Introduction
Cats are curious creatures and will sometimes chew on and ingest houseplants. Eating plants is normal cat behavior, but some common houseplants can be toxic to cats and cause serious health issues. This article provides an overview of houseplants that are dangerous for cats, signs of plant poisoning in cats, what to do if your cat eats a toxic plant, how vets treat plant poisoning, recovery and aftercare, preventing future plant ingestion, differences in toxicity between cats and dogs, and when you should be concerned about plant poisoning in your cat.
Common Houseplants Toxic to Cats
There are many common houseplants that can be toxic to cats if ingested. Some of the most toxic houseplants for cats include:
- Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) – All parts of the sago palm plant are extremely poisonous to cats, dogs, and humans. Ingesting even a small amount can cause severe liver failure and death within days.1
- Lilies (Lilium and Hemerocallis species) – All parts of lilies are toxic to cats, even the pollen. Lily ingestion causes acute kidney failure in cats within a very short period.2
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) – Just a small amount of any part of the oleander plant can cause heart problems, low blood pressure, and gastrointestinal distress in cats.3
- Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe species) – All parts of kalanchoe can irritate the mouth and digestive tract. It may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abnormal heart rhythms if ingested.3
It’s important to keep these and other poisonous houseplants well out of reach of curious cats. Consult a complete list before bringing any new plants into a home with cats.
Signs of Plant Poisoning
If a cat ingests a toxic plant, they may show signs of poisoning within a few hours. Common symptoms of plant poisoning in cats include:
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Pawing at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or depression
Cats often vomit shortly after ingesting toxic plants as their body tries to eliminate the toxin. Vomiting may be frequent and uncontrolled. Diarrhea may contain blood or plant matter. Cats may also paw at their mouth if they have irritation or burning sensations. Other signs like dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, seizures, and collapse can occur with severe poisoning.
According to veterinarians, some of the most common symptoms of plant poisoning specifically include drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea (https://www.germantownah.com/site/blog-memphis-vet/2020/03/09/house-garden-plants-toxic-to-cats). These gastrointestinal signs are the body’s way of trying to expel the toxin. If a cat displays any unusual symptoms after eating a plant, it’s important to watch them closely and contact a vet.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats a Toxic Plant
If you see your cat eating a houseplant or chewing on leaves and you suspect it may be toxic, immediate action is important. According to Poison Control (https://www.poison.org/), the first step is to remove your cat from the area and prevent them from eating any more of the plant. Wipe their mouth to remove any remaining pieces. Collect a sample of the plant, including the leaves, stems, and flowers if possible for identification.
Next, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center like ASPCA Poison Control (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) right away. They can help you identify the plant and any toxins, and advise you on any immediate treatment needed before bringing your cat to the vet. According to Olympia Pet Emergency (https://www.olympiapetemergency.net/site/blog/2021/11/11/plants-toxic-cats), it’s important not to induce vomiting at home unless specifically instructed by poison control or your vet, as this can make some toxins worse.
Watch your cat closely for any signs of poisoning like vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, difficulty breathing, weakness, or tremors. Contact poison control immediately if you notice any concerning symptoms arise.
Getting Veterinary Treatment
If your cat shows any symptoms of plant poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or seizures, you should take them to the vet immediately. According to PetMD, plant poisoning symptoms can appear anywhere from 30 minutes to several days after ingestion depending on the toxic principles in the plant, so don’t wait to see if symptoms improve.
Bring a sample of the plant your cat ingested to the vet, if possible, to help identify the toxin. Be prepared to provide details on when and how much your cat ate. The sooner treatment begins, the better chance your cat has of making a full recovery.
Even if you don’t observe any concerning symptoms, it’s still a good idea to call your vet or an animal poison control center if you know your cat ate a potentially toxic plant. They can advise you on signs to watch for and when to bring your cat in. Waiting too long to seek treatment could allow toxins to build up in your cat’s system, leading to irreversible organ damage and possibly death in some cases.
While home detox methods like inducing vomiting or giving activated charcoal may seem like a good idea, vets recommend bringing your cat in instead of attempting to treat plant poisoning yourself. They can properly identify the toxin and provide the right supportive therapies for your cat’s situation.
How the Vet Will Treat Plant Poisoning
If your cat has ingested a toxic plant, your veterinarian will first evaluate your cat’s symptoms and determine how much and what part of the plant was consumed. Treatment will depend on the type of plant, amount ingested, and how severely your cat is affected.
Some common treatments the vet may use include:
- Inducing vomiting. If the plant was very recently ingested, the vet may give your cat hydrogen peroxide orally or an injection of apomorphine to make them vomit up any remaining plant material in their stomach before it can be absorbed.
- Activated charcoal. Activated charcoal can help absorb toxins from the gastrointestinal tract before they enter the bloodstream. This may be given orally or through an IV.
- IV fluids. The vet will give your cat intravenous fluids to help flush toxins out of their system and prevent dehydration from vomiting or diarrhea.
In more severe cases, medications may be given to control heart rate, blood pressure, seizures, or other symptoms. Your vet will tailor the treatment plan to your cat’s specific situation.
Treatment focuses on removing toxins from your cat’s body and providing supportive care as they recover. With prompt veterinary treatment, many cats make a full recovery after ingesting a poisonous plant.
[Source: Garden Plant Toxicity in Cats](https://www.petmd.com/cat/poisoning/garden-plant-toxicity-in-cats)
Recovery and Aftercare
After your cat receives initial treatment for plant poisoning from ingesting a toxic houseplant, there are some important at-home care steps to promote your cat’s recovery. Be sure to follow all discharge instructions from your veterinarian closely.
You’ll need to monitor your cat very closely during the recovery period. Check on your cat frequently and watch for any return of symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or lethargy. Contact your vet right away if you notice a recurrence of any concerning signs. According to WagWalking, the sooner treatment is started after plant poisoning, the better the prognosis.
Make sure your cat has easy access to fresh water to stay hydrated. Offer bland, gentle foods like boiled chicken and rice in small, frequent portions. Avoid giving fatty foods during recovery. Stick to your vet’s recommendation for how long to feed the bland diet before slowly reintroducing your cat’s regular food.
Your vet may prescribe medications to give at home to help manage any lingering effects of toxicity and promote healing. Be sure to give all medications as directed. Limit your cat’s activity during recovery and provide a comfortable, safe space for your cat to rest and recover.
Closely monitor litter box habits to ensure your cat is passing regular bowel movements and urinating without issue. Call your vet if you notice any abnormal urine or stool. With prompt treatment and attentive aftercare, most cats make a full recovery after plant poisoning.
Preventing Future Houseplant Ingestion
The best way to prevent your cat from eating toxic houseplants in the future is to cat-proof your plants. There are a few techniques you can try:
Choose houseplants that are known to be non-toxic for cats. Some good options include spider plants, Boston ferns, and parlor palms (1). Just be sure to research any new plant before bringing it home.
Place houseplants out of reach of cats. Keep them on high shelves, windowsills, or plant stands that your cat can’t access. You can also hang plants from the ceiling.
Use deterrent sprays on houseplant leaves and soil. Citrus or mint scents often put cats off. Reapply deterrents regularly (2).
Cover exposed soil with rocks, pebbles, or sticks to prevent digging. Cats may be less tempted to eat plants if they can’t easily access the soil.
Consider using an indoor pet fence or enclosure to block off certain plant areas. This keeps your cats away while still displaying greenery.
With some creativity and cat-proofing, you can keep toxic plants safely out of paws’ reach. Focus on prevention, and you can avoid emergency vet visits in the future.
Toxicity Differences Between Cats and Dogs
Cats are more vulnerable to toxicity from houseplants than dogs for a few key reasons:
Cats are more likely to nibble on and ingest houseplants due to their innate curiosity and tendency to chew on leafy greens. Dogs on the other hand usually avoid unfamiliar plants unless they smell or taste appealing (Source: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants).
Cats lack certain liver enzymes that allow dogs to better metabolize and excrete some plant toxins before they can build up to dangerous levels. This makes cats more susceptible to poisoning from smaller doses (Source: https://www.quora.com/Are-all-houseplants-poisonous-for-cats-and-dogs-If-not-what-makes-the-difference-between-the-poisonous-and-non-poisonous-plants).
Cats also have a lower body weight than many dogs, so toxins tend to get concentrated faster with smaller doses. A small amount of plant matter can poison a cat, while a larger dog may experience milder effects from the same amount ingested (Source: https://www.pilea.com/post/popular-houseplants-that-are-poisonous-to-cats-and-dogs).
Certain plants like lilies are extremely toxic to cats, causing kidney failure and death from ingesting even a small part of the plant. Dogs are not affected nearly as severely by lilies (Source: https://www.quora.com/Are-all-houseplants-poisonous-for-cats-and-dogs-If-not-what-makes-the-difference-between-the-poisonous-and-non-poisonous-plants).
In summary, cats are more vulnerable to plant toxicity due to their curious nature, metabolism, lower body weight, and sensitivity to certain plant compounds.
When to Worry About Your Cat
If your cat has ingested a toxic plant, there are certain symptoms that indicate you should seek veterinary care immediately. The most concerning symptoms to watch for include:
- Difficulty breathing or panting
- Excessive drooling or difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting or diarrhea, especially if bloody or containing pieces of the plant
- Seizures or tremors
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Jaundice or yellowing of the gums, skin or eyes
According to Poison Control (https://www.poison.org/), you should take your cat to the vet or an emergency animal hospital right away if any of these signs are present. Even if you only suspect your cat has eaten a toxic plant, it’s better to err on the side of caution and get examined since some toxins can quickly cause liver or kidney damage.
Other less severe but still concerning symptoms include lethargy, dilated pupils, hyperactivity, loss of appetite or increased thirst. You’ll still want to get your cat checked, but these signs may allow you a bit more time to get to the vet clinic.
The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances your cat will fully recover after eating a poisonous houseplant. So don’t wait if you notice any suspicious symptoms after your cat has access to indoor plants.