Every cat owner knows these mischievous little troublemakers love to nibble on plants when you’re not looking. That’s why, if you have a cat, you should avoid these toxic plants at all costs. Whether your feline companion lives indoors or outdoors, here are some of the most common plants poisonous to cats that you need to protect them from. <\/p>
In this article, we’ll explain how to identify these toxic plants and what could happen to your cat if they eat one. We’ll also provide advice on what to do if you think your furbaby needs medical attention. <\/p>
Identifying features: <\/strong>Green, spiky succulent leaves, sometimes with white spots, that grow in a rosette shape <\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>All parts of the plant contain saponins, which can cause gastrointestinal and neurological damage, and anthraquinone glycosides, which can cause gastrointestinal upset. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Bright red trumpet-shaped flowers with six petals, sometimes with white striations<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>The leaves, stems, and bulbs of the plant contain phenanthridine alkaloids, which can cause gastrointestinal upset, drops in blood pressure, and respiratory issues. The bulbs also contain raphide oxalate crystals, which can tear the soft tissue inside the digestive system. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant: <\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Blooms in early autumn; Light pinkish-purple bulbs with a white center and yellow stamens <\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>All parts of the plant contain a toxic alkaloid called colchicine, which can cause severe damage to the gastrointestinal system, liver, kidneys, respiratory system, or central nervous system. Ingesting this plant could lead to death. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant: <\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>More than 1,000 species of shrubs that can be deciduous or evergreen, large or small, with flowers of pink, white, red, or blue that bloom for several months in spring, summer, or early fall depending on the species<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>All parts of the plant contain grayanotoxins, which can cause damage to the skeletal and cardiac systems. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Large, star-shaped evergreen leaves that can be green, maroon, purplish, or bronze colored; bright red flowers that look like spiky balls can bloom year-round<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>The beans contain ricin, a highly toxic compound that can be fatal.<\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Fall-blooming flowers with feathery petals in bright orange, yellow, red, pink, lavender, or purple, depending on the species <\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>The flowers contain pyrethrins, which are used as pesticides. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Clumps of leaves that resemble tiny lily pads, with white, pink, lavender, or red flowers rising above the leaves on stems <\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>All parts of the plant contain saponins, which cause irritation when ingested in small quantities but can cause far more severe issues \u2014 even death \u2014 if consumed in large quantities. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant: <\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Bright yellow, star-shaped flowers with a trumpet-shaped tube protruding from the center<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>Daffodil bulbs contain lycorine, which triggers vomiting, and sharp crystals that cause severe irritation. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Fast-growing vine with shiny green leaves; new leaves are variegated with yellow<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>This plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate and penetrate tissue in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract when ingested. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Large green leaves shaped like spearheads, with greenish-white variegation<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>This plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate and penetrate tissue in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Large, heart-shaped green leaves with ridges and ruffled edges<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>This plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate and penetrate tissue in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract when ingested. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Fast-growing climbing vine or ground cover with small, glossy green leaves with white veins and three points <\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>The leaves and berries contain triterpenoid saponins, which irritate the gastrointestinal system. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant: <\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Soft green, roundish leaves with a strong minty scent <\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>Eucalyptus oil can damage cats’ internal organs because they aren’t able to digest it. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Tall spikes of tubular, drooping flowers in varying shades of purple, pink, or white <\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycoside toxins, poisons that affect the cardiac muscles and can lead to death. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant: <\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Grass-like foliage aboveground; garlic pods underground; garlic smell<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>Garlic contains N-propyl disulfide, which causes gastrointestinal upset and anemia in cats if consumed in large quantities. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> Identifying features: <\/strong>Rounded spikes of small flowers in spring colors such as lavender, pink, purple, blue, or white<\/p> Poisonous characteristics: <\/strong>The plant, especially the bulbs, contains the toxin lycorine, which induces vomiting and gastrointestinal upset. <\/p> Signs your cat has eaten this plant:<\/strong><\/p> 2. Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
3. Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
4. Azaleas (Rhododendron spp.<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
5. Castor bean (Ricinus communis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
6. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
7. Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
8. Daffodils (Narcissus spp.<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
9. Devil\u2019s ivy (Epipremnum aureum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
10. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia spp.<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
11. Elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
12. English ivy (Hedera helix<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
13. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
14. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
15. Garlic (Allium sativum<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
16. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>