Poisonous Houseplants and Your Cat’s Safety: What You Should Know
Houseplants are a great way to bring the outdoors into our homes. Plants can bring benefits of improving indoor air quality, beautifying living quarters, and even easing symptoms of depression and anxiety. It’s important to know, however, that some houseplants are poisonous to cats.
Cats in particular are prone to mischief and may playfully bat at leaves or chew on plants out of boredom or curiosity. The potential for poisoning happens when cats ingest leaves, stems, or flowers. In mild cases, toxic plants can lead to skin irritation or an upset stomach. In serious situations, poisoning can lead to organ failure, seizures, or even death. Cats can hide their symptoms, which is an evolutionary trait that keeps them safe from predators. Symptoms can appear hours or even days later.
Your cat can display signs of houseplant poisoning like:
- Behavioral signs like decreased appetite, depression, drooling, or lethargy
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea
- Neurological symptoms like weakness, paralysis, or seizures
- Dermatological symptoms like mouth sores and red or irritated skin
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek veterinary care for your cat.
Plants to Avoid
To keep your feline friends safe, it’s best to avoid keeping certain household plants like the following:
- Lily: With over 90 varieties, lilies are frequently a favorite flowering household plant. However, the entire plant is very dangerous to cats. Poisoning can lead to kidney failure and even death if not treated within several hours.
- Jade: Jade plants are considered a good luck charm and are easy to care for. Jade is also highly toxic for cats and poisoning can be fatal in severe cases.
- Dieffenbachia: A common houseplant easily recognized by the patterned leaves, this plant can cause painful mouth sores and intense oral burning in pets.
- Snake Plant: The leaves of this plant are narrow and tall. If eaten, cats typically experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Eucalyptus: Whether dried or fresh, this decorative plant can cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Devil’s ivy (pothos): These plants with creeping vines contain a mineral that can cause irritation and burning in a cat’s mouth, tongue, and throat.
If Your Cat Ingests a Poisonous Plant
Seeking treatment can save hours of discomfort or possibly save your pet’s life. If you suspect your cat has eaten a poisonous plant, call us immediately at 404-792-0700. Our team at Cat Care of Vinings will talk with you about symptoms and treatment plans, and let you know when to seek emergency care.
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I am extremely fortunate to have taken her to Cat Care of Vinings… They take time to listen…answer questions, offer guidance…compassion, and give frequent and welcome updates.
…more information than the previous…places… Also,…we did not feel like they were pressuring us into paying for expensive procedures that may or may not work… [They] actually showed care and concern for our kitty…
CCV is a warm, quiet environment that helps my nervous cat feel more comfortable… The vet techs and office staff are skilled, helpful and friendly. A+
The staff are always welcoming and hospitable. Doctors will go out of their way to make sure your cat is taken care of and comfortable. They always return your calls and even call to check up on your cat after an appointment.
…We must say that Dr. Jennifer Palmer…is the BEST. Her medical experience, bedside manner, candor, and quest for knowledge…is immeasurable. She goes beyond the call of duty to ‘reach-out’ for answers and health options you may not be aware of.
Dr. Michael Friedlander is experienced, capable, kind, and caring with my cat and with me. Her staff is also excellent. Besides the excellent care for my cat, Michael also educated me on what I need to do to take care of my cat, such as vaccinations and heart worm prevention. This is a top notch feline veterinary hospital with a top notch staff!
Cat Care is exactly what it says. The whole office is geared toward all felines… There are cat trees, and cat friendly furniture throughout. But is what is more important is the feline expertise…
I was shocked at how little we knew even after more than a decade of cat ownership and regular vet visits. I really can't say enough about how thrilled we are with Dr. Palmer and Cat Care of Vinings. We just feel so fortunate to have you in our lives and are most grateful. Thank you all for all that you do! :-)
The Vets have taken time to know and understand both my kitties. All clinic staff are caring, knowledgeable, and generally first rate.
This veterinary clinic changed my cat's entire life…[he had] severe dental problems… I was reluctant to…do the procedures… I cannot stress how happy I am… Everyone treats the cats with love and care, and they treat the people with respect and offer great advice.
The veterinarians and staff here are very professional, caring and thorough (they check for things other vet clinics don’t). They genuinely love their clients (i.e. cats)…
I have had cats my whole life and have used many veterinarians over the years. Cat Care of Vinings provides the best care I have ever received for my 'kids' - cats
The quality of treatment and unbelievable care with which my kitten was treated are priceless to me especially as kitten moves into her later years. I wouldn’t take her anywhere else.
Knowledgeable, caring vets and a very supportive team. Highly recommended based on my personal experiences…
These people love your pet almost as much as you do… This seems less like a business and more like a labor of love. [They]…always keep you in the loop of what is happening…and put both you and your pet at ease…providing first rate care for you cat.
At Cat Care of Vinings, every person…demonstrated care. Everything was well explained… I received phone calls updating me on his progress and asking how he was after I took him home. They are compassionate and knowledgeable about cats and that is what really matters.
Where do I begin? There are so many positives about Cat Care of Vinings…this entire practice is on a whole other level… The environment is relaxing and the staff are comforting and supportive.