The most harmful house plants for cats

Why do cats eat houseplants?

Pets love to chew grass. In this way they cleanse the stomach of fur. If they do not have access to drinking water, they try to quench their thirst with plants. Chewing flowers may indicate that the cat lacks vitamins.

The animal needs to be offered a special healthy herb

Which flowers are toxic to cats?

Poisonous plants for cats contain caustic sap that causes burns and swelling. Oxalic acid is dangerous in large quantities. All plants from the families Aroidaceae, Amaryllisaceae, Kutrovaceae and Euphorbia are poisonous to cats. Many owners have a question: is dracaena dangerous for cats or not. Will ficus and cats, geraniums and cats get along in an apartment? You need to familiarize yourself with the list of poisonous plants so that such questions do not arise.

What indoor plants are dangerous for pets?

Almost all flowers grown in apartments are toxic to cats. The most dangerous are considered to be seemingly harmless flowers: azalea, aloe, zephyranthes, anthurium, zamioculcos, geranium, dracaena fringe, ivy, ficus, etc. These plants are poisonous and can cause burns, inflammation of the mucous membranes, and vomiting in pets , diarrhea, swelling, cramps or lead to damage to the nervous system.

Cats always react differently to toxins that enter the esophagus: some look healthy and cheerful, while others become lethargic, exhausted, etc. It is worth paying attention to the fact that most toxins accumulate in the body for years, until one day the concentration reaches a critical level level.

Popular houseplants that are dangerous for cats

Rare cat breeds: Karelian bobtail, Californian shining cat and others

Indoor plants that are dangerous to cats are varied. Almost all decorative flowers that people grow at home are dangerous for cats. The list of flowers that are poisonous to cats includes many names.

• Azalea. Beautiful flowers with white, pink, purple or red petals are deadly to cats. They are also toxic to humans. Azalea contains a poisonous alkaloid - andromedotoxin glycoside. This substance depresses the central nervous system and heart function, causing convulsions, laryngeal edema and kidney failure. Any part of the azalea is dangerous for cats.
• Begonia. Bright and beautiful begonia flowers can cause serious harm to a cat. This plant contains a large amount of oxalic acid, which burns and corrodes the mucous membranes and causes swelling of the larynx.
• Dieffenbachia. A cute and unpretentious evergreen flower from the Araceae family contains poisonous juice in its leaves. Severe poisoning occurs even if the cat chews the leaf a little. If it gets on the mucous membranes, the juice causes severe irritation, even burns. Edema of the larynx develops, leading to death. The pet may suffocate. If Dieffenbachia juice gets into the eyes, it burns the cornea, conjunctiva and eyelid skin. This often leads to blindness. The cat experiences severe pain in its eyes, rubs its muzzle with its paws, and shakes its head.
• Dracaena. The long narrow leaves of this plant attract cats, but for your pet it can lead to swelling of the larynx, vomiting and difficulty breathing.
• Kalanchoe. Even a medicinal plant, which is widely used in folk medicine, can cause poisoning in cats. If a cat bites off a Kalanchoe leaf, it may experience diarrhea and vomiting.
• Pachypodium. This plant contains juice rich in glycosides and alkaloids. If it gets into the mouth or onto an open wound, it causes cardiac paralysis.
• Peperomia. The round leaves of this plant contain many toxic substances, which cause swelling of the larynx, incoordination of movements, and acute heart failure.
• Fatsia japonica. Any part of this plant is dangerous for cats. In case of poisoning, the activity of the nervous system is seriously impaired.
• Ficus, spurge, poinsettia. Flowers from the genus Euphorbia are dangerous for cats (and even for people). Their milky juice causes deep non-healing burns, blindness, an allergic reaction, diarrhea, affects the nervous system, and leads to inflammation and ulcers.
• Philodendron. A large number of dangerous substances, including caustic acid, are contained in this evergreen plant. If a cat chews the leaves, it will burn the mucous membranes of its mouth.
• Haworthia. A small and compact plant is filled from the inside with caustic juice, causing swelling of the larynx.
• Cyclamen. The juice contains alkaloids in large quantities, causing cardiac and respiratory arrest. The tubers are the most dangerous part of the plant and, unfortunately, the most attractive to cats.

Dracaena is poisonous to cats

Some poisonous indoor plants for cats cause allergic dermatitis in pets, which requires long and persistent treatment:

• gardenia jasmine;
• zamia;
• Sensevieria;
• chlorophytum;
• Sheflera.

Chewing the leaves of aloe, geranium, and Usambara violet will result in digestive upset for a cat.

Dangerous outdoor ornamental plants and flowers

Many plants and flowers that are poisonous to cats grow outdoors. This is another reason not to let your cat outside. In addition, this should be kept in mind when traveling with a cat.

• Hyacinth. The cat should not even touch the hyacinth or smell the pollen, because any part of it contains toxic substances that cause impaired coordination of movements, neurological disorders and heart failure.
• Caladium. An unusual and colorful tropical plant can kill a cat. Caladium contains poisonous juice that causes severe burns to the larynx and mucous membranes. Edema develops, which leads to suffocation.
• Callas (callas). This flower belongs to the Araceae family and is rich in oxalic acid. When chewing the leaves and flowers of calla lilies, the cat will develop swelling of the larynx, coordination of movements will be impaired, and acute heart failure will develop.
• Lily. The pollen of this flower is very poisonous. You don't even need to chew the lily to be poisoned. Pollen can get on the animal's fur, then the cat will get poisoned just by licking itself. Lily pollen causes swelling of the mucous membrane and larynx, incoordination of movements, heart and kidney failure.
• Oleander. Plants of the Kutrov family contain poisonous sap that causes cardiac arrest.
• Snowdrops. For cats, not only any parts of this flower are poisonous, but also the water in which they stood. Animals develop allergies and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted. Poisoning can lead to cardiac arrest.

St. John's wort affects the central nervous system of felines. Gloriosa is deadly. Hogweed causes severe skin burns not only in humans, but also in animals. Periwinkle, hemp and poppy have hallucinogenic effects. Belladonna, petunia, datura and sweet tobacco cause drowsiness, stupor, vomiting and nausea. Burns and inflammation of the mucous membranes and skin are caused by fragrant rue, meadow lumbago, primrose and other primroses. Tulip and spring whiteflower affect the heart, nervous system, skin and poison the entire body. Foxglove and mistletoe are deadly to the heart and nervous system.

Oleander is a very poisonous plant

Many ornamental outdoor plants have a systemic toxic effect on the cat's body. This leads to the slow and painful death of the pet. Such plants include:

• aconite;
• henbane;
• wolf's bast;
• jasmine;
• lupine;
• buttercup;
• rhubarb;
• evergreen boxwood (buxus, Caucasian palm).

There are many dangers awaiting a cat in the garden. Potato and tomato shoots, unripe tomatoes, elderberries, the milky juice of old dandelions, and all parts of onions are poisonous to her.

Many street flowers cause severe digestive disorders:

• wisteria;
• iris;
• castor bean;
• crocus (saffron);
• Lakonos (Phytolacca);
• lily of the valley;
• lysichytum americana;
• clematis (clemantis);
• ferns.

People use saffron in cooking, but it is poisonous to pets

Convulsions, loss of coordination, heart and kidney failure, as well as a life-threatening condition - laryngeal edema - are provoked by the following plants:

• Arizema trifoliata;
• asparagus;
• autumn colchicum;
• white acacia;
• biota (thuja orientalis);
• three-pointed, holly-leaved maiden grape;
• helleborus (Christmas rose);
• hydrangea (leaves contain cyanide ions);
• Decembrist (epiphyllum, Schlumbergera, zygocactus, Christmas tree);
• delphinium (spur, larkspur);
• honeysuckle;
• dogwood;
• horse chestnut;
• narcissus;
• ivy;
• orange tree;
• rhododendron;
• tobacco;
• yew berry;
• physalis;
• chrysanthemum;
• Cyperus (Russia);
• hellebore.

You should not let your cat get close to plants such as:

• Adonis spring;
• aquilegia;
• arum;
• euonymus;
• heliotrope pubescent;
• honeysuckle (fragrant honeysuckle);
• calendula;
• swimsuit;
• laurel;
• shepherd's purse;
• tansy;
• sagebrush.

It is believed that celandine juice helps remove fleas from cats. However, this plant is poisonous and causes convulsions, hallucinations, and digestive disorders.

Beautiful aquilegia can cause great harm to your pet

Hemlock is a poison known back in the ancient world. Poisoning manifests itself as dizziness, vomiting, foam at the mouth, and abdominal cramps. Balance and gait are disturbed, pupils dilate, epileptic seizures and paralysis develop with a fatal outcome.

Important! For girls who have a cat at home, bouquets of lilies, snowdrops, tulips, white acacias, chrysanthemums, daffodils, and hyacinths would be an inappropriate gift.

Symptoms of plant poisoning

Toy dogs: small indoor breeds

A loving owner should pay attention to the most minor symptoms of illness in animals. Characteristic signs of plant poisoning are:

• vomit;
• diarrhea;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• convulsions;
• foam at mouth;
• hard breath;
• redness and inflammation of the eyes and mucous membranes of the mouth;
• drowsiness.

If your cat frequently scratches or licks itself, this may indicate plant poisoning. Many flowers cause allergic dermatitis.

What to do if your cat stubbornly chews unsafe greens

Your furry pet needs to be weaned off the habit of chewing plants. The owners will need a little patience and time. The most important thing is to choose a balanced diet. Your cat should always have clean water and nutritious food rich in vitamins. Be sure to give your pet his favorite grass: sprouted oats, catnip, wheatgrass. You can buy them at a pet store.

Important! All flower pots must be removed where the cat cannot reach them. You can hang them on the walls in flowerpots, place them on a balcony, mezzanine or top shelves.

When the cat goes to the flower and chews it, you need to spray it with water from a spray bottle. Pet stores sell special repellers. The pet will quickly understand that chewing flowers is punishable.

If a cat chews a poisonous flower, there is no other option but a spray bottle

The best way to ensure that both the wolves are fed and the sheep are safe is to maintain order and cleanliness in the house. To save the flower and not harm the cat, you need to hide dangerous flowers away. You can offer your cat green sprouts of young oats for chewing.

Should I get rid of my dracaena plants?

If you've had a dracaena plant for a long time and your pet has never given it a second glance, then it's probably fine no matter where it is. However, if you are having trouble, you should move it somewhere your pet can't reach, such as a high shelf or hanging basket. A room where your pet doesn't go is also an option.

We brought this flower home, our cat really liked it, he doesn’t leave his side, eats it and then burps (I hit it in the face, it doesn’t help, I ate it again at night, put it on the balcony, only brought it in in the morning, the cat is right there, what should I do? ? How to scare him away from a flower? It’s a shame, he’ll eat it all up (and it’s probably harmful to the cat too?

Published May 22, 10:41

Precautionary measures

If the owner does not know whether dracaena is poisonous or not for cats, then he does not need to grow this flower in the house. You should always remember which flowers are poisonous to cats and which are not. It is advisable to keep only non-poisonous plants in the house, such as arrowroot, roses, coleus, cacti, catnip, violets (but not uzambara), cereals, basil, mint, thyme, lettuce, parsley. If, after all, there is a dangerous flower in the apartment, then it must be placed in the most inaccessible place for the cat.

Following safety measures and choosing the right home flora is a great way to decorate your interior without harming your pet. But before buying, you need to read the description of the flower and check the prohibited list.

Life with plants

If there is still a plant in the house that is potentially dangerous for your pet, then it is necessary to remove it to a place where the cat does not have access. In addition, it is necessary to treat pots with plants with substances that have an unpleasant odor for cats, such as citrus essential oils or menthol. You can also plant healthy grass for your pet, which he can eat without harm to his health: cereals, mint, lemon balm, catnip.

We brought this flower home, our cat really liked it, he doesn’t leave his side, eats it and then burps (I hit it in the face, it doesn’t help, I ate it again at night, put it on the balcony, only brought it in in the morning, the cat is right there, what should I do? ? How to scare him away from a flower? It’s a shame, he’ll eat it all up (and it’s probably harmful to the cat too?

Published May 22, 10:41