Can Our Kitten Get Poisen Ivy Too?

Question

Our little kitten ran into the briar bush (full of Poisen Ivy) and hubby and I are now full of the Poisen Ivy Rash - can our kitten get Poisen Ivy too? What should we do with the kitten?

Answer 1

Poison Ivy is on every list of plants that are poisonous to cats that I can find. (just google cats "poison ivy). There is no further detail given.

I would recommend that you phone the vet, let them know what happened, and they'll be able to advise on the best course of action.

A cat that has eaten poison ivy definitely needs to be taken to the vet, but a cat that has 'only' been externally exposed may well be ok, or suffer minor irritation - but only the vet can give you a reliable answer to this.

Assuming the kitten didn't eat any, the vet's advice is likely to be to keep a close eye on the kitten, and be prepared to go the vet if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

Also, there are many cases of people getting poison ivy rash from their cat's fur - so you may need to wash the kitten.

I hope kitty is fine & that you and your husband get over the rash quickly!

Answer 2

Pets can get poison ivy but it isn't likely since they have fur blocking it from their skin.  What happens a lot of times though is pets getting into the stuff, the oils rubbing off when they get pet and giving it to their owners.  Always bathe them in a mild soap after they get into it, using tepid water.