Toxic plants for cats

Cats are very curious animals and can bite the plants we have at home just to get our attention. There are some that can be very dangerous and even deadly, so it is necessary to know what they are in order to avoid them.

By nature, cats are very curious animals and that can put them in danger on more than one occasion. When our pet is very small or very bored, it can nibble on leaves or flowers to get our attention.

Cats have a digestive system that lacks the enzymes needed to metabolize plants, so they use grass to eliminate hairballs and other things that are difficult to digest. But plants and flowers can become very dangerous for our cat.

Symptoms of plant poisoning will depend on the amount ingested and the type of plant. However, the most common are: increased salivation, vomiting and diarrhea, convulsions, lack of appetite, loss of balance, respiratory problems or arrhythmias and paralysis.

Toxic plants

We like to decorate our house with some plants and give it color with some flowers. But if we have pets we must know if they are suitable for them. For example, the typical Christmas flower, the poinsettia, is very dangerous for cats and dogs.

Among the toxic indoor plants, the lily is the worst. The whole plant is poisonous, even the pollen it releases, since ingesting it can even cause kidney damage to our cat.... Flowers such as poppies, foxgloves and tagetes can also cause digestive problems and nervous system problems.

We must be very careful with the bouquets of flowers themselves, as they may include flowers and plants toxic to pets such as azalea, rhododendron, hydrangeas, mountain laurel, boneteros or holly.

There are some plants that release toxins and can quickly and severely poison your pet.

Some of the most dangerous plants are: amaryllis, daffodils, chrysanthemums, autumn daffodils, cyclamen, diphembaquia, hyacinth, marijuana, kalanchoe, oleander, poto, cycad, yew, thyme, tulips, Jerusalem cherry and begonia, among others.

If your cat goes out to a terrace or to the garden we also have to take into account the plants we have outdoors, since there are also many that can harm, such as: holly, apricot, azalea, caladium, Adam's rib, croton, eucalyptus, wisteria, ivy, fig tree, laurel, apple tree, sago palms and the infernal fig tree (castor bean), among others.

Safe plants

On the other hand, there are others that do not affect our cats at all, such as bamboo, zebra cactus, calathea, fern, ribbon, elf's paw, aloe vera or aromatic plants such as valerian, rosemary, mint, peppermint and pennyroyal, among others.

If you want to add some color to your home, you can opt for flowering plants such as succulents, roses, orchids or African violets, which are not harmful to your cat.

Obviously without forgetting the catnip and germinated catnip that your pets love and help them with their digestion and expel the hated hairballs.

Conclusion

If you suspect that your pet may have ingested any of the toxic plants, even in small amounts, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not wait for symptoms of poisoning to appear because, depending on the plant and the amount, it may be too late.