Poisonous plant lists can be misleading, as some plants on these lists will cause rapid death, whereas others will induce only mild irritation. Poinsettias fall into the latter category.
Poinsettias are Mildly Toxic to Cats
The milky sap of poinsettias can cause irritation of the mouth and digestive tract. A cat that has consumed portions of a poinsettia may experience excessive salivation and vomiting due to irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, but this should clear up on its own.
If a cat has ingested a large quantity of the poinsettia, placing a call to a veterinarian or local animal emergency clinic is recommended just to be on the safe side. However, this is unlikely, as poinsettias aren’t particularly tasty.
Although poinsettias have an undeserved reputation as a dangerous plant, it’s lilies that cat owners should avoid keeping in the house.
Lilies are Extremely Poisonous to Cats
Lilies are beautiful but deadly. Consumption of any part of the greenery or flowers can induce fatal kidney failure in cats. Just biting a petal or leaf, drinking water from a vase containing cut lilies, or licking lily pollen from his paws may kill a cat. Cats that don’t die outright from lily poisoning often require weeks of dialysis.
If an owner suspects that his cat has been poisoned by a lily, he should seek emergency veterinary care immediately, as most cats suffer kidney failure in 36-72 hours without treatment. Symptoms of lily poisoning include:
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
How to Prevent Cats from Eating Plants
With lilies, the safest strategy for cat owners is to avoid keeping them in the house at all, or at the very least, keep them in a room that is inaccessible to cats. As for poinsettias, while not deadly, these and other popular flora can be irritating and unpleasant if swallowed by pets. To prevent cats from eating plants:
- Grow some cat grass and catnip indoors – most cats will choose these over less appealing houseplants.
- Surround plants with something that cats dislike walking on, such as Sticky Paws® tape or carpet runner (pointy side up).
- Use a product that makes the leaves less appealing, such as Grannick’s Bitter Apple® or Veterinarian’s Best® Bitter Cherry Spray.
- Purchase a high-tech deterrent, such as a motion-activated device that emits a harmless burst of air to startle pets as they approach plants, such as the SSSCAT® cat repellent device.
Spraying plants with vinegar is often recommended as a deterrent, but this may harm the plants. Other recommended strategies, such as moth balls, citrus oil, or chili powder can harm pets, and possibly children as well.
Cat-Safe Plants
Although poinsettias and many other plants are either non-toxic or only mildly irritating to pets, the pesticides on them can be highly toxic. Choose organically grown plants and flowers for safety. For a list of non-toxic plants and flowers, see Plants That are Safe for Cats.
Foods That are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs
In addition to the ubiquitous poinsettias, the holiday season is accompanied by a broad array of food and drink, but some of these human treats can be harmful to pets. See Foods That are Toxic to Cats and Dogs for a list of items to keep out reach of inquisitive paws.
References:
- ASPCA Virtual Pet Behaviorist. (2009). "Cats Who Eat Plants." ASPCABehavior.org.
- David Suzuki Foundation. (2008). “Mothballs: They Smell Bad for a Reason.” DavidSuzuki.org.
- Drs. Foster & Smith, Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department. (2008). “Citrus Oil Toxicity in Cats and Dogs.” PetEducation.com.
- Lane, M.C., Dr. (n.d.). “My Cat Ate a Poinsettia, Now What?” I Love Cats, ILuvCats.com.
- UC Davis, University of California. (3 April 2009). “Lilies Deadly to Cats, Veterinarians Warn.” News.UCDavids.edu.
Jennifer Copley - Jennifer Copley, BFA, BEd, has a diverse base of expertise that includes research, writing, education, pet care, and various other ...
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