How dangerous are toxins for dogs and cats? The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment evaluates data from German poison centres

Biocidal products such as insecticides, rodenticides and disinfectants are mixtures containing one or more biocidal active substances that are used to control harmful organisms. As part of the authorization process, an assessment is carried out to ensure that biocidal products do not pose an unacceptable risk to human or animal health. Nevertheless, poisoning accidents involving animals – especially dogs and cats – occur time and again.

The occurrence of animal poisoning by biocides does not have to be reported in Germany. Therefore, there is no comprehensive documentation available. However, poison centres (PCs), which are primarily responsible for poisoning in humans, also advise on animal poisoning depending on their capacity. 

Some of the documentation requested from the PC dates back to 1997. According to the data received by the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, severe symptoms and deaths caused by biocides in cats and dogs are rather rare. During the observation period, mild to moderate poisoning with symptoms such as vomiting, apathy or convulsions occurred more frequently. In the case of dogs, symptoms were reported in only about one-fifth of the calls to the PC. However, it cannot be ruled out that symptoms occurred subsequently that did not exist at the time of the call to the PC. In cats, on the other hand, mild to moderate symptoms were documented in more than half of the cases.

Dogs were mainly poisoned by rat and mouse poison, presumably because these were often used as bait in the past. However, far-reaching restrictions on the sale and use of rat and mouse poison in recent years suggest that there will be fewer cases of poisoning in the future. In cats, there were also some cases of poisoning with rat and mouse poison where the consumption of poisoned prey was reported. However, the most common source of poisoning for cats was insecticides. In some cases, the cats had opened a bait box and licked it, or they were in the room when insecticides were being used, or they had licked pyrethroid-containing parasite control products, known as “spot-on” products. Certain disinfectants or chlorine in the household also led to poisoning.

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommends that biocidal products in the household should always be stored in such a way that pets cannot access them in order to reduce the risk of poisoning. Pets are to be kept away during use. Dogs should be watched closely during walks, especially if rat and mouse bait is being used. If poisoning is suspected, pet owners should contact a vet immediately.

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has also published a communication on the safe use of spot-on products and flea control agents.

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent institution within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). It protects people's health preventively in the fields of public health and veterinary public health. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment provides advice to the Federal Government as well as the Federal States (‘Laender’) on questions related to food, feed, chemical and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research on topics closely related to its assessment tasks.