Most people have a certain number of indoor plants in their home. They differ in their appearance, height and shape, but help to make housing more cozy and comfortable. House plants are good when there are no feline pets in the house. Cats are very curious and will not bypass green spaces. You should be aware that many of them can be harmful and dangerous for your pets.
Cats love to smell flowers, touch them with their paws and even gnaw them. This can bring harm not only to green spaces, but also to your beloved four-legged friend. Some plantings are poisonous and toxic, for a cat “acquaintance” with them can result in poisoning, allergies, various diseases, and in some cases, death. Therefore, you need to be careful, choose the right plants for your home if you have a cat or you are going to have one.
What plants are bad for cats?
The green spaces growing in your home can affect your pet in different ways. Harmful plants and symptoms indicating animal poisoning:
- Poinsettia. A beautiful flower that irritates the mucous membrane of the mouth has a negative effect on the stomach and intestines. Signs indicating poisoning may include vomiting and diarrhea.
- Ficus (dwarf). It also irritates the mucous membrane of the stomach, intestines and oral cavity. May cause vomiting if poisoned.
- Aloe vera. If the juice of a plant helps a person with burns, then it will be poisonous for a cat. This plant is not recommended to keep when there is a four-legged pet in the house. Cat poisoning with Aloe Vera manifests itself in the form of vomiting, depression, refusal of food, convulsions, diarrhea.
- Chrysanthemum. Pretty dangerous for a pet. In addition to the usual mucosal irritations, diarrhea and cramps, it can cause heart, kidney and lung problems, as well as allergic dermatitis.
- Gypsophila - also called "Child's Breath". The plant has small flowers, it can be used to decorate a bouquet. When poisoned by them, the cat is likely to display vomiting and diarrhea.
- Dieffenbachia. It is very poisonous for a cat. If its juice gets on the larynx of an animal, swelling of the larynx is possible, up to respiratory arrest. If Dieffenbachia juice gets on the mucous membrane of the eye, vision loss may occur. Signs of poisoning are vomiting and difficulty breathing.
- Begonia. Contains oxalic acid, which leads to burns of the oral mucosa, swelling of the larynx is likely. Begonia poisoning can be determined by the abundant salivation of the animal, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing food, as well as by irritated tongue and lips.
- Geranium. Causes stomach upset. Poisoning manifests itself in the form of vomiting and diarrhea.
- Dracaena. One of the most toxic plants for cats. Its juice contains saponins (chemically active elements). They are very irritating to the mucous membrane of the esophagus of the animal. In case of poisoning, severe vomiting with blood is possible. Appetite also disappears, salivation increases, pupils dilate, depression may appear. Stopping breathing can lead to death.
There are many plants that harm pets. Therefore, you need to be careful about new plants in your home so that they do not harm your animal.
Preventive measures
If you have a four-legged friend, it would be right not to plant especially dangerous plants. Even if you place them in an inaccessible place, there are still chances that a cat or other animal will get to its “target”. Choose crops that are safe for the cat, choose the right flowers for bouquets. If this does not work, then put the plants in separate rooms where your pet does not go. You can experiment and put flowers on the mezzanine, cabinets almost under the ceiling, perhaps no one will touch the plants there.