Are geckos poisonous to cats? Every cat owner wants their pet to be safe and healthy, but what happens when they are at risk of being harmed by another type of pet? in this case a gecko!
This is a question that every cat owner asks themselves, and although geckoes only grow to a length of (3–6 in) which is quite small, they can still bite hard enough to draw blood in humans and in cats.
Most geckos don’t live on most surfaces like other reptiles do which means they’re more likely to go unnoticed by your cat. But how dangerous are these little guys? and are they really poisonous to cats?
No! Geckos are not poisonous to cats, However, a gecko is known to carry liver flukes and have anti-bacterial properties on the skin, which could make the cat seriously ill or worse!
Geckos are non-poisonous which makes them a great choice for those who don’t like to have poisonous reptiles as pets or live in an apartment where they already have a cat or dog and are worried about their safety.
Another advantage of owning a gecko is that many of them are too small and light to cause any damage if they get loose inside your house. But what if the gecko bites the cat or worse the cat eats the gecko can this be poisonous?
Lets find out…
Can A Gecko Be Poisonous To Cats If Eaten?
So to answer this question we need to dig a little deeper into the gecko’s anatomy and explain exactly why a gecko could be harmful to your cat if eaten.
The gecko’s unique design of the hair-like confers a profound antimicrobial action that covers their entire body. These protuberances are very small, up to 4 microns in length, and can’t be seen with the human eye.
Anti-Bacterial Properties
A gecko’s skin has been observed to have antibacterial properties, for killing gram-negative bacteria when it comes in contact with the skin, almost like a self-cleaning mechanism.
These Antibacterial Properties In The Gecko’s skin can be toxic for cats if consumed.
These antibacterial properties are similar to what’s used in household products like soaps, detergents, disinfectants, and hand lotions which are all Extremely Toxic To Cats.
Liver Flukes
The cat liver fluke is a parasite that lives in water (known as Opisthorchis felineus) and typically uses snails as hosts, which if eaten by reptiles such as a gecko can then become the new host to this parasite.
If your cat has been exploring outside or eating animals from the wild, then it may have a liver fluke. Cats in Florida and Hawaii are most at risk for this infection since that’s where they thrive best.
About 15% to 85% of cats infected with these parasites live close by to an area were there is lots of wildlife
Can A Geckos Bite Be Poisonous To Cats?
Replies with smaller mouths like the gecko are less likely to bite larger animals, including a cat. But if this does happen for whatever reason can a geckos bite be poisonous to a cat?
Because geckos are non-poisonous the answer is no! Their teeth are designed for catching prey and chewing it into smaller pieces, and although a gecko’s bite can be painful when biting down, most bites don’t cause any serious damage.
If the gecko does draw blood on your furry friend then naturally the cat will clean the wound so you don’t need to worry about it getting infected.
Some people would think that if a gecko bites a cat then it can cause an infection, when in fact, a gecko’s mouths aren’t dirty and they don’t carry any harmful bacteria or viruses like some other reptiles might.
However, if you’re worried about your cat getting an infection from the bite then you can clean the area with soap and water.
Gecko Saliva
Geckos have salivary glands which produce an anti-coagulant called hyaluronidase. This enzyme breaks down making it easier for the gecko to consume its prey.
There’s been no reports of a cat ever being allergic to a geckos saliva! If your worry about this and want to know some of the sign of toxicity in a cat below we have made a list.
Signs of Allergies In A Cat
The most common signs of toxicity in a cat are drooling, vomiting, diarrhea. However, there are other symptoms that need to be addressed as well.
If you notice that your cat has been drinking more than usual or doesn’t seem interested in food as much, this could be a sign that something isn’t right with their health.
You should also see if your cat is eating if they are not then this could be a sign that something is not right also see if the cat has red eyes or a running nose if they do then you should take the cat to see a veterain as soon as possible.
Common Signs Of Allergies In A Cat:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Red Eyes
- Not Eating
- Runny Nose
- Crossed eyes
A cat allergy is not a common but very unpleasant condition and the symptoms of the ailment can manifest within minutes or take hours to appear.
Conclusion
So we hope this has answered your question to are geckos poisonous to cats? Our pets are an important part of our family, and we would love to keep them healthy and safe.
Geckos are not poisonous, but they can be harmful to cats if eaten. Some people may think that they’re toxic because of the way they move their sticky feet and are able to change color.
However, at this point gecko owners and cat owners alike may be wondering if they can share their homes with both pets? The short answer is yes! just as long as you keep an eye on your lizard when you let it out of its enclosure.
In the end, Geckos are awesome pets. They’re small, they don’t need to be fed much and they can live in a variety of environments. Just remember to stay close as geckos can move at great speed.
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