Dibutyl Phthalate Ingestion in Cats
Glow jewelry, which is available in the form of glow sticks, glow bracelets, glow necklaces and more, contain a chemical that glows in the dark and are particularly popular around the July 4 holiday and Halloween. However, when chewed or ingested by your cat, the chemical inside of the sticks and/or jewelry cause an intense reaction to the taste of the chemical.
This adverse reaction associated with glow jewelry can affect both dogs and cats. If you would like to learn more about how it affects dogs, please visit this page in the petMD health library.
Symptoms and Types
When cats bite into or ingest glow jewelry or glow sticks, the chemical dibutyl phthalate causes an intense taste reaction. Symptoms seen include:
- Drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Agitation/irritation
- Vomiting (rare)
Other than the reaction to the bad taste, glow sticks and glow jewelry are generally not toxic.
Causes
It is the chemical found in glow sticks and other glow jewelry named dibutyl phthalate which may cause adverse reactions in cats and that cats find offensive.
Diagnosis
In addition to taking the cat's medical history, a veterinarian will observe your cat for signs and symptoms associated with ingesting dibutyl phthalate.
