Houseplants are a popular sight in almost every home. They lighten up your living space, help reduce depression and anxiety, and help improve indoor air quality. Many people see caring for these plants as therapeutic, it helps people feel calmer and relaxed.
Sadly, if you are a cat owner, there are a lot of these toxic plants for cats. These toxic plants should be avoided in homes with cats due to their poisonous properties, particularly as cats are prone to chewing on plants.
Though cats are primarily carnivores, they also feed on plants in the wild for added nutrients or fiber, or maybe simply because they like the taste.
Although we are not really sure, but young and tender plants seem to be their favorite. They sometimes eat houseplants because they are attracted to leaves that flutter in the air or maybe out of boredom.
Decorating your home with plants and flowers is a quick way to beautify your home. But before you stock your windowsills with Rosemary or introduce lilies to your dining room table, make sure these plants are safe for everyone in your home, including your feline pals. Because even though they are beautiful, some of them can be toxic plants for cats.
Cats have this annoying habit of chewing houseplants. Your cat will try to climb your window or table to eat the leaves of these plants once you bring them home.
Therefore, before bringing any plants into your home, it is important to know which one is toxic to cats. Some of them are not as toxic as people think, but others are very harmful to your cat’s health.
It is not advisable to allow your cat to eat any of these plants, as you never know exactly what kinds of toxins might be hiding in the leaves.
So, it is important to be aware and keep your home and garden cat-friendly, by keeping these toxic plants out of your home. The following are the 10 most common toxic plants for cats.
1. Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
The toxic component in castor bean is Ricin, which is a highly poisonous protein that can cause severe health problems. Eating just one ounce of its seeds can be deadly.
Symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after eating. The symptoms include loss of appetite, extreme thirst, weakness, trembling, sweating, shortness of breath, loss of coordination, progressive central nervous system, fever, and depression.
As the condition progresses, bloody diarrhea may appear, comma and convulsion may be preceded death.
Castor bean is one of the most toxic plants for pets listed on the ASPCA website. And the veterinary medicine library signifies that all parts of castor beans are poisonous, but the seed is the worst.
2. Lilies (disambiguation) – Very Toxic Plant for Cats
Lilies are very popular around the world; they are usually seen around borders, garden beds, and bouquets. Although their flowers are beautiful and smell nice, they pose a great threat to cat’s safety.
Cats are usually drawn to the beautiful bouquet of daylilies on a dining table or the colorful array of daylilies in the garden. But lilies are very toxic plants for cats.
The whole lily plant is poisonous: the leaves, the stem, the flowers, the pollen, and even the water in the vase.
Eating a little amount of lily leaf, flower petal, or licking some pollen from its fur while grooming or drinking from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure within few days.
Peace lilies, Calla lilies, Peruvians lilies contain oxalate crystals that cause minor symptoms, like an irritation to the tongue, mouth, esophagus, and pharynx, causing slight drooling.
The most dangerous lilies are true lilies, and these include Asiatic lilies, tiger lilies, Asian lilies, Daylilies, Easter lilies, and Japanese show lilies, all of which are very toxic Plants for Cats.
Even small ingestion of 2-3 leaves can lead to acute kidney failure. If you noticed your cat consuming any portion of lily, consult your veterinarian immediately for medical care
3. Tulips (Tulipa spp)
Tulips are very popular with gardeners around the world due to their large and colorful flowers and various variants can be found in almost every region.
Despite their popularity, tulips can be dangerous to cats.
The bulbs are the most deadly part, but any part of the plant can be harmful to your feline pals. So you should keep all tulips away from cats.
They contain allergenic lactones which are toxic for cats. The toxic substance is known as tulipalin.
This substance is an allergen that is produced solely to ward off herbivores that might see the plant as food. If ingested in large quantities, tulipalin can be very toxic, which means it can cause damage to the liver.
Symptoms of tulip poisoning usually appear very quickly and are very obvious. The symptoms include vomiting, loss of coordination, diarrhea, salivation, lethargy, and weakness.
4. Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) One of The Most Toxic Plants for Cats
Daffodils are very poisonous for cats, however, the plants are toxic not only to cats but to other animals as well, including horses and dogs.
The entire plant is toxic, especially the bulb. If your cat consumes any part of the plant, particularly the bulb, it could experience dangerous toxicity, so be careful.
Daffodil flowers contain lycorine, an alkaloid with a strong emetic substance. Eating the plant, bulb, or flower can lead to severe vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even respiratory depression or cardiac arrhythmias.
The outer layer of the bulbs contains Crystals, which can lead to secondary drooling and severe tissue irritation. Ingestion of daffodil can lead to more serious symptoms.
So if you noticed any symptoms, we recommend you consult a veterinarian.
5. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
There are two types of Crocus plants, one that flourishes in the spring, which is the Crocus species, and the other that flourish in the autumn which is the Colchicum autumnale.
Spring plants are more common and are part of the Iridaceae family. Ingestions of this type can cause general gastrointestinal upset, which includes vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea.
You should not confuse these with Autumn Crocus, which is extremely toxic and contains a toxic alkaloid known as colchicines. All parts of this plant are toxic for cats.
The plant is also known as Naked Lady, it is very deadly and can lead to severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, kidney and liver damage, respiratory failure, and even death.
The signs can be seen immediately but can take several days. If you are not sure of which Crocus plant your cat ingested, consult your veterinary immediately for proper health care.
6. Swiss Cheese Plants (Monstera Deliciosa)
Among all the toxic plants for cats, the Swiss cheese plant, also known as Monstera deliciosa, is the most popular. This plant is very deadly to cats and even a small bite can cause severe pain.
Monsteras are low maintenance plants, which make them an attractive addition to any home. The unfortunate part of it is that the plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate, which makes it extremely toxic to cats.
The nature of the toxin means that your feline pal will feel a painful sensation in its mouth if it ingests the plant. One bite is enough to deter any future bites, but that will completely depend on your cat.
Symptoms include excessive drooling, burning of the mouth and lips, vomiting, and oral swelling.
7. Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)
Pothos is also known as satin or Silk Pothos are extremely popular plants due to their low maintenance nature, their incredible air-purifying properties, and the fact that there are many different varieties of pothos plants available.
Unfortunately, this amazing plant is very toxic to cats. Although these plants are completely safe to touch, if ingested, they can be very toxic to your feline pals.
The symptoms include pain in the oral cavity, vomiting, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, and pawing at the mouth. If you suspect that your cat has ingested any part of this plant, contact a veterinarian immediately.
8. Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta) – Very Toxic Plant for Cats
This plant belongs to a species of plants known as cycads, which are primitive palm-like plants that produce seeds and cones.
Sago palms have short, thick stems and leaves that look like ferns or palms. It is also called Japanese sago palm or king sago palm.
They are a fun, tropical addition to any home and can do wonders for indoor air quality. Its unique structure makes it a beautiful standout piece.
Sago palms are very toxic to cats. When any part of this plant is ingested, it can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and even liver failure or death.
Veterinarians warn cat owners that the plant is extremely toxic to cats. They also pose a health risk to our feline pals when grown indoors in pots during cold climates.
All parts of this plant are toxic for cats. These include the stem, the leaves, the roots, and particularly the seeds.
The major toxic component in this plant is known as cycasin, which is a strong neurotoxin and a carcinogen.
9. Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) – Less Toxic Plant for Cats
The aloe vera plant belongs to the Aloaceae family and is also known as Aloe barbadensis. People use this plant medicinally, but if cats ingest it, it has toxic effects.
The toxins in aloe vera include glycosides, anthracene, and anthraquinones. Ingestion can cause vomiting and bowel movements.
Toxin symptoms are usually mild unless your cat has ingested a large amount of aloe vera. The symptoms include vomiting, changes in urine color, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and depression.
The poisonous part of the plant is the white latex, not the gelatin inside the leaves.
10. Cyclamen (Cyclamen Spp)
Another popular and beautiful houseplant that poses a threat to cats is the cyclamen. This is a beautiful houseplant that is commonly sold in supermarkets. It is also known as Sowbread or Persian Violet.
Cyclamen contains an irritating saponin, when cats chew or swallow any part of the plant (particularly the roots or tubers), it can cause clinical signs of vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea.
In case of large ingestion, these plants can lead to cardiac problems, such as abnormal heart rate and rhythm, and your cat may also experience seizures and heart arrhythmias that can be fatal.
Kittens are especially vulnerable due to their insatiable curiosity because they taste things and often nibble on the unknown.
Cats like to eat random things, learn if your cat can eat these things. Can cats eat bacon? Oranges? Catnip? Can cats eat white chocolate? Watermelon? Honey? Can cats eat bread? Strawberries? Chocolate? Cheese? Peanuts? Can cats eat eggs?
Conclusion
This is not the complete list of all the toxic plant for cats; therefore you can do your research before bringing a new plant into your home.
There are a lot of lovely cat-friendly houseplants that you can use to lighten up your decoration, to be on the safer side, always place the plants in a spot out of your pet’s reach. It will prevent any possible side effects related to ingestion. And you can also take the following precautions.
- Make Your Plants Stink to Your Cat: Cats are very sensitive to smell. The easiest way to prevent them from chewing, digging, or playing with your plants is to make them smell unpleasant. There are many ways to do this. You can spray cayenne pepper around the plant; with one sniff your cat will back off. You can also throw a lemon peel into the soil of the plant.
- Spray Your Plant’s Leaves: It is very easy to find over-the-counter pet sprays specifically designed to keep cats away from houseplants. These sprays consist non-toxic ingredients, but it’s always smart to check with a vet before allowing your cat around any of these substances. Also, you can always mix a little vinegar with water and sprinkle it on the leaves of your plant. Your cat will stay away from the plants and the mixture will not harm the plants.
Lastly, to avoid accidental ingestion of poisonous plants, it is better to get rid of these toxic plants from your cat’s surroundings.
The best alternative is cat grass and cats do eat it every now and then to eliminate ingested hairballs. And if you suspect that your feline pal has eaten any of these toxic plants for Cats, it is best to seek professional help immediately.