If you think your cat has eaten part of a poisonous plant, take her to your vet right away. if you can, take the plant with you for easy identification. If you think your animal is sick or may have ingested a poisonous substance, please contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA 24-hour poison emergency hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435.
poinsettias may get the worst review in the plant world. They have a reputation for deadly beauties, but is this ubiquitous Christmas plant really toxic? about 70 percent of the population will answer yes, and while every year there are a slew of stories to the contrary, the myth persists. in reality, excessive poinsettia ingestion may cause only mild to moderate irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, which may include drooling and vomiting.
it all started in the early 20th century when the 2-year-old boy of an American. an army officer is alleged to have died from consuming a poinsettia leaf, says snopes. As these things have a habit of doing, the toxic potential of poinsettia has become greatly exaggerated, and many concerned cat parents now treat poinsettia as persona non grata (or, as the case may be, poinsettia). non grata Easter) in their homes. Keeping this plant out of your pet’s reach to avoid stomach upset is still a good idea, but according to the aspca, you don’t need to banish poinsettia from your home for fear of fatal exposure.
so poinsettias, consider yourself acquitted. As for the other holiday favorite? mistletoe has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems (and not just from forced kissing); however, ingesting mistletoe generally only causes gastrointestinal upset. but there are other common houseplants that have been reported to have some serious systemic effects and/or strong effects on the gastrointestinal tract of animals.
here is aspca’s list of the 17 most toxic plants to keep your kitty away from.
lilies. members of the lilium species are considered highly toxic to cats. Many types of lilies, such as tiger, Asiatic, Japanese spectacle, Easter, stargazer, and white house lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats. while the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that even very small amounts of the plant are ingested, serious kidney damage could result.
marijuana. ingestion of cannabis sativa by pets can cause central nervous system depression and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma, even if not make. do not inhale.
sago palm. all parts of cycas revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the most toxins. swallowing just one or two seeds can cause very serious effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures, and liver failure.
tulip/daffodil bulbs. the bulbous portions of tulips and daffodils contain toxins that can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, central nervous system depression, seizures, and cardiac abnormalities.
azalea/rhododendron. Members of the rhododendron family contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can cause vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, and central nervous system depression in animals. severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
oleander. all parts of nerium oleander are considered toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects, including irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, abnormal cardiac function, hypothermia, and even death.
Ricin. The poisonous principle of ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can cause intense abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. severe cases of poisoning can cause dehydration, muscle spasms, tremors, seizures, coma, and death.
cyclamen. cyclamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is usually found in the root part of the plant. if consumed, cyclamen can cause significant gastrointestinal irritation, including severe vomiting. deaths have also been reported in some cases.
kalanchoe. This plant contains components that can cause gastrointestinal irritation, as well as being toxic to the heart, which can seriously affect heart rate and rhythm.
yew. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as tremors, lack of coordination, and shortness of breath. it can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and heart failure, which can cause death.
amaryllis. these common garden plants are popular around the holidays and contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, and tremors.
autumn crocus. Ingestion of colchicum autumnale by pets can cause oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multiple organ damage, and bone marrow suppression.
chrysanthemum. These popular flowers are part of the Compositae family, which contain pyrethrins that can cause gastrointestinal upset such as drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested. in certain cases, depression and loss of coordination may also develop if a sufficient amount of any part of the plant is consumed.
English ivy. Also called branch ivy, glacier ivy, spike ivy, sweet ivy, and California ivy, hedera helix contains triterpenoid saponins which, if ingested by pets, can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and diarrhea.
peace lily (also known as mauna loa peace lily). spathiphyllum contains calcium oxalate crystals which may cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and severe burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue in pets who ingest it.
potos. Pothos (both scindapsus and epipremnum) belongs to the Araceae family. If chewed or ingested, this popular houseplant can cause significant mechanical irritation and inflammation of oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.
schefflera. schefflera and brassaia actinophylla contain calcium oxalate crystals which may cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing and severe burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and the tongue in ingesting pets.
Originally posted: January 11, 2012
