The moulds that spoil food and grow in composting piles can sometimes produce dangerous toxins. Cats that eat these may become very ill, although this is rare. Never give mouldy food to your cat, and speak to a vet straight away if you think your cat has eaten spoiled food.  

  There are two main types of dangerous toxins that moulds can produce. The most common are tremorgenic toxins. These cause uncontrolled shaking and trembling. In severe cases, they may cause seizures or heat stroke. However, most cats fully recover if they receive immediate treatment. The other type is aflatoxins, which cause liver damage. The symptoms may take several days to appear, but recovery is more difficult, and many cats don’t survive. In both cases, treatment should be started as soon as possible to improve the chances of a full recovery.

What causes mouldy food poisoning in cats? 

Tremorgenic toxins

• Sometimes produced by mould that grows on bread and cereal products, dairy products, nuts and other spoiled foods.

• The amount of toxin produced varies greatly with mould strain and environmental conditions, so it’s hard to know when dangerous levels may be present.

• The toxins are quickly absorbed from the stomach and gut, and symptoms can start in an hour or less.

• These toxins can get into the brain, which is where most of the symptoms are thought to come from.

• Uncontrolled shaking and trembling are the main symptoms, but in severe cases, this can lead to life-threatening hyperthermia (heat stroke) or seizures.

Aflatoxins

• Aflatoxins may be produced when food isn’t properly preserved.

• Cases are rare, but errors or accidents during industrial cat food production can sometimes cause outbreaks.

• These toxins can also be produced in foods that haven’t been stored properly.

• Symptoms may take several days or weeks to develop.

• Liver damage is the main consequence of ingesting these toxins and is often severe.

Symptoms of mouldy food poisoning in cats

Symptoms will depend on the type of toxin ingested.

Tremorgenic toxins:

• Vomiting

• Uncontrolled shaking and trembling, often continuous and affecting the whole body

• Panting

• Restlessness

• Exaggerated reactions to noises, touch and movement; these can sometimes worsen the tremors 

• Incoordination

• Raised body temperature, possibly leading to hyperthermia or heat stroke

• Seizures

• Coma

Aflatoxins:

Symptoms may develop in just a few days or over several weeks

• Unexpectedly refusing a specific food

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Jaundice (yellow gums and eyes)

• Excessive bruising or bleeding

• Black, tarry stools

• Poor appetite

• Fluid build-up in the belly (ascites)

• Liver failure

Cats at a higher risk of mouldy food poisoning

• Intoxication can affect cats of any age, but younger cats are more likely to eat inappropriate things

• Unsupervised outdoor roaming increases the risk of exposure

How do vets diagnose mouldy food poisoning in cats?

• In many cases, the ingestion of mouldy food will be seen, or the mouldy food will be present in the vomit.

• For tremorgenic toxins, the typical symptoms of sudden uncontrolled trembling may indicate an intoxication, but other common toxins cause similar symptoms (slug poison, insecticides, permethrins, herbicides, chocolate, caffeine, strychnine, recreational drugs).

• For aflatoxins, general blood tests may show liver damage and coagulation problems, but determining the cause can be difficult if the ingestion of mouldy food was not seen.

• In both cases, specialist lab tests may detect the toxins in samples of vomit or contaminated food.

• In animals that do not survive, samples may be obtained during post-mortem examination.

Veterinary treatment of mouldy food poisoning in cats

• The first and most important step in treating intoxication is stopping the poison from entering the blood and organs. If ingestion of mouldy food is suspected, take your cat to see a vet immediately so the stomach can be emptied as quickly as possible, ideally within 30 minutes. Your vet will do this safely by injection or by pumping the stomach under anaesthesia. 

• Tremorgenic toxins:

  • If tremors develop, the pet will need to be hospitalised to receive medications to control them. 

  • These may be similar to anti-epileptic medications, like phenobarbital or midazolam. 

  • Other treatments may also be needed to manage symptoms and prevent dehydration.

  • Body temperature will need to be monitored closely, and body cooling treatments may be needed if it gets dangerously high.

• Aflatoxin:

  • Intensive supportive care is often necessary.

  • Whole blood or plasma transfusion may be needed to replenish coagulation factors, red blood cells and platelets. Vitamin K may need to be administered by injection.

  • Symptomatic treatment may be needed for vomiting and other digestive symptoms.

  • Medications to protect the liver may be administered, such as N-acetylcysteine or S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).

Home treatment of mouldy food poisoning in cats

• Always contact a vet for advice immediately if you think your pet has ingested mouldy food. If the amount ingested is concerning, immediate decontamination treatment is the best option.

Prevention of mouldy food poisoning in cats

• Do not feed your cat any food that visibly contains mould, or that seems spoiled (abnormal smell, consistency, appearance).

• Make sure all bins are secure, and your cat can’t get into them, especially those containing food leftovers or discarded food.

Living with mouldy food poisoning in cats

• Most cats recover fully from tremorgenic toxins within 24-48 hours, although some cases may take longer. Lingering effects are extremely rare.

• Aflatoxin intoxication is usually severe, and many cats don’t survive. When they do, they may be left with chronic liver disease. Such cases will require lifelong monitoring and may benefit from preventive treatments and special diets.

When to worry about mouldy food poisoning in cats

Always speak to a vet immediately if you suspect your cat has ingested mouldy food, so the risk can be assessed and treatment advice given. If your cat develops any of the following symptoms, see a vet as soon as possible:

• Severe vomiting or drooling

• Constant shaking or trembling

• Wobbliness or seizures

• Weakness or collapse

• Excessive panting or trouble breathing

• Excessive drinking and urination

• Bleeding

Safe treats for cats