During certain holidays, glow sticks and glow jewelry may be more readily available. These contain dibutyl phthalate (often nicknamed “DBP”) inside, which is a clear to yellow, oily liquid that has a very bitter taste. One bite can cause DBP to leak from the glow stick or jewelry, and result in profuse drooling, gagging, and retching in a pet. DBP can also cause irritation to the skin and eyes, resulting in a burning or stinging sensation. As cats are fastidious groomers, they end up ingesting more and more as they clean the DBP off their fur and paws. While the chemical DBP itself isn’t very “toxic,” it can result in significant and dramatic signs.

If you think your dog or cat chewed into glow jewelry, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline for treatment advice.