Cats are masters at hiding pain and illness, which means emergencies can escalate quickly. Knowing what to do in the critical first minutes can save your cat’s life. Always contact your vet as the first priority — first aid buys time, it doesn’t replace veterinary treatment.
Lily Poisoning — The #1 Cat-Specific Emergency
ALL parts of lilies are highly toxic to cats — flowers, leaves, stems, pollen, even the water from the vase. Ingesting even a tiny amount can cause fatal kidney failure.
- Even grooming pollen off their fur is enough to cause toxicity
- Symptoms: Vomiting, loss of appetite, drooling, increased drinking, twitching, seizures
- Action: Contact your vet IMMEDIATELY — even if your cat seems fine. Early aggressive treatment (IV fluids, activated charcoal) is the only chance
- There is no antidote. Prevention is key: never have lilies in a household with cats
Road Traffic Accident (RTA)
- Move the cat as little as possible — wrap gently in a towel or blanket and place in a carrier or box
- Call your vet ahead so they can prepare for your arrival
- Even if injuries look minor, always get a vet check — internal injuries (lung bruising, organ damage) can develop hours later
- If bleeding, apply firm pressure with a clean cloth during transport
Seizures / Fitting
- DO NOT restrain your cat or put fingers in their mouth
- Clear obstacles away, dim lights, keep the room quiet
- If on a high surface, gently move to the floor wrapped in a thick towel
- Time the seizure and video it if possible — this helps your vet enormously
- Call your vet immediately if the seizure lasts more than 2–3 minutes or if multiple seizures occur
Other Common Poisons
- Antifreeze (ethylene glycol): Sweet taste attracts cats. Causes kidney failure. Vet emergency
- Human medications: Paracetamol is fatal to cats — even one tablet can kill. Ibuprofen is also toxic
- Permethrin: Found in dog flea products — highly toxic to cats (see our flea treatment guide)
- Animal PoisonLine: 01202 509 000 (24/7)
FAQs
My cat was hit by a car but seems fine — should I still see a vet?
Yes, always. Cats are extraordinary at masking pain. Internal injuries — particularly lung bruising, ruptured bladder, or internal bleeding — may not show symptoms for hours. Adrenaline masks pain in the immediate aftermath. A cat that walks away from an RTA can die hours later from injuries that weren’t visible externally. Always get a thorough veterinary examination including monitoring for delayed complications.
Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Jenkins, MRCVS
Dr. Jenkins is a fully practicing veterinary surgeon in the UK with over 15 years of clinical experience in small animal medicine and canine behaviour. She reviews and verifies our health content to ensure medical accuracy.
