# Are Pennies Toxic to Cats? Zinc Poisoning Risk Are pennies toxic to cats? Yes. Pennies minted in the United States after 1982 are made mostly of zinc, and zinc is a heavy metal that is toxic to cats when swallowed [1]. Even a single penny can be dangerous, so a cat that has eaten one needs veterinary attention right away. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - U.S. pennies minted after 1982 are about 97.5% zinc, and zinc is toxic to most domestic animals when ingested [1]. - Zinc poisoning damages red blood cells, the liver, the kidneys, and the pancreas, and it can be fatal without treatment [2][3]. - Signs include vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, weakness, and pale gums, and they may not appear for hours to days after the penny is swallowed [4][3]. - Call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 immediately if you think your cat ate a penny. - Do not make your cat vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to. ## Are Pennies Poisonous to Cats? The Short Answer Pennies are poisonous to cats because of what they are made of. Pennies minted in the United States after 1982 contain 97.5% zinc, with only a thin copper coating on the outside [1]. Once a penny sits in the stomach, stomach acid eats through that copper shell and starts dissolving the zinc inside. Cats are careful eaters compared with dogs, and zinc poisoning is reported far more often in dogs [2][3]. That does not make pennies safe for cats. Cats do swallow small metal objects, and a case report describes a 3-year-old cat that developed zinc toxicosis after swallowing a metal screw nut that was mostly zinc [4]. The same risk applies to a penny. Any penny your cat might have swallowed counts as an emergency. Cats are small, and the amount of zinc in one coin is a large dose for a cat's body weight. ## Which Pennies and Products Are Dangerous? ### Pennies U.S. pennies made after 1982 are the main concern because they are almost entirely zinc [1]. Older pennies are mostly copper and are less toxic, but you usually cannot tell the mint year once a coin has been in a cat's mouth. Treat any swallowed penny as a zinc risk. ### Other Zinc Sources in the Home Pennies are not the only source. Zinc is found in batteries, automotive parts, paints, zinc oxide creams, herbal supplements, zippers, board game pieces, screws and nuts, and the galvanized coating on some metal pipes and cookware [2]. Zinc oxide creams are a less toxic form of zinc, but other products such as throat lozenges, anti-dandruff shampoo, deodorant, mouthwash, and some dietary supplements can contain more toxic forms [1]. New wire cages can also be a problem. Some are coated with zinc through galvanizing, and a cat that chews on the wire can poison itself [1]. If you keep other pets, know that zinc toxicosis has been reported in dogs, cats, birds, and ferrets [3]. ### What About Copper? Copper toxicosis is a separate problem, and it is diagnosed far more often in livestock than in cats [5]. The copper coating on a modern penny is thin and is not the reason these coins are dangerous. The zinc core is. ## What Zinc Does Inside Your Cat's Body When your cat swallows a penny, zinc salts form in the stomach. They are absorbed from the small intestine and then spread quickly to the liver, kidneys, prostate, muscles, bones, and pancreas [2]. Zinc salts irritate and corrode tissue directly, and they interfere with many normal body processes, including the making and function of red blood cells [2]. That interference with red blood cells is why zinc poisoning causes hemolytic anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them [3]. Damaged red blood cells release hemoglobin, which the kidneys have to filter out. This is one reason zinc poisoning can lead to kidney dysfunction [3]. The liver and pancreas can also be affected [3]. In the cat case report, the cat had regenerative anemia, raised liver enzyme values, high bilirubin, a prolonged clotting time, and ultrasound changes suggesting pancreatitis [4]. All of that traced back to one small piece of zinc-containing metal in the stomach. ## Signs of Zinc Poisoning in Cats ### Early Signs The first signs are usually digestive. Vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea are common [3]. The cat in the case report was brought in for vomiting, not eating, and weight loss [4]. These signs are easy to mistake for a mild stomach upset, which is why a known or suspected penny ingestion matters so much. ### Signs That Develop Later As zinc keeps dissolving, more serious signs appear. These include weakness, lethargy, pale gums from anemia, dark or bloody urine from hemoglobin passing into the urine, and signs of kidney or liver trouble [3]. In severe cases, the pancreas becomes involved as well [3]. ### Timeline Signs may not start right away. In one reported case, a dog was brought to a clinic with a 4-day history of vomiting and diarrhea after swallowing zinc-containing material [6]. The cat case report described a longer course of vomiting, inappetence, and weight loss before the metal object was found [4]. The exact timeline varies with the size of the zinc object, how long it stays in the stomach, and your cat's size and health. Some cats show signs within hours, and others take days. ## What to Do Right Now If you saw your cat swallow a penny, or you think it might have, act immediately. 1. **Call for help.** Contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. These services can guide you and your vet. 2. **Do not induce vomiting.** Never make your cat vomit unless a veterinarian specifically tells you to. Pennies and other metal objects can cause damage on the way back up, and vomiting can be dangerous for a cat that is already weak. 3. **Do not wait for signs.** A cat can look completely normal for hours or days after swallowing a penny. Waiting gives the zinc more time to dissolve and be absorbed. 4. **Collect information.** Note when the ingestion happened, how many pennies or objects might be involved, and whether your cat has any other medical conditions or takes any medications. Bring the coin wrapper, battery, or object if you have it. 5. **Keep your cat calm and indoors.** Do not offer food, water, or home remedies unless your veterinarian says to. If you are not sure whether your cat ate a penny but you found a chewed or missing coin, call anyway. A veterinarian can help you decide whether an exam and X-rays are needed. ## How Veterinarians Diagnose and Treat Zinc Poisoning ### Diagnosis Your veterinarian will start with a physical exam and questions about what your cat may have eaten. Blood work often shows anemia, raised liver enzymes, high bilirubin, and sometimes clotting abnormalities, which is the pattern seen in the reported cat case [4]. Abdominal X-rays can show metal objects in the stomach or intestines because metal shows up clearly on imaging [6]. In some cases, an endoscope is used to look inside the stomach and remove the object, as was done for the cat with the zinc screw nut [4]. A blood zinc level can confirm the diagnosis, though results may take time [4]. ### Treatment The most important treatment is removing the source of zinc. If the penny is still in the stomach, your veterinarian may remove it with an endoscope or with surgery [4][6]. Supportive care matters just as much. Treatment options that have been used successfully include intravenous fluids to flush the body, blood transfusions when anemia is severe, and general supportive care [3]. Some veterinarians use chelation therapy, which binds zinc so the body can remove it, but more research is needed on how much it helps [3]. Your veterinarian will calculate any medication dose from your cat's weight, blood work, and overall health. There is no safe home dose of anything for this problem. ### Outlook The outlook is good when the zinc object is found and removed early. The cat in the case report recovered fully after the metal object was removed and supportive care was given, and its blood zinc level dropped significantly afterward [4]. When treatment is delayed, zinc poisoning can cause severe anemia, kidney failure, and death [3][6]. Quick action makes a real difference. ## Prevention and Safer Alternatives The simplest prevention is keeping pennies and other zinc-containing items out of reach. - Store loose change in a closed container, not in a dish or jar on a counter or nightstand. - Check under furniture and inside couch cushions for stray coins, especially if you have children or visitors who drop change. - Keep batteries, screws, nuts, bolts, zippers, board game pieces, and small metal hardware in closed drawers or boxes [2][1]. - Check new wire cages for galvanized zinc coating, and block any spot where your cat might chew on the wire [1]. - Store zinc oxide creams, supplements, and medicated shampoos in closed cabinets [2][1]. - If your cat likes to mouth or chew small objects, talk to your veterinarian about safe enrichment options such as food puzzles and appropriate chew toys. Cats explore with their mouths, and many household hazards look like toys. If you are also worried about plants in your home, see [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats) and [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats). If your cat gets into cleaning supplies, [Cat Ate a Cleaning Product: Immediate Steps and Toxicity Risks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-ate-cleaning-product-immediate-steps) walks through what to do. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you whether your specific cat swallowed a penny or how much zinc it absorbed. Only a veterinarian who examines your cat can do that. **Call now or go to an emergency clinic if your cat:** - Was seen or suspected to swallow a penny, battery, screw, nut, or other metal object - Is vomiting repeatedly or cannot keep anything down - Is weak, wobbly, collapsing, or breathing fast - Has pale, white, or yellow gums - Has dark, brown, or bloody urine - Has a swollen or painful belly - Is not eating or drinking **Call the same day if your cat:** - Has mild vomiting or diarrhea and you found a damaged or missing coin - Seems tired or quieter than usual - Has any change in appetite or behavior after possible exposure **Schedule a routine visit if:** - Your cat has a habit of chewing or swallowing small objects and you want help with prevention - You want to review your home for zinc sources with your veterinarian Do not wait to see if signs improve on their own. Zinc keeps dissolving as long as the penny stays in the stomach, and damage can build quietly. Individual cases need a veterinarian's judgment, so when in doubt, make the call. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can one penny really hurt my cat? Yes. U.S. pennies minted after 1982 are about 97.5% zinc, and even one penny can be toxic for a dog, which is much larger than a cat [1]. Cats are smaller, so the same coin delivers a larger dose relative to body weight. Treat any swallowed penny as an emergency. ### My cat seems fine after eating a penny. Should I still call? Yes, call right away. Signs of zinc poisoning can take hours to days to appear, and a cat can look normal while zinc is still dissolving in the stomach [4][6]. Early removal is much safer than waiting for symptoms. ### Will my cat pass the penny on its own? Maybe, but you should not count on it. Pennies can sit in the stomach for a long time, and that is when the most zinc is absorbed. A veterinarian can use imaging to see where the coin is and decide whether it needs to be removed with an endoscope or surgery [4][6]. ### Are old pennies safer than new ones? Older U.S. pennies contain much less zinc than pennies made after 1982 [1]. The problem is that you often cannot tell the year once a coin has been swallowed or chewed. Any penny should be treated as a possible zinc source. ### What other everyday items can cause zinc poisoning in cats? Batteries, screws and nuts, zippers, board game pieces, jewelry, staples, galvanized metal, some paints, and certain creams and supplements all contain zinc [2][1]. New galvanized wire cages are another risk if your cat chews on them [1]. Keep small metal items and medicated products locked away. ## Related Articles - [Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/are-lilies-toxic-to-cats) - [Plants Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/plants-toxic-to-cats) - [Cat Ate a Cleaning Product: Immediate Steps and Toxicity Risks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/cat-ate-cleaning-product-immediate-steps) - [Flowers That Are Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-that-are-toxic-to-cats) - [Flowers Toxic To Cats](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/flowers-toxic-to-cats) - [Cat Ate Toxic Lily](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/cat-ate-toxic-lily) - [Can Cats Have Zinc? Supplements and Toxicity](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-medication-guide/can-cats-have-zinc) - [Is Zinc Sunscreen Toxic to Cats? Mineral and Chemical Risks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/zinc-sunscreen-toxic-cats) - [Is Zinc Oxide Toxic to Cats? Creams, Diaper Rash and More](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/zinc-oxide-toxic-to-cats) ## References 1. [Zinc Poisoning](https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/zinc-poisoning/). Pet Poison Helpline. 2. [Zinc Poisoning - Special Pet Topics](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/poisoning/zinc-poisoning). Merck Veterinary Manual. 3. [Toxicology of selected pesticides, drugs, and chemicals. Zinc](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2180195/). The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice, 1990. 4. [Zinc toxicosis in a cat associated with ingestion of a metal screw nut](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36439681/). JFMS open reports, 2022. 5. [Retrospective study of toxic metal analyses requested at a veterinary diagnostic toxicology laboratory in Ontario (1990-1995)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9442951/). The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 1998. 6. [Zinc Toxicosis in a Boxer Dog Secondary to Ingestion of Holiday Garland](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28224456/). Journal of medical toxicology : official journal of the American College of Medical Toxicology, 2017. ## Further Reading - [ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) - [ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets) - [U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/potentially-dangerous-items-your-pet)