Common Plants that are Toxic or Dangerous to Cats
Despite traditions or popularity, there are some plants that don’t go together well with owning cats or dogs. It is always advisable to check the plants or flowers you bring into your home to best protect your animals. Below is a list of some of the more popular plants that are actually toxic or dangerous to your furred friends.
Increased Risks During the Holiday Season
During the holiday season, pets are exposed to more hazards than usual. According to a five-year Google Trends analysis, the last two weeks of December typically see an increase in “ER vet” Google searches.
The Special Reports Team at Veterinarians.org took a closer look at the data to develop its 2021 Holiday Pet Safety Report, including a focus on where Google searches for an ‘ER vet’ are most popular in the U.S. during the holidays.
Key Findings
- Christmas Trees
- A poorly secured tree may fall on and injure an animal.
- Ingesting tree water or Christmas tree fertilizer can induce gastrointestinal distress in animals.
- To keep pets safe, pet owners should secure a Christmas tree to a wall or ceiling and wrap the tree stand with aluminum foil to prevent pets from drinking from it.
- Mistletoe, Holly, and Other Seasonal Plants
- A quarter-million potential animal poisoning cases are reported to the ASPCA annually.
- Most calls involve plants, which are the eighth most common pet toxin.
- Mistletoe, holly, lilies, azaleas, evergreens, and poinsettias are poisonous to animals.
- Choosing holiday decor for a home with pets is risky.
View the full study (https://www.veterinarians.org/holiday-pet-safety/)
To see a full list of plants that are toxic and non-toxic, please view the ASPCA list in this link
www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants.
- Lilies
The entire lily family has high potency to cats. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, weight loss, excessive drooling, and ultimately kidney failure. Any part of the lily is toxic. If you cat consumes any part of the lily, it is imperative to take them to an emergency veterinarian as soon as you can.
- Sago Palm
The sago palm is not only toxic but also dangerous due to the sharp points at the end of the fronds. Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, bloody vomit or diarrhea, bruising, and liver failure.
- Poinsettia
While very popular during the holidays, poinsettia when ingested can cause irritation to mouth and stomach and can result in vomiting.
- Amaryllis
Another traditional holiday plant, signs of ingestion include depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, excessive drooling and tremors.
- Ficus
The ficus (including the fiddle fig leaf) is a very popular family of plants. Signs of ingestion include gastrointestinal distress. Ficus also impacts animals skin causing dermal irritation if rubbed against.
- Philodendron
Another very trendy plant group that also has some negative side effects for our furred friends. Signs of ingestion include oral irritation and pain, swelling of mouth, lips, and tongue, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing.
- Pothos
A common household plant, pothos is toxic to cats and dogs. Symptoms of ingestion include oral irritation, burning of the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
- Dracaena
A popular plant in recent years, Dracaena when ingested can cause vomiting with blood, nausea, anorexia, and excessive drool.
- Lily of the Valley
Similar to the lily in high levels of toxicity, Lily of the Valley can cause a drop in heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmias, and sometimes seizures if consumed.
- Daffodil
While the most toxic part is the bulb, ingestion of any part of the daffodil can include vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmias.
In the case of any suspected ingestion, call your veterinarian immediately or bring your animal to your local emergency vet.