First six hours after eating green potato skins
The solanine in green potato skins acts quickly, often causing vomiting within 2-4 hours if enough was ingested. Since your cat is 6 kg, she'd need to eat a substantial amount for severe poisoning, but even small quantities can irritate. Listen for retching sounds and check hidden corners where she might have thrown up discreetly.
Potato salad adds complications — the mayonnaise could cause separate digestive upset, masking solanine symptoms initially. Greasy, foul-smelling diarrhea might appear before neurological signs if fats upset her stomach more than the toxins do.
Neurological red flags in dim lighting
Solanine affects the nervous system, making pupil response a key indicator. Wait until evening when your home is dim, then shine a faint light toward (not directly into) her eyes from a few feet away. Healthy cat pupils should rapidly constrict to slits — sluggish response or staying dilated suggests toxin exposure.
Watch her walk across familiar surfaces too. Stumbling, seeming disoriented, or misjudging jumps onto furniture are concerning signs. These would typically appear within 12 hours if solanine is affecting her coordination.
Why her weight matters for risk assessment
At 6 kg, your cat has some buffer against small amounts of toxins compared to a kitten, but don't assume she's safe. Larger cats sometimes eat more before feeling full, potentially consuming more harmful material. Estimate how much potato she actually ingested — a few licks versus several chunks changes the scenario.
The salad's other ingredients matter too. Onions or garlic sometimes added to potato salad are far more dangerous to cats than solanine in these quantities. If you suspect she ate any, that becomes the priority concern over the potato skins.
Emergency signs that can't wait
Labored breathing or muscle tremors mean immediate vet care is needed — these indicate advanced solanine poisoning. Keep her in a quiet, dim space to reduce neurological stress while arranging transport. Bring a sample or photo of the potato salad if possible.
If she becomes unusually vocal or agitated, that's another emergency signal. Cats typically hide pain, so overt distress suggests significant discomfort. Time matters with solanine — the sooner treatment begins, the better her chances if she did ingest a toxic dose.
The step-by-step response, from the first minute to the vet visit, is in our Potato Plant Poisoning in Dogs and Cats emergency guide.