Potted plants are a timeless decoration of many houses and apartments and are a beautiful complement to all interiors. Unfortunately, sometimes they can be very dangerous to our four-legged friends. This is something that every cat lover should be aware of.
Chewed leaves/flowers and torn up soil are daily for many cat owners – nibbling plants is an instinctive cat behavior that, in natural conditions, allows the cat to get rid of undigested food remains and pilobezoars. However, you should be aware that many potted plants contain toxic substances, the consumption of which causes damage to internal organs (including liver, kidneys and nervous system) and, consequently, the occurrence of symptoms of poisoning. This poses a significant threat to the animal’s health and life.
Plant species that cat owners should absolutely not have in their homes include:
- Azalea
- Lilies
- Cyclamen
- Ficuses
- Klivia
- Oleander
- Alocasia
- Spathiphyllum
- Poisettia
- Aloe
- Ivy
- Dracaena
- Monstera and other philodendrons
It is the responsibility of the owner to consciously select plants and acquire knowledge about which of them are potentially dangerous for cats. However, if your cat ate a plant that you know or are not sure is poisonous, do not wait for disturbing symptoms to appear – go to the nearest veterinary clinic immediately!
