What Other Plants Are Toxic For Cats
Aloe vera isnt the only potentially deadly houseplant in our homes. Many of the most common houseplants can cause toxicity in felines! Before you know it, youre questioning the safety of all of the plants in your home. Are spider plants toxic to cats? What about palms and ferns?
As the list of plants that are toxic to cats is so long, I cant possibly go through all of the ones that are dangerous to pets. So, to be on the safe side, it is best to search the risks of each plant before you buy it to be certain it wont cause your cat any harm. Yet to help you out, some of the most common houseplants that should be avoided if you have pet cats include:
Are Daffodils Poisonous To Cats
While daffodils are a beautiful sign of spring, they are unfortunately dangerous for our feline friends. Daffodil bulbs contain crystals that are extremely toxic to cats if eaten.
The heads and leaves can also make your cat unwell if consumed. Daffodils contain a poisonous substance called lycorine. If digested, this can cause stomach upset, vomiting or wider serious illness.
If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a daffodil, please seek advice from your vet immediately.
The Toxic Element Of Aloe Vera Plants
When you break an aloe leaf open, you will notice two things. First, there is a clear gel running through the middle of the leaf. Second, at the broken edges of the leaf surface, a white or yellow latex-like substance exudes from the leafs skin. Latex is a harmful element contained in this plant.
It contains a toxin called aloin thats been used for centuries as a laxative in humans. In large doses, all laxatives can be harmful to humans. The plant is not toxic to humans unless it is ingested in large quantities, and the same applies to cats. However, cats are much smaller than humans, so they need to consume less of the plant to experience its harmful effects.
The gel and the latex contain different chemical components which are commonly used for distinct medical purposes. The whole leaf extract, consisting of the gel, the latex, and other plant parts, contains more than two hundred chemical components.
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Is A Aloe Plant Poisonous To Cats
Although considered a medicinal plant for humans, aloe veras level of toxicity is mild to moderate for cats and dogs. Vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, depression, anorexia, tremors, change in urine colour. Chinese evergreens level of toxicity is mild to moderate, though symptoms can include liver and kidney damage.
Diagnosis Of True Aloe Poisoning In Cats
Once you realize your cat is sick from true aloe poisoning, its extremely important for you to get him to the vet just as soon as you can. Once your cat is on the exam table, your vet will carry out a full physical, which will include taking a full medical history.
If you know your cat ate from an aloe plant in your home, cut a sample for your vet and put it into a plastic bag. Your vet will want to test the aloe to make sure this is what is making your cat so sick.
Your vets diagnostic process will include taking a urine sample and blood for blood work. She may also have your cat X-rayed to make sure he isnt suffering from organ damage or any other illness. If you have given your cat aloe for medicinal purposes, tell your vet, especially if you realize that the aloe hasnt had the latex removed.
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Clinical Signs Of Adam
While aloe vera is mostly beneficial to people, it is poisonous for cats because it contains anthracene, glycosides, and anthraquinones which are known to be saponins. These saponins increase the amounts of mucus and water in a cats colon which will cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting.
What Happens If My Cat Ate Aloe Vera
Unfortunately, if your cat has eaten aloe vera, you must familiarize yourself with all the signs and symptoms of aloe vera poisoning. This way, you will be able to provide immediate care to your cat. Do not delay calling your veterinarian after such incidents, as this is a life-threatening matter.
Some aloe vera poisoning symptoms include:
- Loss in appetite
- Muscle cramps in the abdomen
- Depression and sluggishness
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Red urine
Watch out for these symptoms in your cat if you notice any cat bite marks on your aloe vera so that you can take relevant action accordingly. Even if you are just suspicious, its better to seek medical help immediately.
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What Are The Benefits Of Aloe
Scientists have not yet been able to isolate the component in aloe vera responsible for its healing, moisturizing and cell regenerating powers. However, it has been discovered that the fleshy pulp inside the leaves contains essential nutrients that can alleviate many chronic conditions.
The most important vitamins in aloe are the antioxidant vitamins c and E, and beta carotene. aloe is also one of the few plant sources of vitamin B12.
The body requires 22 amino acids aloe vera gel provides 20. More importantly, it provides essential amino acids that cannot be manufactured by the body and have to be consumed as food. aloe vera helps enhance nutrient absorption and maintain a healthy digestive system.
Minerals in aloe include magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, chromium, calcium, sodium, potassium and iron.
The sugars in aloe vera include the important long chain polysaccharides, which boost the immune system.
The enzymes lipase and protease break down food and aid digestion carboxypeptidase is involved in the inflammatory process.
Three main types of plant sterols act as powerful anti inflammatory agents.
Saponins exert a powerful antimicrobial effect against bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeasts such as candida or thrush.
Aloe contains anthraquinones, the most important being aloin and emodin. They are strong painkillers, and acknowledged to possess anti-bacterial and viruscidal activity. in their pure form, they are very powerful laxatives.
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Is Aloe Vera Gel Poisonous To Cats
According to the ASPCA, aloe gel will not harm your cat. First, aloe is safe to apply to your cats skin. Second, aloe gel is made without the plant substance that is toxic to ingest. Thus, the gel is both safe to apply and safe to consume. Since cats are fastidious cleaners, they will almost always lick anything that is applied to their skin eventually.
- Aloe vera gel is classified as safe for cats by the ASPCA
- It is safe to apply aloe gel to your cats scratches and skin irritation.
- In rare cases, your cat may have a mild allergic reaction to aloe vera gel.
However, rarely some cats will have an allergic reaction to aloe gel. In such a case it will develop a skin condition called allergic dermatitis, which is uncomfortable but not dangerous or life-threatening. It is also unlikely to be a chronic condition, just a temporary one. Consult your vet for skin treatments if such a condition develops.
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Common Poisoning Symptoms In Pets
The symptoms a cat or dog experience after eating toxic plants or foods depends on the toxin as well as the pet you have, their age, underlying medical conditions and how much they have consumed.
“The classic symptoms include seizing or fitting, agitation or tremoring , diarrhoea or vomiting, and drooling ,” Dr Neck says.
How To Keep Cats Away From Aloe Vera Plants
If your cat loves to nib, make sure it does not nib of aloe vera plants. You should invest in a hanging planter. Usually, boredom chewing can be avoided if cats are presented with enough distractions. Here are some tips on how to keep your cat away from the aloe vera plant:
- It would be best if you kept aloe vera plants in a room where cats are not allowed to enter.
- Although aloe vera is not a hanging plant, it will be out of reach of your cat if it is not on the ground.
- Invest in some quality cat repellent sprays. You can also make one at home. Just add some vinegar to the water and spray it around your plants. This will keep the cats away.
- You can also add some physical blockades. This must be something that makes their feet uncomfortable but does not hurt their tiny paws.
- Lastly, you can also go with cat-friendly plants such as spider plants. Or you can get cacti, as cats avoid these plants because they have spikes.
As a responsible cat owner, you must take every possible measure to create a safe environment for your cat.
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How Is Aloe Poisoning Treated
If you get your cat to the vet soon enough, your doctor may just want to give them activated charcoal to soak up the toxins. They may also try to induce vomiting to get the aloe out of your cats system before it can do any damage.
If your cat has been showing adverse effects from eating the aloe, they may need intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration or oxygen therapy to boost the health of their organs.
Assuming that you get your cat to the vet quickly enough, they should recover fully without any lingering effects. However, if your cat eats too much or you take too long to get them medical treatment, they could suffer organ damage that could take weeks to recover from, if recovery happens at all.
Curiosities: Why Do Cats Seem Compelled To Eat Some Plants Like My Poor Aloe And Ignore Others
Cats may devour some plants but ignore others as a simple matter of taste, says Sandra Sawchuk, a clinical instructor at the School of Veterinary Medicine. Its each to his own. I like romaine lettuce over iceberg cats can have their own desires. Although cats are carnivores, they may have grown accustomed to eating plant material found in their preys intestines, Sawchuk notes.
Some plants, notably catnip, make cats feel good, Sawchuk says. If I eat this, I am going to get spacy, and I like that feeling. Some cats also like spider plants, which contain compounds related to opium. Or cats learn that certain plants will act as a purgative, causing them to vomit if they have an upset stomach, Sawchuk says.
But plants can also be poisonous. Asiatic lilies, including Easter lilies, are a key cause of concern. Ingesting even a tiny amount can put a cat into kidney failure, Sawchuk says.
Owners should separate cats from toxic plants, but also deal with the many cats that like plants. Owners may want to offer their cats edible sprouts, chopped lettuce, or the kitty grass sold in pet stores. Sawchuk recommends that cat owners check reputable web sites for lists of toxic and nontoxic plants, and make sure to place any toxic plants well beyond reach.
Reader beware: The ASPCA says aloe vera causes vomiting, depression, diarrhea and other symptoms among cats.
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The Truth About Aloe Plants And Cats
Aloe vera plants come in various varieties. The most poisonous is the True Aloe plant, which belongs to the Aloaceae family. It is also known as Barbados aloe, medicine plant, Octopus plant, or torch plant because of its unique formation.
Aloe can be used as a medicinal plant for humans. But they contain a sap called saponin that can cause severe allergic reactions to the digestive system of pets. The symptoms can range from stomach upset, vomiting, to severe diarrhea. The poisoning symptom can be quite alarming so you need to bring your pet to the vet immediately. Unless your cat has only eaten a few amounts, you wont have a lot of problems.
Have This Information Ready When You Call The Vet:
- The breed, age, sex and weight of your pet
- The plant your pet has been exposed to
- Specific information concerning the poisoning
- The problems/symptoms your pet is experiencing
- Note: Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by a vet.
“Calling the vet clinic is the first port of call,” he says. “This allows the clinic to get ready and means you’re minutes ahead when you arrive with your pet. It’s much better for us to know what’s coming than for it to burst in the front door.”
When it comes to handling poisoning in animals, vets generally try to sustain life while the dog or cat deals with the toxin itself.
“There’s rarely such a thing as an antidote they live in the movies,” Dr Neck says. “Instead we focus on supportive therapy.”
This includes things like putting the animal on intravenous fluid to combat shock, providing respiratory support on a ventilator if they’ve stopped breathing, and controlling seizures by anaesthetising the animal.
If it’s safe to do so, vets may induce vomiting to get out the toxins. If not, they can anaesthetise the animal and wash out their stomach .
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Why Is Aloe Vera Toxic To Cats
As well as wondering, is aloe vera plants toxic to cats? you might be wondering exactly why aloe vera is dangerous for your feline friend.
While aloe vera has superb medicinal properties for humans, the saponins it contains are toxic for cats.
When ingested, these compounds cause your cats digestive system to go into overdrive and ramp up the production of mucus and water. This buildup can cause your poor pet to experience many unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
When ingested in small amounts, aloe vera will usually cause your cat discomfort. However, if your cat eats large quantities of aloe vera, it may suffer from severe dehydration caused by constant sickness, diarrhea, or even organ damage. Severe dehydration combined with organ damage can be fatal.
Will Aloe Vera Toxicity Kill My Cat
The amount of risk of causality is associated with the amount of Aloin and latex consumed by your cat.
The relief is that its toxicity is mild to moderate, and no severe issues arise when consumed in small quantities, but again the severity depends on the consumption amounts.
Talking about a serious issue, well dont get alarmed, your cat wont die as it consumes the plant. But in case you doubt higher consumption, you must immediately seek medical help from a veterinarian.
Hence, we can conclude that Aloe poisoning does not kill your cat instantly but might make your cat seriously ill, and if not treated on time, it might lead to causality.
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Are Aloe Plants Poisonous To Cats Conclusion
Aloes are toxic to cats, so you should think twice before keeping them as houseplants unless you are sure you can keep your cat away. When grown outdoors, aloes are less likely to attract your cats attention, especially if the base of the plants is covered with rocks. If your cat is sick and you suspect it has nibbled on an aloe, take it to the vet immediately. Professionals will know what to do and how to assess your pet for potential dangers.
As you can see, this is an indoor plant that, although it has medicinal purposes for humans, can be dangerous to your cat. The only way to be 100% certain your cat wont get sick is to prevent him from having any access to it. If your cat isnt a climber, this can be done by putting the plants up high. Other people put them inside cages or behind wire barriers that the cats cannot access. There are many fun, creative ways you can create boundaries to protect your cats.
It has the added bonus of protecting your plants since cats chewing on them can also damage or even kill them. Do you have any advice youd want to add for people who own cats and aloe plants?
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Provide Lots Of Cat Toys
Cats usually nibble on our houseplants because they are curious creatures. However, if there was something more exciting, entertaining, and intriguing to grasp your cats attention instead, they may not show as much interest in your aloe vera plant.
The best way to keep your cat entertained and side-tracked from nibbling your plants is by providing lots of toys for them to play with. There are a whole host of options currently available, and its best to provide as many different options as possible. Choose toys with different colors and textures, noises, motions, and more! The more variety your cat has, the more theyll keep them entertained.
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How To Prevent Your Cat From Chewing On Your Aloe Vera Plant
As an animal lover, you may be tempted to ditch your aloe vera plant completely for other house plants. That is certainly an option but its not your only one. Here are the best ways to keep your cat safe without getting rid of your aloe vera plant:
- Weather permitting, consider keeping your plant outdoors and your cat indoors.
- Keep your aloe plant out of reach on a high shelf or refrigerator.
- Use this hanging planter to keep your plant safely away from your cat.
- Keep the plant behind a closed door .
- Spray vinegar around your aloe plant. Vinegar smells unpleasant to cats and will keep them away. Be sure not to spray your plant with vinegar directly, as that can kill the plant.
If you still feel unsafe keeping an aloe plant, consider alternatives, such as non-toxic plants or artificial plants. Plenty of common houseplants are both pet-friendly and similar in appearance to aloe. Haworthia succulents resemble the aloe vera plants blade-shaped foliage but are one of several varieties of succulents that are pet-safe.