New Warning for Pet Parents: Possible Danger from Cooling Pet Beds and Headache Wraps

Our experts at ASPCA Poison Control want to warn pet parents about severe signs reported after exposures to hot/cold packs migraine caps, eye masks, wraps and cooling pet pads commonly found in homes, first aid kits, lunchboxes and cooling pet beds. These wraps may be intended for various body regions such as fingers, hands, wrists, ankles or knees, and are often marketed for hot/cold compression therapy. Packaging may describe the gel as nontoxic or medical grade.

In cases of ingestion, ASPCA Poison Control has noted signs ofvomiting, muscle tremors, unsteadiness on the feet, sensitivity to sound or touch, low blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. Seizures and deaths have also been reported.

Although these products are said to contain nontoxic polymers such as polyacrylamide, some have been found to contain high levels of acrylamide, which is used to manufacture polyacrylamide. Acrylamide is a potent neurotoxin, reproductive toxin and possible carcinogen for both pets and humans and is suspected of causing the signs. In addition, some of these products may contain superabsorbent gel beads that can expand dramatically after swallowing, creating the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction in addition to potential toxicological concerns.

Actions to Take

• Keep cold/hot packs, gel wraps and hydrogel products out of reach of pets and store securely in cabinets or containers. Avoid leaving pets unsupervised around pet cooling mats, to protect against attempted ingestion.
• Immediately clean leaked gel contents and prevent pets from contacting the material. Wear nitrile gloves when handling spilled gel or damaged products.
• Retain product packaging, labels and ingredient information whenever possible as this information can be extremely valuable for veterinarians during case evaluation.
• Report adverse events and unusual reactions associated with these products to manufacturers and appropriate safety agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Increased reporting helps identify emerging hazards and supports product safety improvements.

If you suspect your pet may have chewed, punctured or ingested the contents of a cold/hot pack, cooling mat, therapeutic body wrap, hydrogel or gel bead product, please contact your veterinarian or our experts at ASPCA Poison Control at 888-426-4435. If your pet is showing neurologic signs, please take them to your closest veterinarian immediately.