Are Raid Fly Ribbons Poisonous to Cats? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ

It can be tricky to care for our pets while attempting to get rid of pests. If you have many bugs intruding on your home, finding the right way to repel or kill them without endangering your cats can be tricky. Many insecticides are poisonous to cats, and some pet owners do not want to run the risk of their cats accidentally ingesting anything dangerous.

Luckily, there are some safe forms of insect control out there, including Raid Fly Ribbons. The Raid Fly Ribbons are a safe choice for cats. These ribbons trap flying insects with poison-free glue that is much safer to have around cats—just make sure your cat does not get stuck on one!

What Is a Raid Fly Ribbon?

Raid Fly Ribbons are a type of flypaper. These ribbons are long strips of paper or plastic covered in sticky glue. When flies or other insects try to land on the ribbon or brush up against it, they get stuck and can’t fly away. You can hang the ribbon indoors or outdoors to catch all kinds of flying insects, like flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and moths.

Raid Fly Ribbons are a much safer alternative to other forms of pesticide because it’s a physical fly trap instead of a poison. These ribbons use sticky glue to trap flies. This glue is designed to be non-toxic, although if ingested, it might give your cat a slight tummy ache. You should still keep the ribbon out of reach, though—its sticky glue can catch cat fur as easily as flies. Regardless, some lost hair is far better than being poisoned!

Raid Fly Ribbons vs Other Brands

There are lots of brands of flypaper or fly ribbons out there, and not every brand is the same. Although Raid Fly Ribbons don’t use any toxins to kill flies, some brands do use a poisonous insecticide mixed with the glue. When you buy fly paper, make sure to check the product ingredients to make sure there aren’t any toxins. Look for labels like “non-toxic” or “no insecticides” on the packaging to make sure that the fly ribbon is poison-free.

Removing Flypaper from Your Cat’s Fur

Even though it won’t poison your cat, it is still annoying to get flypaper stuck in your cat’s fur. If your cat is stuck fast and you can’t loosen the ribbon easily, try rubbing vegetable oil into the ribbon where it’s touching fur. The oil should break up the glue and help you loosen your cat’s fur from the ribbon. Once that’s done, a bath or spot clean with water and pet-safe dish soap can remove any oil and glue residue so that your cat doesn’t remove it by licking itself. Although most glue isn’t dangerous, it can cause indigestion.

Final Thoughts

Raid Fly Ribbons are a common way to deal with flying pests, and they’re a great choice for cat owners. Although you should always keep them out of reach of your cats, you can have a lot more peace of mind knowing that the ribbons aren’t a real danger. If your cat does eat part of a Raid Fly Ribbon, you should watch for signs of an upset stomach, vomiting, or loss of appetite, and contact your vet for further assistance if any of these are seen.

• Related Read: How To Keep Flies Away From Cat Food

Featured Image Credit: UncleFedor, Shutterstock