could get intestinal parasites from eating fecal material. Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and Giardia could be transmitted from coprophagy (the medical term for eating fecal material). These parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, weight loss and anemia. Be sure to keep your dog on monthly heartworm prevention, as that also prevents most intestinal parasites, and if the cat goes outside, be sure to have him on preventatives, as well. Theoretically, a dog could also get sick if they ate a large amount of cat litter, since it absorbs moisture and could cause constipation or an obstruction.
You can try to use a baby gate or cat door to allow the cat access to the litter box while keeping the dog out. Training dogs to obey the command “leave it” is also helpful if you can catch them in the act. Lastly, try to clean the litter box after your cat uses it to remove the source of temptation to your dog. Most dogs don’t get sick after eating litter box treasures, but trying to prevent it is a good idea. Especially if you let your dog lick your face.
FAQs
Your dog could get intestinal parasites from eating fecal material. Hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, and Giardia could be transmitted from coprophagy (the medical term for eating fecal material). These parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, weight loss and anemia.
Can kitty litter make a dog sick? ›
If your dog eats cat litter, you will probably notice the symptoms right away. This is because it can cause a blockage in their intestines. Signs you might see include vomiting, a lack of appetite, and abdominal pain. If your dog does eat cat litter, you should take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
What happens if my dog eats out of the litter box? ›
Not only can eating cat poop cause digestive upset for dogs, but it can also be a source of transmission for harmful parasites (e.g., roundworms and bacteria like salmonella). Ouch, and yuk (especially if your dog licks your face)!
What should I do if my dog ate cat litter? ›
If your dog has eaten cat litter or clumping cat litter, keep an eye on them. If they have normal bowel movements, they're probably fine. But if your dog appears to have difficulty pooping, does not poop, or if their poop is abnormal, you should call your veterinarian.
Is my dog allergic to cat litter? ›
It does not matter if your dog has always been around a litter box without any symptoms, allergies can develop over time. If you notice your dog sneezing, has a runny nose, coughing, or anything related, it would be a good idea to take your dog to the veterinarian's for a checkup.
What is litterbox syndrome in dogs? ›
Littermate syndrome often causes aggression in breeds that are not prone to aggressive behaviors. For example, we rarely see aggression in Labradors, but when two Labrador littermates are raised together we see much higher levels of aggression and or fear. Littermate syndrome can be managed, but it is a lot of work.
Can dogs get parvo from eating cat litter? ›
NO! Cats and dogs have their own separate, species-specific parvovirus strains. The cat strain, called feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), is a significant disease threat amongst the feline community, but it cannot be transferred to canines.
How much cat litter is bad for a dog? ›
Eating cat litter can be dangerous for dogs if they eat a large amount, as it could cause a blockage. However most dogs consume relatively small amounts. They tend to target the poo which is coated in litter rather than the litter on its own.
Are litter boxes bad for dogs? ›
If your dog does get into the Naturally Fresh litter box, they may deal with looser stools due to the high fiber content, but they won't experience the negative effects they may get from eating clumping clay litter, which could cause blockages.
Is kitty litter toxic if ingested? ›
Is cat litter toxic? Clean cat litter is minimally toxic in small amounts. If your child ate a mouthful or less, no symptoms are expected. Dirty cat litter is also considered minimally toxic.
When your pet consumes raw or uncooked meat, roadkill, cat feces, or gets in contact with anything that is contaminated with a certain parasite, your dog may get a toxoplasmosis infection. Toxoplasmosis can affect any warm-blooded animal, including dogs, cats, birds, and can also affect humans.
Is cat litter toxic to breathe? ›
Crystalline silica dust, the other ingredient in most clumping litters, is a known carcinogen for both humans and household pets when inhaled. According to OSHA.gov, “Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen.
Can dogs get worms from eating cat poop? ›
If your dog comes into direct contact with the eggs or larvae then they run the risk of infection. All your dog has to do is eat an infected cat's feces and then the egg will hatch inside your dog and develop from there. Worms can lay thousands of eggs a day, so they can quickly wreak havoc on your dog's insides!
Can cat litter get a dog sick? ›
Theoretically, a dog could also get sick if they ate a large amount of cat litter, since it absorbs moisture and could cause constipation or an obstruction. You can try to use a baby gate or cat door to allow the cat access to the litter box while keeping the dog out.
Should I make my dog throw up after eating cat litter? ›
It is more likely for her to get some diarrhea as the cat turds and litter will be irritating. Options: Make her vomit up the litter with hydrogen peroxide if worried about large amounts ingested. Monitor and feed a bland diet to offset GI upset.
Can cat litter cause intestinal blockage? ›
There's some evidence that this clumping clay litter with added silica could cause intestinal blockages in cats. This is particularly true when your cat has long hair–litter will often collect between their toes and they'll consume it as they groom. If they ingest too much, there's a risk to their health.
Is scoop away cat litter toxic to dogs? ›
Scoop Away® litter is not known to cause harm to animals, including kittens, when ingested in small quantities. However, if a pet eats a large amount (i.e., a bowlful) of any litter, we recommend that you contact your vet.
Can dog and cat urine make you sick? ›
When you breathe in these ammonia fumes, not only does it smell bad, but it can cause some severe problems as well. If your pet has urinated in a place with reduced ventilation such as a room or even in the house, it could trigger issues like asthma, pneumonia, and in some cases, even suffocation.
What is toxoplasmosis in dogs? ›
What are Toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled organism, Toxoplasma gondii, capable of infecting both dog and owner alike. The infection is spread either through the feces of infected cats (as sporozoites) or undercooked meat (as tissue cysts).
