 |
Plants Poisonous to Cats"Cats like to chew green things. Be sure to provide something safe for your cat to chew on."If you suspect that your cat has ingested any plants poisonous to cats or other toxic substance, you must act immediately. Call your veterinarian or local emergency animal clinic. It's best to take a sample of the plant or other poison along with you to the veterinarian so they will know what your cat has ingested. If you cannot get a hold of your veterinarian or other emergency pet service, in North America, you can call the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4ANIHELP (1-888-426-4435). The Animal Poison Control Center is a non-profit organization without funding, so they will charge you $55 (USD) on a major credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover) to help them run this critical 24-hour service. Protect Your Cat From Poisonous Plants Most cats love to chew on greenery, and often the only greenery to be found indoors is your houseplants. Unfortunately, many common houseplants are plants poisonous to cats. Some plants poisonous to cats are even fatal. If you have houseplants in your home, be sure to have only safe, non-poisonous plants, or be sure to keep the poisonous plants entirely out of your cat’s reach. However, the safest bet for you and your cat is to not keep plants poisonous to cats indoors where your cat may eat them. Insecticides on Houseplants Even “safe, non-poisonous” plants can be poisonous to your cat. Most plants found at nurseries, supermarkets or other stores are sprayed with insecticides. Some insecticide ingredients can make safe plants become plants poisonous to cats. These can cause serious neurological damage and even death to your cat. Even a small nibble on a plant sprayed with insecticides can make your cat violently ill. Protect your cat by knowing the origin of the “safe” plants you bring into your home. Don’t hesitate to ask the nursery what insecticides they use on their plants, and then research the insecticide used to make sure it’s not toxic to your cat. Stopping Your Cat from Chewing on Plants So say you’ve found some non-poisonous, insecticide-free houseplants. You probably still don’t want your cat to chew on these, even if she finds them particularly tasty. One solution to prevent your cat from chewing your houseplants is to regularly spray diluted lemon juice on the leaves. Most cats hate this taste and will leave your leaves alone. If your cat is digging into the soil around your plants, you can place gravel or wire mesh over the soil. Digging into the soil may also be a sign that the cat litter box needs better care. Do not make the mistake of spraying plants poisonous to cats with lemon juice and thinking they won’t eat the plant. You should only use the diluted lemon juice on plants you have determined are safe to your cat. Keep your cat safe by keeping poisonous plants out of your home. Giving Your Cat a Plant to Chew Giving your cat her own “plant” to chew is another solution and can actually help your cat’s digestion and help her get rid of unwanted matter, such as hairballs. Many pet supply stores and even grocery stores now sell "cat grass." Catnip, sage, thyme and parsley are also safe for your cat to chew in moderate amounts. Wheat (not “wheat grass”) and oat-grass sprouts are also safe and tasty for your cat. Ordinary lawn grass should be avoided, as it has razor-sharp spines that can cut your cat’s mouth and harm her digestive tract. Your cat may vomit a greenish liquid with some plant fragments after eating a safe plant. Don’t worry. This is normal, as long it isn’t excessive or constant. Growing a “Plant” for Your Cat to Chew You can even grow plants specifically for your cat’s enjoyment. If you choose to grow your own “cat grass,” catnip, sage, thyme, parsley or other safe “plants,” be sure to use sterilized potting soil and untreated seed. Do not use soil from your outdoor garden. If you grow catnip, it’s probably best to grow this in a room inaccessible to your cat. You can give your cat a generous handful of fresh or dried leaves every week or two. Catnip has a powerful (yet, safe) chemical that most cats love. About two-thirds of all cats are mad about catnip. It’s a genetic preference. After a deep whiff, your cat will dance, leap, prance, tumble and purr in ecstasy. Don’t worry. It’s not addictive! Catnip is completely safe. But if you give catnip to your cat too often, it may lose its appeal over time. Related Topics: * Catnip Effects on your cat and how it works * Common cat health problems Other cat health issues to be aware of for more feline or poisonous plants information. From plants poisonous to cats to My Healthy Cat home
|
