Could an innocent plant cause serious harm to your pet?
Those of us lucky enough to live with cats can appreciate their “curious nature” but we all know the old saying of what curiosity can do to cats. When it comes to plants or flower arrangements in the household, curiosity can be one of the reasons cats are attracted to them and potential danger. Who can resist a bunch of dangly leaves and new smells when a bunch of beautiful flowers is placed on display in a vase of water? Certainly not my kitty! It would be like a bear to honey. Unfortunately, some of these plants have potential for serious injury when ingested and even death, while others may cause just mild gastrointestinal upset.
Some plants, like certain types of lilies, are especially deadly and even a tiny amount of any part of the plant ingested can cause lethal kidney failure. It has been reported that cats may become deathly ill even if they groom off pollen that has stuck onto their fur. The most dangerous are the true lilies such as the plant species Lilium (ie. Easter lily) and Hemerocallis (ie. Daylily). If the equivalent of less than one leaf is eaten they may become very ill. Cats may vomit shortly after and appear to be normal but if they’re not treated right away they may go into kidney failure in as little as 12 hours. It is so very sad when this preventable accidental ingestion occurs and is not noticed until it’s too late. The best advice is to ensure that they have no access to these plants and better yet not allow them in the house at all.
Aside from the deadly lilies, there are flowers and plants which when ingested may cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite due to irritation of the GI system without causing damage to internal organs (ie. kidney or liver). The severity of illness may depend on which part of the plant is ingested or how much of it. For example, the tulip bulb is very toxic with potential for severe illness, but its leaves and petals may just cause mild GI upset (unless a large amount is consumed). The shamrock plant sold commonly around St. Patrick’s day contains toxic oxalates that can cause kidney damage but it takes a large amount ingested in order to cause these serious effects. Dieffenbachia, a common house plant, rarely causes anything more than GI symptoms when nibbled on.
There are also differences between how plants can affect different species. Humans can eat onions without concern but in dogs and cats this may cause red blood cell destruction resulting in a toxic anemia. It may be dangerous and erroneous to assume since it is safe for us that it will be safe for our pets to consume.
There are, however, a whole array of house plants that are safe if kitty decides to investigate. It is important to do your homework on the plants coming into your house “before” your cats get into them. Keep them safely out of reach if you’re not sure. It is sometimes difficult to accept how something so pretty and innocent as a flower arrangement or houseplant can be so deadly.
There are many sites on the internet that list poisonous plants and their effects. We have listed a few trusted sites here:
aspca.org and humanesociety.org
Written by Bedford South Veterinary Hospital
