Some cats like to eat plants. But more than 422 kinds of plants are dangerous to cats. If eaten, it can injure cats’ organs and in severe cases, they can die. Which plants around us are harmful for cats?
Why Do Cats Eat Plants?
Cats are carnivores but they might have an interest in plants and even eat them.
Mostly, eating plants might help cats vomit the hairballs from their stomach and digest well. Also, cats eat plants because of the smell or taste. Or they may just chomp it for fun.
5 Toxic Plants For Cats
Toxic Plant 1. Lily
If cats eat any of the lily family such as lily, tulip, and silver droplet, they can have lily poisoning symptoms including paralysis, vomiting, and skin inflammation.
In severe cases, lilies cause acute kidney failure in cats.
Your cat shouldn't smell lilies. Nor drink water in a vase with lily.
Toxic Plant 2. Sansevieria
Sansevieria is known to purify the air. It is popular, pretty, and easy to grow.
But please note that saponin in sansevieria can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
Toxic Plant 3. Aloe
Aloe is included in the lily family and toxic for cats.
When you apply aloe vera lotion on you, make sure your cat doesn't lick you.
It’s because aloin in aloe juice can cause hypothermia, diarrhea, and hematuria in cats.
Toxic Plant 4. Baby's Breath
Baby's breath is commonly used as a decoration as it goes well with other flowers.
When ingested, cats may vomit or have diarrhea. It’s rare but cats can have skin irritation or inflammation after touching.
Toxic Plant 5. Tomato Plant (Leaf and Stem)
Cherry tomato is a popular gardening plant because it’s easy to plant and good to eat.
But Tomatine in the leaves and stems is harmful for cats.
When your cat touches the leaves or stems of tomato plants, she might have conjunctivitis, dermatitis, allergies, etc.
When she eats the parts, she might have breathing difficulties or diarrhea.
There are many other plants that are poisonous and toxic to cats such as lavender, chrysanthemum and azalea. So, check out the list of dangerous plants to cats and keep your cat away from those.