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Will moth balls harm my cat2007-11-25 12:33:15

I want to use moth balls to keep cats away from my door. I also want to put some in a house plant so he'll leave it alone. Is there anyway that my cat could be harmed or poisoned by them?

Answers:

YES.

Mothballs contain pesticides, and eating or breathing pesticides are NOT good for any living animals. More specifically, the chemical contained in mothballs, paradichlorobenzene, causes liver failure, kidney failure, and severe anemia. Don't do it. Ask a vet if they can recommend other ways to keep your cat away from things.

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no you should be OK

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Duh.

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I would check with a vet about that,I have heard that cats avoid mothballs,but if they ingest them they are very dangerous.

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i wouldnt use them to stop that

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Hi there.Many people believe mothballs work, however they are considered toxic. Here's more information on this:

http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/ope/enotes/showa.

MOTHBALLS are toxic to cats which contains the ingredient Naphthalene. Mothballs are approximately twice as toxic as paradichlorobenzene, and cats are especially sensitive to naphthalene. Signs of ingestion of naphthalene mothballs include emesis, weakness, lethargy, brown-colored mucous membranes and collapses. Paradichlorobenzene mothballs may cause GI upset, ataxia, disorientation, and depression. Elevations in liver serum biochemical values may occur within 72 hours of indigestion.

Consider using citronella for pets found at many pet stores as this is a safer alternative to repel pets from unwanted areas. Citrus peel rinds from Oranges and lemons also can work well for some cats as it is quite strong and revolting to them as well.