6 Toxic Houseplants for Cats
Some houseplants are poisonous to cats. Ingestion of these plants or even contact with them can be harmful to your pet. It’s important to try and avoid the chances of them coming in contact with these poisonous plants. The common symptoms of toxicity in cats include drooling, lack of coordination, vomiting, breathing issues, and even death.
Common plants that are poisonous to cats include:
1. Ficus
The ficus plant is very common in homes. This is because it is a hardy plant and easy to maintain. However, they do have toxic properties, particularly in the leaves and roots of the plant. The toxins in this plant can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea complications in cats. Ingesting it can also cause liver damage.
2. Poinsettia
The poinsettia plant is often used as a Christmas decoration. It is also poisonous to cats because of the toxins in it. This can cause drooling, lack of coordination, and diarrhea. If your cat chews on this plant or ingests too much of it, they can get these symptoms more severely, leading to death for some cats.
3. Peace lilies
Peace lilies are poisonous to cats because of the presence of calcium oxalate. If your cat ingests too much of it, then they can get burning in their mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and breathing problems. It also has a toxic effect that leads to dehydration and kidney failure.
4. Sago palms
Sago palms are another plant that is poisonous to cats. This plant contains cycasin, which causes the cells in your cat’s body to start dying. The toxins can cause drooling, lack of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
5. Spider plant
The spider plant is one of the most common houseplants that people have in their homes. It has a nutrient called phytotoxin that attacks a cat’s nervous system and leads to a lack of balance and coordination. You may also see voting and diarrhea, even leading to liver damage.
6. Pothos
The pothos plant is easy to grow, and so it’s a popular choice for homeowners. However, it contains a toxin called oxalate that can cause your cat to develop a lack of coordination, diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms if they ingest too much of this plant. It can also cause breathing problems.
If you do have any of these plants in your home, ensure they are in areas where your cat doesn’t have access to them. Try hanging plants from the ceiling or putting them on top of cabinets or bookshelves. This will reduce the chance of your cat getting into your plants and becoming sick.