Top 6 Poisonous Plants for Cats

Do you have a cat? Are you concerned with keeping her safe from poisonous or toxic plants? Do you know which plants to be on the lookout for when you have a cat in your home?

 

Common Poisonous Plants for Cats Pet Parents Should Know

Keeping a cat indoors with houseplants can be tricky, especially with so many toxic houseplants commonly found in stores.

In the article below, you’ll find information about six of the most common poisonous plants for cats you should pay attention to. Keep these in mind when trying to avoid dangerous plants and choose the best, safest options for your pet. There are other house plants that can cause harm to your cat, so make sure you do research before bringing a plant into your home.

6 poisonous plants for cats to be on the lookout for include, but aren’t limited to:

Lilies

One of the types of poisonous plants for cats are lilies. There are many different types of lilies including Asiatic lilies, Daylilies and Peace lilies. These plants are popular in gift bouquets and pots and may be easily accessible to cats because of this. They are commonly exchanged as gifts around the holidays, especially Easter.

Ingestion of lilies (even a small amount of pollen) can cause mild to severe signs. Examples of mild signs are nausea and vomiting or even irritation of the mouth and throat, which may lead to excessive drooling. In severe cases with certain lily types we can see kidney failure and even death. If you have cats in your household it is best to keep lilies out of the house.

It is possible for cats to die from ingestion of Lilies, so stay away from this plant when choosing cat-safe options for your home. If your cat has been exposed, call an emergency vet as soon as possible to see what you should do.

Aloe

Aloe plants are a type of succulent that are popular options for small pots. Aloe vera gel—which is naturally found inside the leaves of the aloe plant—can be used to treat minor burns, rashes, and insect bites, which makes aloe a good choice for a lot of families.

However, aloe is dangerous for cats. Although cats usually will not die from ingesting aloe, it can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, which may lead to dangerous levels of dehydration if left untreated for too long.

Jade Plant

The waxy, dark green leaves of the jade plant make it a common choice for small pots in homes and offices. This plant comes in many varieties that all make striking statements in home décor. It is, unfortunately, also toxic to cats, and it can cause some mild to moderate symptoms if it is ingested by your feline family member.

Jade plants can cause lethargy, weakness, and vomiting if eaten by a cat. In more serious cases, they can also lead to a loss of coordination or confusion, although most cats will survive after ingesting this type of plant.

Monstera

Monstera has become a popular houseplant and comes in several varieties. It is characterized by its large, paddle-shaped leaves that may sometimes have natural holes or cut-outs, leading to its common name, “Swiss cheese plant.”

If a cat chews on a monstera plant, this may lead to swelling of the mouth and gums as well as other types of mouth irritation. It may also cause extreme drooling and vomiting, which can in turn cause the cat to become severely dehydrated in a short amount of time. Cats usually will not die from monstera ingestion, but can become very sick from it.

Pothos

Pothos, like monstera, can be found in many households because it is easy to care for and creates a stunning visual appeal. This plant has long stems that sometimes drape over and out of its container, making it appealing to cats who like to chew on plants.

Ingestion of pothos can cause mouth irritation, intense burning and swelling in cats leading to excessive drooling. It may also cause vomiting and diarrhea. Most cats will survive eating some of a pothos plant, but they may become very ill in the process and will need to go to the vet for treatment of the symptoms.

English Ivy

English ivy may look harmless, but it is actually quite dangerous for cats. This plant has long vines that sprout triangular dark green leaves with pale green trim. It is an attractive house plant that also tends to attract cats to chew on its vines.

If a cat eats English ivy, they may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diarrhea so they will require veterinary care.

Bring Your Pet to VEG if They’ve Ingested Any Poisonous Plants for Cats

Before bringing any plants into your home, make sure you do research to ensure they are healthy for your cat. With the help of this list, you should be better able to pick plants that are safe for your cat to be around. Make sure you know which plants to avoid for your cat’s safety and health, and pick safe plants moving forward.

If you do happen to already have a toxic houseplant in your home, consider rehoming it with a friend or moving it to your workplace instead. You may also keep it on a very high shelf or hanging from a ceiling hanger, but remember that cats can be persistent about getting to hard-to-reach locations.

If you know that your pet has eaten any of the poisonous plants for cats mentioned above, call our team at VEG right away. It’s important to know what to do next so that your pet can get the treatment they need as soon as possible. With many of our locations being open 24/7, and all of them being open 24 hours on weekends and holidays, you never have to wait to speak to an emergency vet when you need help. We’re here to answer all of your questions, and to give your cat the best possible care.