When it comes to poisonous houseplants for cats, the two representatives of flora and fauna are not the most compatible roommates. The pets often eat some leaves or stems from the local plants, leaving behind only remnants of a once green plant. It's not a one-sided relationship, although many common houseplants pose a significant threat to your favorite pet's health. So kittens like to nibble on leaves and are attracted to the smells and textures of many household plants. For this reason, in this post we have created a list that contains plants that are poisonous to cats. So if you are a cat owner, it is best to protect or keep your pet away from it.
You should know about these poisonous houseplants for cats!
When the animals are outside they eat grass and at home they snack on anything green and crunchy. They particularly love long, sinewy leaves, and that's actually completely normal. Some pet owners even plant cat grass at home for their pets.
Cats like houseplants not only because of their big appetite, but also because they are bored or have an upset stomach. Plus, they like to leavethe edges of the leaveswalk along their gums before chewing. This probably has something to do with her teeth breaking through.
If your cat gets sick after you bring home a new houseplant or bouquet of flowers, it's best to take a photo of it. You then take this to the vet. Identifying the cause of toxicity allows for rapid treatment, which is where the image or introduction of a plant part will help. There are dozens of plant varieties that are toxic to cats, so evidence can help pinpoint the culprits.
Symptoms can vary depending on the flower and range from swelling around the mouth to drooling, diarrhea, irregular breathing or heartbeat, and vomiting. Above all, try to remain calm and seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
Lilies
Lilies are the most poisonous plants for cats because the pollen can cause acute kidney failure if accidentally ingested. Before we talk about other poisonous flowers, we must first address this topic. While there are many types of plants and flowers that can cause everything from skin rashes to upset stomachs in cats, lilies are deadly plants for dogs too.
Although most adults avoid chewing on dangerous leaves, pollen can fall from bouquets and settle on smooth surfaces. A romp around the dining table and furry paws can pick these up and then lick them off as the cat grooms itself.
Did you know that the dangerous spider plant is poisonous and is not just limited to flower bouquets? Many of you may already know that the most commonly known plant leaf is poisonous. It is a common houseplant that can also be harmful to your cat. Fortunately, the poisoning does not end in acute kidney failure like other lilies.
Fensterblatt (Monstera Deliciosa)
Of all the trendy house plants that top our list, window leaf, also known as delicious window leaf, is the most common. It is also very poisonous to our furry friends and just one bite of it can cause them severe pain. Luckily, cats seem to prefer nibbling sticky leaves.
So if you own one of these, it is unlikely that your pets would chew on it. However, it is possible and you should be aware of the symptoms. Symptoms of such poisoning in cats include scratching around the mouth, salivation, sore mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing and irritation of the oral cavity.
Are orchids poisonous to cats?
Many people consider the safety of their furry family member a top priority. Rumor has it that orchids are particularly poisonous to our feline friends. However, according to experts, this theory is not entirely true.
Many believe that nibbling on a beautiful moon orchid can be poisonous to your kitty. This is only partially true because if your cat bites on such a plant, sometimes it will simply expel the foreign objects from its system. Accordingly, the symptoms are associated with abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Although it's never a good idea for your cat to nibble on most plants, these orchids are non-toxic to cats and dogs. Still, it's wise to keep your cat away from all plants, including your orchids. You can also use pesticides and fertilizers on them, although you should do your best to remove these products from the leaves as much as possible. For this reason, try misting the plants and sprinkling them with either cinnamon or cayenne pepper.
Either keep your orchid in a place inaccessible to your pets. Also, keep an eye on your four-legged family members and scare them away if they approach.
What about tulips?
If you have these beautiful flowers planted outside in the yard or at home, your cat must not get to them. Although tulips are not fatal to pets, a bite from the bulb can cause oral irritation, excessive salivation and nausea. The possible effect they can have on cats is anything but picture-perfect.
The risky components of plants are tulipalin A and tulipalin B, toxins that are particularly found in the onion. Always keep the tulips away from the cat. If necessary, protect your cat from tulips by sorting out the plants with wire mesh, for example.
If you spot a plant that you think is a tulip but are still not 100% sure, make sure your pet does not come near it under any circumstances. The showy flowers are typically shaped like stars or ovals and appear in bright pinks, purples, oranges, yellows, whites and reds. There are also multi-colored varieties of tulips. If you know exactly what a tulip looks like, you can better protect your cat from one.
Is aloe vera toxic to cats?
Aloes, including aloe vera, are common houseplants because you can also use them to make beauty products and homemade personal care. However, some of the same compounds that make this succulent useful can be extremely dangerous for cats. The symptoms of such poisoning in pets can include loss of appetite, anorexia, depression, diarrhea, reddish urine and more.
You will notice a change in your kitten anywhere from several hours to a few days after he digests aloe. If you suspect that your pet is gnawing on aloe and is sick, you should arrange for a vet visit immediately.
Aloe vera is cultivated both domestically and commercially as a medicinal plant. It is also a viable potted plant suitable for indoor use. While its healing properties are of great benefit to humans, the plant is poisonous to cats, dogs, and some other animals. Animals that chew on the leaves or stem of an aloe plant may also exhibit digestive symptoms, including vomiting or belching.
ivy
Pothos Ivy, also called Devil's Ivy, is recommended for its beautiful variegated leaves, forgiving nature and air purification system. In fact, ivy is considered one of the best plants for eliminating air pollution. This is why many people receive these as gifts at housewarming parties.
In small quantities, the ivy plant cannot be described as particularly harmful to health, but it can cause unpleasant and sometimes serious side effects in animals and people. Symptoms in cats include drooling, gagging, swelling of the mouth and tongue, difficulty breathing and upset stomach. In the worst case scenario, these can unfortunately lead to kidney failure and/or death.
Ivy is therefore a houseplant that you as a cat owner must keep with great care. If your four-legged friend chews or eats some of it, the calcium oxalate crystals contained in all parts of the plant will be a painful meal for him. Symptoms are similar to window leaf poisoning, and if your kitty has been exposed to the plant, it should be treated quickly. Although most animals recover, they suffer terrible pain.
Would cyclamen also be poisonous?
Another popular indoor and outdoor plant variety that produces beautiful flowers is the cyclamen. Similar to aloes, it also contains saponia, which can make cats sick if they consume some of it. The side effects in such cases also include salivation, diarrhea, seizures and if left untreated they can be fatal.
The cyclamen is a beautiful houseplant that is usually sold in supermarkets. It is also called the Persian violet. Cyclamen contains irritating saponins, and if any part of the plant (particularly the tubers or roots) is chewed or ingested by dogs and cats, clinical signs of vomiting may result. If there are large deposits in the body, these plants can also cause heart problems.
Edible and other flowers and plants
While many gardeners grow their vegetables and fruit plants outdoors, away from the hungry eyes of the resident cats, some of these plants are often grown in pots indoors in the off-season. Both garlic and onion can make cats sick if they eat them. Cocoa bean mulch is toxic to dogs but poses no known danger to cats.
There are literally dozens of common houseplants that are harmful to cats. Therefore, it is always a good idea to contact a veterinarian or animal clinic to ask about a specific species if you are not completely sure.
The most dangerous ornamental plants include anemones, daffodils, chrysanthemums and asparagus ferns. Eating these plants can cause your cat to become lethargic or unpredictable. In this regard, observe whether any sudden changes in behavior occur.
Trees as poisonous houseplants for cats
Some of the woody and larger herbaceous species are also toxic to cats, although these plants are less likely to be your pet's first target for consumption. Spotted hemlock, daphne (daphne), and tree-like angel's trumpet are potentially deadly to cats. Some yew trees, including the bow tree, are poisonous to cats, dogs and livestock.
There are also some plants that act as drugs for cats. Most people are aware of the effects of catnip on kittens – salivation, playfulness, and completely crazy behavior. The effects are said to be similar to those of marijuana or LSD on humans, but only last about ten minutes. However, catnip only affects 50% of cats.
There are a few other plants that affect cats in a similar way. These include valerian root, which is grown as a natural sleep aid for humans, and spider plants. Some animals do not react to catnip but show interest in Valeriana. Others love both and can sometimes be found on spider plants.
spider plant
Spider plants are said to be non-toxic to cats, but in reality they can easily make them sick. If your cat eats enough plant leaves, he may experience stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. But why do cats even eat something similar? Spider plant leaves contain natural compounds related to opium that give cats mild but harmless hallucinations.
There is a long list of flowers, outdoor plants, and houseplants that are toxic to cats. Far too many to list here, so we encourage you to learn more about them. Although kittens tend to leave dangerous plants alone, they might accidentally mess with the wrong variety and need help. Keeping the known dangers out of reach is the first step to raising your favorite animals safely.
