Poisonous Plants For Cats With Photos - 25 Species To Avoid

Video: Poisonous Plants For Cats With Photos - 25 Species To Avoid

Being curious pets by definition, cats chew a lot of common household items. And while detecting damage by examining the couch or the most recent pair of shoes is downright annoying, finding that the feline has tasted a plant species can in fact be downright dangerous. That's why we've put together a list of 25 of the most common poisonous plants for cats and accompanied them with photos so you can easily spot whether you've potted them indoors or planted them in the garden.

what poisonous plants cats to avoid planting house

Keep in mind that our list is not exhaustive and it may well be that you have some exotic plant in your home which is not without danger either. If in doubt, we recommend removing the supposedly problematic plant from your home or yard. Our feline friends love to explore and climb, which means that just keeping poisonous plants out of their reach will be quite a difficult, if not impossible, mission. In the end, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?

poisonous plants cats photos avoid all costs

Many people wonder which parts of a given plant are toxic to cats? If we say that a plant species is poisonous to cats, it will not be wrong to assume that all its parts are harmful. Of course, some parts such as seeds and flowers may have higher concentrations of the toxic substance (compared to the stem, leaves and roots), but these are just technical details.

Plants that are toxic to cats and symptoms to watch out for

poisonous plants cats photos avoid in the garden

Likewise, be aware that the different plants that are toxic to cats can cause a variety of symptoms when ingested. Most often they result from immediate irritation or inflammation. Redness, swelling or itching of the eyes, skin or mouth are therefore among the most common symptoms. But when the stomach, intestines and other deep parts of the gastrointestinal tract are affected, vomiting and diarrhea are very likely.

poisonous plants for cats house garden photos

Logically, if the toxin directly affects a particular organ or system, the symptoms manifested will be mainly related to these. For example, there is difficulty in breathing when the airways are affected, difficulty swallowing if the mouth, throat or esophagus are affected, a frequent need to drink and urinate if the kidneys have been damaged, fast, slow or irregular heartbeat and weakness if the heart is hurting etc.

Immediate care after possible ingestion

poisonous plants for cats photos to avoid in the garden

If you see your cat eating a plant and you are unsure if it is poisonous, or if you even suspect that your cat has eaten such a plant, follow these steps before taking her to your vet. First, remove any plant matter from the animal's hair, skin, and mouth if it is safe to do so. Then, keep your cat confined to a safe environment for close supervision and do not feed or drink for a period of time.

which plants are toxic for cats photos species to avoid

Identifying plants that are toxic to cats is very important in determining treatment. So, if you are unsure of the name of the vegetation your cat has been exposed to, bring a sample of the plant or plant material that your cat has vomited with you to the vet office. Last but not least, stay calm so that you can provide the best possible care for your velvet-legged friend. As promised, here is our list: