My cat ate phosphides – what should I do?

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: Pet Poison Helpline

Call a vet now

Call your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Phosphides can release deadly phosphine gas when they mix with stomach acid.

What to do now

What to do right now

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

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

Phosphides are found in certain types of mouse and rat poison or in mole or gopher baits.^[1] Phosphides release deadly phosphine gas when the poison mixes with stomach acid.^[1] Food in the stomach increases the amount of gas produced and therefore increases toxicity.^[1]

Signs to watch for

Vomiting
Drooling
Seizures
Collapse
Abdominal pain
Death
Bloat
Shock

Where it is found

Certain types of mouse and rat poison
Mole baits
Gopher baits

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?

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Common questions

Where might phosphides be found?

They are found in certain types of mouse and rat poison or in mole or gopher baits.^[1]

Why are phosphides dangerous?

They release deadly phosphine gas when the poison mixes with stomach acid.^[1]

Does food in the stomach matter?

Food in the stomach increases the amount of gas produced and therefore increases toxicity.^[1]

Sources

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

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