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My cat ate laundry detergent and is throwing up. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 2 months and 22 days old

My cat ingested laundry detergent, I am not sure how much. She has been throwing up for 4 days now and she hasn't eaten any food. I fed her a temptations treat to see if she would eat and she ate it but I believe she threw it back up a few hours later. I will not be able to get to the vet until friday because I cannot afford it at the moment. Will she die, is there anything i can do to relieve her symptoms until i get her in front of a doctor?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

Veterinarian

Published on June 23rd, 2018

This is very serious and could be fatal depending on how much she ate. I would call the pet poison helpline to see if they can give you any tips on the particular brand of detergent and its ingredients. She needs fluids to ensure she is flushing out her kidneys and liver and GI tract, but unfortunately, some animals are too sick to keep anything down. So you may need to find a way to get her to the vet sooner if at all possible. Below is the link for the pet poison helpline. They will be able to give you more specific information depending on what she ate. I hope this helps! www.petpoisonhelpline.com/

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on March 2nd, 2018

    I see that you asked your question about 9 hours ago. I am sorry there was no expert available until now. If your kitty is acting normal eating and drinking by now, then she may be fine. If she is not feeling well you must take her to a vet this morning for an exam. Laundry detergents often have chemicals that will burn tissue so she could have burns in her mouth and gut which will need to be treated. It is also important that you keep your kitty away from all detergents and house hold cleaners, as they are detrimental to her health.

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