Is permethrin insecticide powder toxic to my cat? What to do?

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. Great question! Unfortunately, permethrins of any kind are not safe for use around cats. Permethrins are very toxic to them. I would not risk it. ( https://icatcare.org/advice/permethrin-poisoning/ )

Yes, permethrin toxicity can be fatal in cats if not treated. I am attaching more information from the Pet Poison Helpline below. http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/pyrethrin/ If you know Chin chim has been sprayed, we normally recommend bathing the cat in Dawn dish liquid to remove the chemical from the fur (before the cat licks it off). Toxicity signs include muscle twitching that can progress to seizures. If you notice any signs of toxicity, please take Chin chim to an emergency veterinarian immediately for treatment. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Chin chim is fine. Thanks for using PetCoach.

If your cats are showing signs of poisoning, this is a medical emergency and they need veterinary treatment now. There is nothing you can do at home for them, as cats are very sensitive to flea treatments and any time they show signs of poisoning, veterinary treatment should be sought right away. Please take them into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website.

Once the Raid is dried and absorbed into the environment / objects, Chloe should not be in any significant danger of permethrin toxicity. In theory, if she were to find an area that didn't dry and lapped enough of it up, it could certain cause a toxic episode. If you are concerned about this, I would recommend bringing Chloe inside but perhaps secluding her to areas that are not sprayed. If this is possible, it's probably your safest bet.

This should not cause any problems. Cats can be sensitive to very concentrated permethrin products (>1-2% concentration), but the concentration of this spray is much lower than that (around 0.02%) so we would not expect to see any toxicity issues related to this. I would recommend making sure that the area is completely dry before allowing your cat back in, but once it's dry it should be fine.

You are right in saying that certain chemicals should be avoided around cats. This should include permethrins, pyrethrins, and any of the chemicals derived from these compounds. However, most studies have already shown that as long as your kitty isn't actively licking this chemical, being directly sprayed with it,or eating dozens of the ants killed by it, the level of toxic exposure required to cost significant harm or death in a cat is pretty unlikely. That is not to say that ultimately it would be safer to relocate your cat during the extermination process or use a different chemical that kills ants. There are many different insecticides that have very limited intoxication potential. If you have any concern about what to use, I would advise you to reference the pet poison healthline website. You can also call them if you want specific advise concerning your pet. Here's the website: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/ Good luck in your ant killing journey!

Cats can be very sensitive to strong smells, so it’s possible he is reacting to something in the environment. Fortunately, this is not a sign of permethrin poisoning, or a reaction to your cream. It’s also possible that Isis is developing an upper respiratory infection, but they tend to sneeze much more than you reported. I’d recommend searching for any strong smells in the house and removing them at this time. I don’t see a need to rush to the vet from what you have described, but if you notice an increase in sneezing and/or nasal, or eye discharge, then it would be best to have him seen by your vet. Diatomaceous earth is not very effective and may be harmful if swallowed, or aspirated, so I would not recommend using it around your pets. I hope that helps and all is well with Isis.