My cat ate hand warmers – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet today

Call your vet today for advice – don't wait until signs appear. Hand warmers are toxic to cats.

What to do now

What to do right now

  1. Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet.
  2. Note what was eaten, how much, and when.
  3. Bring the packaging.
  4. Remove what is left and keep your cat calm.

Don't

  • Do not make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
  • Do not give any human medicine.

Why it can be dangerous

Some hand warmers are sources of iron.[1] Some hand warmers include foot warmers and body warmers.[1]

Signs to watch for

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
  • Tremors
  • Abdominal pain
  • Shock

Where it is found

  • Foot warmers
  • Body warmers
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

Get it on Google Play

OkPaw is on Android now – an iPhone version is on its way.

Common questions

How much is dangerous?

Call your vet for advice about how much was eaten, and note what, how much, and when.

What signs should I watch for?

Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, abdominal pain, or shock.

How soon can signs start, and what should I do now?

Call your vet today for advice about when signs may start, and bring the packaging.

Sources

  1. Pet Poison Helpline

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

The same page for dogs →

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