Our 8 year male cat just tonight fell into a large industrial sink that was about one half to two thirds full of water. The water had about one cup of bleach in it. We think that he saw a cutting board floating in it and thought he could step onto to it. The sink is near a window, so he might have been heading there. When I found him, his back half was wet, and he was a bit wet in other places. He seemed fine. If it was just water I wouldn't worry. But I began to worry about him licking bleach off himself, even though it would be just a small amount of bleach.
We quickly decided to give him a bath. We really just gave him a short rinse and then took him out and patted him down with a towel. We're watching him now. He is licking himself and seems okay. Should we do anything else? Should we have given him more of a bath?
Thanks.
2007-10-16 16:24:52 · 12 answers · asked by Zezo Zeze Zadfrack 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
UPDATE -- THANK YOU so much for the kind and informative answers. I gave him a little bit of milk. Not too much, maybe a few table spoons in a bowel and let him lick up as much as he wanted. He drank most of it. His eyes seem fine. His behavior looks normal and he is licking himself less at the moment. Right now he's doing what he normally does every night at this time, which is a good sign I think. I will continue to monitor him.
Thanks again. I will update again soon.
2007-10-16 16:58:01 · update #1
I believe the amount of bleach your cat was exposed to was fairly small and you correctly washed the affected area. However, exposure to chlorine bleach can lead to complications, so be aware of your cat's behavior and watch for symptoms that might indicate a reaction to the exposure.
The following information comes from PetEducation.com.
"With ingestion, signs include drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, and sore throat. The hair coat especially around the mouth and paws, may be bleached or smell like chlorine. If fumes were inhaled, signs such as coughing, difficulty breathing, or retching due to pulmonary irritation may be seen."
The advice to administer milk is sound, even though cats have lactose intollerance and may develop diahrrea as a result of drinking milk. The milk will neutralize the alkaline properties of the bleach.
As with any incident that might have potentially harmful consequences, check with your vet to find the best course of action.
I hope your kitty will be just fine. Continue to monitor him and call the vet if you see any of the symptoms detailed above.
2007-10-16 17:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by Yvonne P 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did the right thing by bathing the cat after discovering the problem. I don't think there will be any lasting damage from the cat's exposure to a relatively small amount of bleach. Maybe a little dry skin (like dishpan hands in humans) under the fur, but that will go away.
Keep one eye on the cat for a while, though, just to check for any changes in behavior or signs of a problem.
2007-10-16 16:33:16 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If it was a dilute solution, and you gave it a bath almost immediately, the cat should be ok. Call an emergency vet in the area and see what they think. They'll probably just tell you to monitor it for vomiting, drooling, or abdominal pain. If you see any of this, go to the vet immediately. Giving him a bath was definitely better than doing nothing. Veggie or mineral oil can also help remove some of the bleach from his coat. Good luck, and watch him closely!
BTW - milk might be ok, but will give him diarrhea. Try crushing up a TUMS tablet if you have it, and give it to the cat.
2007-10-16 16:38:22 · answer #3 · answered by swimmintink 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My only concern would be that your cat may have splashed some of the water into his eyes. How long was the water in the sink before he fell in? Bleach has a fairly short life. It dissipates into the air. Our drinking water is treated by adding bleach to it, and we are okay. You might want to call an emergency vet to see if you need to bring the cat in to have it's eyes examined.
2007-10-16 16:50:45 · answer #4 · answered by Jeanne B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would give him a more thorough bath. You are right to worry about him licking his fur. Also, contact the animal poison control center, for any more advise.
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2007-10-16 16:32:38 · answer #5 · answered by lakotamalik09 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Your cat will be fine, stop worrying. I have known of people giving cats/dogs a bath with bleach added and they never did die or anything.
2007-10-16 16:38:25 · answer #6 · answered by ஐ♥Julian'sMommy♥ஐ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think you should call an animal hospital and see if there is something that you could give him just in case he injested some. In humans, you would give milk...maybe you should just in case
2007-10-16 16:34:21 · answer #7 · answered by you can take it or leave it.... 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He should be fine.Give him some milk to absorb any bleach he may have swallowed.Since the bleach was so diluted,it shouldn't do anything to him,and you washed it off,so he should be OK.
2007-10-16 16:42:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
you did the right thing,you might give him alittle milk,it will calm the tummy if he drink any of it.
2007-10-16 16:35:14 · answer #9 · answered by peppersham 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you did well, but you should call your vet to see if there is more you should do.
2007-10-16 16:38:39 · answer #10 · answered by Brntte3078 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋