They don’t harm the lizards in whose bodies they reside, but when your cat friend snacks on an affected lizard, that parasite can move into her bile duct and cause a potentially fatal inflammation. About. Whether or not the blue-tailed skink is poisonous remains something vets, scientists, and other researchers have debated for decades. They only bite if you pick them up, and it's nothing more than a little pinch. Some cats avoid adult skinks, probably due to having been nipped by lizards who were acting in self-defense. Many housecats will think nothing of chasing down and attacking a snake, not realising how much danger they are putting themselves in. If you know there are skinks in your area, the responsible thing to do is to find out if skinks are poisonous to cats or present any kind of danger if caught or eaten. Some skinks may be poisonous to eat. I have heard of cats becoming ill from eating blue-tailed skinks, but the information among veterinarians I have talked to is contradictory and not definitive. Is there something in their skin that is toxic? Common skinks include many different kinds such as the slender skink, snake-eyed skink and the skinks of the genus Plestiodon are among the common skinks. They contain compounds called insoluble oxalates that can pose a serious threat to a cat's health when … I can find nothing "out there" to corroborate this. Their bite might be painful but there is no harmful side effect at all, aside from getting wounded of course. Since most lizards have some form of bacteria on their skin, chances are your cat might get sick. Cats have also been observed to catch and eat them with no demonstrable aftereffects -- but the Southernism "poor as a lizard-eating cat" suggests lizards are not at the top of the feline menu. Common symptoms of poisoning of any kind can include excessive drooling, vomiting, seizures or walking as if they were drunk. And the nonsense about five lined skinks biting you if you get too close is ridiculous. If a cat eats this specific type of lizard they will look as if they are drunk with symptoms such as twitching, shaking, and falling. I have heard of cats becoming ill from eating blue-tailed skinks, but the information among veterinarians I have talked to is contradictory and not definitive. Plants That are Poisonous to Cats If you do nothing more than ban Lilies and Poinsettias from your house, you’ll be much closer to preventing your cat from plant poisoning. Pet owners know that cats love to chew on plants for no reason in particular. More often than not, the bitten area will just swell. Often referred to as the dogs of the lizard world, blue-tongued skinks have loads of personality, the curiosity that drives the most intrepid explorers, ears that perk at the sound of movement in the kitchen and an expressive gaze that notices when you've come … Skinks are no threat to you or your cat, it's the other way around. I have heard several times from various folks that skinks are poisonous to dogs or cats (if eaten). EDIT: The blue tail skink is poisonous to cats. That being said, eating a lizard is still not completely safe for dogs and cats. Because of their small size, North American lizards are easy for dogs and cats to catch and eat. If in any doubt, then speak to your vet to see if … As beautiful as begonias may be, they are poisonous to cats. Fortunately, these small lizards, like the tiny gecko or anole, are not poisonous for dogs and cats to eat. What Happens If A Cat Tries To Eat A Lizard? Skinks are harmless. Some skinks may be poisonous to eat. Whether or not skinks are toxic to cats is unconfirmed. So, being bitten by one might hurt a little, but that’s the extent of the danger. Geckos, skinks and toads carry parasites called liver flukes that are potentially deadly for cats. Cats are hunters by nature and unfortunately not able to discriminate between harmful prey and non-harmful prey. Some vets say yes, whilst others say no. The most recent research indicates that juvenile lizards that still have their blue tails may be poisonous to cats, while older lizards with gray tails are not.