Fall is officially upon us. It is time, once again, to start bringing all of your potted plants indoors and maybe even purchase a few new plants to spruce up your home a bit. However, if you have a curious cat make sure you check on the toxicity of the plants before bringing them into your home. Below is a list of toxic plants, how they will affect cats, and pictures to show you what the plant looks like.
Oleander – If consumed, oleander may make your cat lethargic or hypothermic. It can cause heart arrhythmia, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes even sudden death.
Lily – All varieties are incredible dangerous for cats. All parts of lilies are deadly to cats, including the pollen. The main complication that will lead to death is kidney failure.
Amaryllis – The leaves and blooms from the amaryllis plant are toxic to both cats and dogs. It will cause diarrhea, depression, excessive salivation, vomiting, and even seizures.
Baby’s Breath – A common flower for delicate arrangements, baby’s breath is the perfect bite sized disaster for your cat. It causes diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
Aloe Vera – Aloe is great for humans, not so great for cats. It can cause seizures, tremors, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Mistletoe – A popular plant in the winter, mistletoe can be deadly for your cat. It can cause low blood pressure, erratic behavior, vomiting, and difficulty breathing.
Diffenbachia – Also known as dumb-cane, this is a popular houseplant that contains calcium oxide, which can be a very irritation substance if chewed on. It can cause numbness of the mouth, ulcerations, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Cyclamen – This hardy plant has poisonous blooms. If ingested your cat may experience vomiting and diarrhea.
Don’t let curiosity kill the cat. Do your cat a favor and keep these poisonous plants out of your home.