Toxicity to pets

Match heads contain the toxic chemical potassium chlorate, an oxidizer that encourages rapid burning of the match. Ingestion of a few match heads results in gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, drooling, and vomiting in pets. Ingestion of a large number of match heads can lead to kidney damage and anemia (i.e., methemoglobinemia and hemolytic anemia). Wooden match sticks pose a risk for gastrointestinal obstruction in very small dogs and cats.