Companion Animals

Antifreeze Poisoning: A Preventable Cause of Cat and Dog Deaths

Ethylene glycol antifreeze tastes sweet to cats and dogs but causes fatal kidney failure; pet-safe alternatives are widely available.

Key Facts

Ethylene glycol antifreeze is lethal to cats at doses as small as 1.5 ml per kg
Propylene glycol antifreeze is significantly less toxic and widely available as an alternative
Clinical signs of antifreeze poisoning include ataxia, vomiting, and eventually kidney failure
Treatment is effective only if administered within hours of ingestion
Several hundred pet deaths from antifreeze poisoning are reported annually in the UK alone

Welfare Considerations

Antifreeze poisoning causes progressive kidney failure over 24-72 hours in cats. The initial sweetness that attracts animals gives way to neurological symptoms followed by painful organ failure. Most cases are preventable by switching to propylene glycol antifreeze, storing ethylene glycol securely, and cleaning spills immediately. The suffering is severe and prolonged; survival requires rapid veterinary treatment.

What You Can Do

Switch to propylene glycol antifreeze as a safer alternative
Store all antifreeze securely away from pets
Clean any antifreeze spills immediately and thoroughly
If you suspect antifreeze ingestion, seek emergency veterinary care immediately
Advocate for mandatory pet-safe antifreeze labeling and retailer information