My 5 kg cat just ate a tablespoon of raw bread dough left rising on the counter — what are the first three things I should do in the next 10 minutes?

My 5 kg cat just ate a tablespoon of raw bread dough left rising on the counter — what are the

Short answer

First, call your vet or an emergency clinic immediately. Dough expands in the warm stomach and ferments into alcohol, both of which are life-threatening for a cat. Second, do not try to make her vomit — the rising dough could block her airway on the way back up. Third, keep her calm and confined in a carrier or small room; watch for a distended belly, retching, or wobbliness which signals alcohol poisoning. Time is critical, so get professional advice on whether to bring her in right away.

Raw bread dough — Food safety facts

Do not feed · Cats · full breakdown on the linked food page

Emergency. Dough rises in the warm stomach, can cause life-threatening bloat, and the yeast ferments into alcohol — a small ball can cause alcohol poisoning.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Do not feed), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Raw bread dough should not be given to cats at all. Even a small amount can do harm, so there is no portion small enough to be safe.

Do not induce vomiting and do not give milk or oil to “dilute” it. Note the food and roughly how much was eaten, then call your vet or a pet poison hotline and follow their advice on whether to bring the pet in straight away.

Raw bread dough has no place in everyday feeding: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged after this and watch the litter box and how quickly they finish the next meal.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Raw bread dough food facts page.

Open the full food page: Raw bread dough food facts →

My 5 kg cat just ate a tablespoon of raw bread dough left rising on the counter — what are the first three things I should do in the next 10 minutes?

Raw bread dough — Food safety facts

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