Plants Poisonous To Cats

Recognizing Indoor Plants Poisonous To Cats

Everyone knows that the cheapest and most effective way to bring life into a home decor is by adding plants. Unfortunately, as lovely as those green leaves and colorful blooms may be, if you have a new playful kitten skirting around your homestead, you may have to dispose of some of your beloved indoor vegetation.
Although we think of cats as carnivores, many are fond of vegetables and other plant material. These naturally curious explorers will occasionally sample outdoor grass, or taste leaves and flowers of potted indoor houseplants. Therefore, identifying potentially hazardous plants is vital if you value your feline companion.
Be aware that cats will enjoy chewing on greenery because they are seeking more fiber in their diet, relief from hairball indigestion, to ease teething irritation or out of sheer boredom. There are hundreds of common houseplants that could be toxic to your cat, and this long list includes vegetation such as various Lilies, Amaryllis, Mistletoe, Poinsettia, Poison Ivy, Aloe Vera, Eucalyptus, Boxwood, Ferns, Chrysanthemum, Jonquil, Rhododendron species, Golden Pothos, Holly, Jerusalem Cherry, Croton, Cyclamen, Dieffenbachia, Daffodils, and Tulips. Complete directories of cat-poisonous plants can be found online, at the library, or at any veterinary clinic. Certain plants may not be toxic by nature, but they can be harmful to your cat if they have been sprayed with pesticide.
Where possible, remove dangerous plants and provide safe alternate greenery, such as cat grass, rye, alfalfa and wheat. Parsley and thyme are herbs that many foliage-crazy cats enjoy smelling and chewing, and both can also be grown indoors. If you do prefer to keep some of your favorite, yet cat-dangerous plants, place them in hanging baskets in areas where your feline cannot get to them, or make them less appealing by coating leaves with something your cat finds unappetizing. Harmless, yet nasty-tasting substances are available at any pet-supply store, and Tabasco sauce can be found at almost any supermarket. Whenever you find the ingredient your cat detests, keep reapplying them to re-enforce your point.
If you have a cat with plant-eating tendencies, or a need for additional fiber, you might try giving it small amounts of fresh alfalfa sprouts, spinach, cantaloupe balls, steamed or grated carrots, or steamed broccoli and green beans. If you have a food processor, process the vegetables until they are finely diced.
Ingestion of poisonous plants can cause a variety of symptoms. It can make your cat groggy, act agitated, and give it a mild stomach upset or diarrhea. In some cases, kidney failure and even death may occur. If you suspect that your cat has ingested lethal houseplants, immediately contact your veterinarian or poison control center.

by: Irida Sangemino