Spring is right around the corner! While most of us can’t wait to ditch the cabin fever and breathe some life back into our homes, it’s important to know how to cultivate a safe environment for our cats as well. Here’s a list of 10 common plants that are toxic to cats.
Autumn Crocus
Toxicity – mild to severe
Symptoms – drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, bloody diarrhea, black tarry stool, organ damage, respiratory failure, seizures, and death
Azaleas/Rhododendrons
Toxicity – mild to severe
Symptoms – drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate and heart rhythms, low blood pressure, weakness, tremors, depression, blindness, seizures, and coma
Cyclamen
Toxicity – mild to moderate
Symptoms – drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate/rhythm, and seizures
Daffodils
Toxicity – mild to moderate
Symptoms – drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, abdominal pain, and abnormal breathing
Dieffenbachia
Toxicity – mild to moderate
Symptoms – drooling, pawing at the mouth, decreased appetite, and vomiting
Kalanchoe
Toxicity – mild to moderate, rarely severe
Symptoms – drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea
Lilies
Toxicity – moderate to severe, even fatal
Symptoms – loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and increased or decreased urination
Marijuana
Toxicity – moderate to severe
Symptoms – lethargy, difficulty walking, low heart rate, low blood pressure, decreased respiratory rate, dilated pupils, hyperactivity, vocalization, seizures, and coma
Sago Palm
Toxicity – severe
Symptoms – vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal swelling and/or pain, jaundice, black stools, and death
Tulips/Hyacinths
Toxicity – mild to moderate
Symptoms – drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, and difficulty breathing
If you suspect that your cat has ingested one of these plants, bring them to the vet right away. The sooner they are seen by a veterinarian, the better the chances are that the poisoning can be treated. Keep in mind that there are many other plants that are poisonous to cats that aren’t on this list. For a complete list of plants that are toxic to pets, visit http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poisons/.