5 Poisonous Houseplants for Cats

Some plants and flowers pose a risk to our beloved furry friends. Be cautious when choosing fauna to keep your house or backyard busy. Cats may intuitively avoid consuming such plants. However, some of these plants are dangerous when cats brush or nibble against them.

Before adding any foliage to your home, read up on the following poisonous houseplants for cats.

5 Poisonous Houseplants for Cats

1. Jade

This miniature tree-looking plant with its oval-shaped leaves is appealing to use as a decorative house plant. Commonly known as ‘money plants.’ These low-maintenance plants are easy to grow indoors and are believed to bring financial luck.

Regrettably, jade is toxic to cats if chewed and can cause dermatitis if contacted. Cats may vomit or show depressed behaviour after consuming jade. Excessive sleeping, lethargy, and weakness are other symptoms to look out for.

Symptoms of jade plant poisoning reveal soon. Consult the vet immediately instead of treating jade plant poisoning at home. You can wash the area your cats have come in contact with thoroughly before seeking treatment from the vet.

All jade parts are harmful to your cat.

2. Aloe

Aloe plants such as aloe vera have gained popularity in our homes. The gel inside is helpful for various medicinal purposes, such as a remedy for tropical burns. On top of that, aloe plants provide a herbal decorative touch in kitchens and bathrooms.

This useful perennial can make cats very sick if they ingest the aloe vera juice. Saponins are the toxic compounds found in aloe plants that pose a risk to cats. Felines will exhibit vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, depression, tremors, and change in the urine colour if exposed to saponins.

Symptoms may be vague however can be fatal if your cat ingested a significant amount. Symptoms may not appear immediately or after several hours, but take your cat to the vet if you suspect your pet has ingested aloe plant.

You may also have to change vary their food and find a suitable cat food for firm stool, to counteract the digestive problems they could experience.

3. Lilies

It’s evident to most cat owners that lilies and cats are dangerous. Instinctively, cats will not consume lilies. However, due to their adorable curiosity, cats may be exposed accidentally to the plant.

Lily flowers are pleasing to our eyes, and their sweet scent is lovely for our houses. Unfortunately, every part of the lily plant is poisonous to our feline friends. An unwitty touch or ingestion can cause serious harm to your cat.

All lily species are harmful to cats. There are almost a hundred species of lilies. Exposure to this plant can even cause kidney failure in cats. Vomiting, loss of appetite, and drooling are some of the symptoms you should be on the loom out for.

4. Tulip and Hyacinth

Despite their beauty and sweet scent these bouquets and garden plants bring to our living room, all parts of the plant and flower have harmful compounds. These bulb flowers have alkaloids that are highly toxic to cats.

Consuming the bulbs can cause drooling, vomiting, or diarrhoea, depending on the amount taken. Large ingestions can cause difficulty in breathing and an increase in the heart rate.

Keep away tulips and hyacinth from your cats. A wire mesh netting could separate these lovely plants from your furry friend.

5. Caladium

The green-heart-shaped leaves splotched with pink are the common trademark for this poisonous yet beautiful plant. Commonly known as the elephant ear, this plant adds a touch of beauty to empty-looking rooms and house yards.

Toxic to all pets, especially cats and dogs, chewing on caladium causes paramount irritation and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat. Calcium crystals in the leaves can cause soft tissue injury. Excessive drooling and vomiting may also occur.

Different plant toxins cause other severe effects to our four-legged friends. Be alert to what you constantly feed your cat. Also, researching what plants you keep in your house and compound can reduce the chance of accidental ingestion. The majority of the plants and flowers are harmful to cats.

The above common 5 poisonous houseplants for cats should get the ball rolling for you as a cat owner. By any chance, your cat gets in contact with such plants and has an allergic reaction; always seek veterinary services. Also, carry along with you the specimen of the toxin.

BIO

Hey, I’m Amy and I’m in love with my Pets! I have a diverse variety, including 2 cats, 1 dog, 3 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs, a rat, and a beautiful macaw. I love writing about everything pet-related and spend as much time as I can sharing my personal experiences on my blog. https://www.SmartCatLovers.org