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

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:49
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.

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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:
Non-exhaustive list of plants toxic to cats

Aloe (Aloe)

Almond tree (Prunus dulcis)

Amaryllis belladonna (Amaryllis)

Arums (Arum creticum) / Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

Azaleas / Rhododendrons (Rhododendron)

Cannabis (Hemp)

Autumn colchicum / mongrel saffron (Colchicum autumnale)

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum pacificum)

Cyclamen (Cyclamen)

Foxglove (Digitalis)

Dieffenbachia / Cannes des muets (Dieffenbachia)

Fern (Filicophyta)

Common yew (Taxus baccata)

Daffodils / Daffodils (Narcissus)

Hyacinth (Hyacintus)

Blossfeld's Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)

Climbing ivy (Hedera helix)

Lily (Lilium)

May lily of the valley / common lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis)

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

Cuban oregano / Large West Indian thyme (Coleus ampoinicus)

Pothos / devil's liana (Epipremnum aureum)

Common castor (Ricinus communis)

Japanese sago palm / Cycas (Cycas revoluta)

Tulip (Tulipa)

Also be careful with species of the Boxwood, Laurels, Hydrangeas, Thuja and Ginko biloba families, among others.
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