Even if we’re living in a concrete jungle with our feline friends, we probably have some plants around our homes. I mean, if we can take care of animals, we can keep plants alive, right? Some of us even love to garden, and our cats can hang out and keep us company while we care for those leafy greens and delicious veggies.
But while some of these plants might be nutritious for us, they may be dangerous to our kitties. If we’re keeping any sort of plants around our homes, we should be aware of which ones can pose a threat to the safety of our cats. After all, it’s likely we all have a least one kitty who enjoys nibbling on our precious little plants. So which plants are the most toxic to our pets? Check out the gallery below to find out!
#1 – Aloe Vera
Yep! This plant is a common one around the house, as it can be quite beneficial to us! But the plant is actually very toxic to our cats, and if you notice your cat chewing on this tough plant you should call your veterinarian. Symptoms of aloe toxicity occur about 6-12 hours after ingestion, and include diarrhea, vomiting, and tremors.
#2 – Asparagus Fern
Asparagus fern is commonly found in and around homes, and ingestion can be toxic to our felines. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal pain, and even allergic dermatitis.
#3 – Baby’s Breath
Baby’s Breath is common both indoors and outdoors. It’s one of the most popular flowers used in bouquets – so be sure to keep them out of reach of your kitty if you’ve got some in a vase. Ingestion of Baby’s Breath can lead to vomiting and diarrhea in our feline friends.
#4 – Eggplant
Cooked eggplant isn’t something your cat should always eat, but it isn’t necessarily harmful. However, all parts of the actual plant and the raw vegetable itself are very toxic to cats. Symptoms of toxicity include severe lower gastrointestinal pain and aggressive behavior.
#5 – Lilies
A wide variety of lilies are extremely toxic to cats, including the Asiatic, Day, Easter, Japanese Show and Tiger lilies. These are plants you want to keep far away from your kitties, because all parts of the plant are considered poisonous and can result in acute kidney failure in just 24-72 hours. Initial symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and lethargy. Left untreated, the exposure will lead to kidney failure and death.
#6 – Mistletoe
This might only be a common plant around the holidays, but it’s important to keep in mind the dangers it poses against our furry friends. When ingested, it can cause mild gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, but can also lead to abnormal heart rate and collapse.
#7 – Oleander
Oleander is a beautiful plant that is found very often around our homes, but it is very toxic if ingested by our pets. In fact, Oleander is even poisonous to humans! We probably don’t plan on eating it ourselves, but our kitties might think it’s a good idea. This plant contains toxins that affect the heart, and can lead to cardiac arrhythmia, collapse, and death.
#8 – Satin Pothos
Satin Pothos is a favorite houseplant for many, but it’s very toxic to our felines. Not only does ingestion cause irritation on the mouth, tongue, and lips, it can lead to vomiting and diarrhea as well.
#9 – Tomato Plant
While the ripened fruit itself is non-toxic to our pets, the plant is quite the opposite. Ingestion can result in severe vomiting and diarrhea.
#10 – Tulips
The toxins in Tulips are most often found in the bulbs, and it’s not uncommon for them to look enticing to our cats. But even ingesting small amounts can lead to inflammation of the mouth and esophagus, with large ingestions leading to difficulty breathing and increased heart rates. It’s best to keep these plants away from our felines.
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