Plants That Are Toxic to Cats

Many standard home and garden plants are toxic to cats. If your cat decides to nibble on a plant, you should be able to tell your Memphis vet precisely what it ate so that they can treat your cat as soon as possible.

Cat Poisoning

Cats love to jump and explore, which makes it hard to keep poisonous houseplants out of reach of a curious cat.

To protect your cat’s health in the future, our Memphis emergency vets suggest that you learn the names of the plants in your home and find out which ones are poisonous to pets. Memphis emergency vets say that some plants are dangerous for cats.

Protecting Your Cat

The safest thing you can do for your cat is to get rid of toxic houseplants or move them to a room where your cat can’t get to them. Still, if your cat gets a hold of an unhealthy or poisonous houseplant and eats it, knowing its name could help your vet treat your cat quickly.

You should call your vet if your cat eats a plant you don’t know.

Read More: Heatstroke in Cats: Symptoms & Treatments

Plants That Are Toxic to Cats

There are many plants that cats can’t eat or that are bad for them. Many of the most common plants that could hurt your cat or kitten are on the list below:

• Spring bulbs
• Amaryllis
• Autumn Crocus
• Azaleas and Rhododendrons
• Castor Bean
• Chrysanthemum
• Daffodils
• Dieffenbachia
• English Ivy
• Hyacinths
• Kalanchoe
• Lily
• Lily of the Valley
• Marijuana
• Oleander
• Peace Lily
• Pothos, Devil’s Ivy
• Sago Palm
• Spanish Thyme
• Tulip
• Yew

Toxic Parts of Plants

Pollen, needles, seeds, flowers, and leaves can poison cats. Cats often eat poisonous parts of plants when grooming because pollen or seeds get stuck in their fur or paws. Bored cats might find a hanging plant fun to play with and chew on the leaves or vines.

Read More: What are some common cat illnesses & symptoms?

Signs that Your Cat May Have Ingested a Toxic Plant

Cats can get sick from different plants; some plants are much more dangerous than others. When a cat eats a poisonous plant, it can cause anything from mild skin irritations to severe kidney or heart problems.

Symptoms of Irritants

• Itchiness, scratching
• Swelling
• Red, watery eyes
• Irritation around the mouth

Gastrointestinal Symptoms

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Other Serious Symptoms

• Breathing difficulties
• Irregular heartbeat
• Drooling, difficulty swallowing
• Frequent Urination

Diagnosis of Plant Poisoning in Cats

If you can tell your vet what plant your cat ate, they will be better able to figure out what’s wrong and how to treat it.

If you can’t tell your vet the name of the plant your cat ate or give them a sample of the plant, they will have to run a series of tests to figure out what kind of poison your cat ate so they can treat them properly.

Read More: Signs Your Cat is Choking & What to Do