What plants are toxic to cats and when to see an emergency vet in Bundoora

Our feline friends love chewing on leaves and digging inside pots. And while all plants may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset in cats, there are some plants which, when ingested, can cause life-threatening problems like acute kidney failure and even death. Fresh cut flowers may look beautiful in your entryway, but all cat owners should be aware of the dangers of your cat ingesting those flowers. If you live around Bundoora and suspect your cat has eaten a toxic plant, immediately get in touch with an emergency vet in Bundoora to get it the best care.

Why do cats eat plants?

Cats are pure carnivores; they naturally eat only meat. A cat should never be given a purely vegetarian diet, as this can cause life-threatening amino acid deficiencies. But then, if it's not the taste and nutritional benefits, why is it that your cat loves chewing on your house plants?

While no one knows for sure why our feline friends indulge in this behaviour, there are several theories that might be able to explain it. The first theory claims that eating grass or other plants may provide your cat with some nutrients it needs to improve gastrointestinal health. Some researchers believe that plants provide cats with trace amounts of vitamins and minerals that may be missing in their diet.

Another theory believes that when a cat is dealing with a gastrointestinal issue, such as food allergies, stomach ache or inflammatory bowel disease, eating plants may help it feel better. By eating plants, your cat may be trying to fill up her stomach to ease the pain, or is trying to induce vomiting to remove the offending item from the stomach.

A third theory believes that cats that habitually eat plants do it due to stress. This is similar to stress eating or nail biting in humans, and it is important to figure out what is stressing the cat out.

Toxic plants for cats

While it shouldn’t be a cause for concern if your cat is occasionally eating grass, some plants can be highly poisonous to cats, and even a tiny nibble of these could land your cat in trouble.

Here are a few plants that are highly toxic to cats. Please note that this list is not extensive, and to get the best care, it is important to take a sample of the plant or your cat’s vomit with you to your local vet for easy identification and to help with treatment.

1. Aglaonema
   
2. Aloe vera
   
3. Amaryllis
   
4. Anthurium
   
5. Arrowhead vine
   
6. Asparagus fe
   
7. Autumn crocus
   
8. Azaleas
   
9. Bird of paradise
   
10. Chrysanthemum
    
11. Crown of Thorns
    
12. Cyclamen
    
13. Daffodil
    
14. Dieffenbachia
    
15. Dracaena Fragrans
    
16. Dracaena Marginata
    
17. Dracaena Deremensis
    
18. Elephant ear
    
19. Emerald feather
    
20. Firestick
    
21. Gladiola
    
22. Hellebore
    
23. Hyacinth
    
24. Hydrangea
    
25. Iris
    
26. Ivy, including English Ivy and Devil’s ivy
    
27. Kalanchoe
    
28. Lace fe
    
29. All kinds of Lilies, including Arum, Asian, Calla, Climbing, Day, Easter, Lily of the Valley, Rubrum, Stargazer, Tiger, Wood and Peace lilies.
    
30. Mistletoe
    
31. Morning glory
    
32. Mother-in-law’s tongue
    
33. Narcissus
    
34. Nightshade
    
35. Panda plant
    
36. Plumosa fe
    
37. Poinsettia
    
38. Pussy’s ears
    
39. Sago palm
    
40. Spanish thyme
    
41. Tulip
    
42. Yew

What to do if your cat has accidentally been exposed to a toxic plant

If your cat has access to the great outdoors, chances are they will experience one of these plants at least once in their lives. It is imperative to know the signs of poisoning so you can get them to an emergency vet in Bundoora before it is too late. Irritation or inflammation around the eyes, skin or mouth, such as redness, itchiness or swelling; vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, drooling, excessive drinking and urinating, abnormal heart beat, low body temperature, lethargy and seizures are all symptoms of plant poisoning.

If your cat eats a little grass or non-toxic plant and vomits a little, there’s not much need to worry unless she starts showing any of the other symptoms above. If your cat does start showing one or more of the above symptoms, immediately take her to a Bundoora vet, along with a sample of the plant or chewed up plant material or your cat’s vomit. Your cat may need to be hospitalised, treated with intravenous fluids and given supportive care to restore it back to health. Symptoms will vary from cat to cat, depending upon its breed, size and the part of plant that is ingested and how much of it is ingested.

Safe plants for households with cats

If you do want to keep a few plants around the house, the Spider plant, Wandering Jew, Christmas cactus and Bromeliads, along with catnip and cat-grass are all safe plants to have in households with cats.