The gorgeous, vibrant colors and sweet aromas are some of the marvelous features of flowers. But do you know despite being beautiful and harmless, certain flowers are hazardous for our cats? If you’re a pet owner, you must know how important it is to keep toxic flowers to cats away from them. If you are wondering which varieties we are referring to, we will help you. To help save you the hassle of browsing through lots of options, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on what flowers are toxic to cats. Once you’re done, you’ll know which ones are perfectly safe for your furry friends.
TULIP:
Despite their lovely looks, you will be surprised to learn that tulips produce tulipalin A, which is poisonous for domestic cats. As spring arrives, you might be tempted to display gorgeous flowers to brighten your interiors or the gardens. But trust us, these are toxic flowers to cats, and the pairing is anything but ideal. Even taking a few bites of the leaves or stems can result in diarrhea or vomiting. If they ingest a lot of them, they can even experience seizures and heart rhythm abnormalities. So we would advise you to avoid tulips as much as possible.
LILIES:
Another classic spring flower is the lily. They look pretty, but sadly, they’re flowers cats are allergic to. When you have felines in the house, you should avoid keeping lilies even in the bouquets, as they can cause irreversible damage. If cats ingest these flowers or even sniff them, it can result in poisoning. You will be surprised to learn that, in certain cases, it can even fail kidneys and lead to cardiac issues along with diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures.
DAISIES
Daisies aren’t the most toxic flowers, but that doesn’t mean they are the safest. If your cat ingests one or two flowers, they may experience diarrhea and vomiting. Though the effects are likely to clear up in a matter of a few days, you will still avoid keeping them away from cats to avoid severe effects.
HYDRANGEA:
These toxic plants to indoor cats come in many varieties, and ingesting any part of it can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Though the poisoning is rare, still avoid keeping hydrangeas plants close to them.
CYCLAMEN:
You may receive these on Christmas or Valentine’s, but they also grow as ground cover outdoors in warm climates. Cyclamen contains toxic terpenoids, especially in the roots. Therefore, as toxic flowers to cats, they can cause salivation, diarrhea, heart irregularities, and even death in some cases.
CHRYSANTHEMUM:
It’s a seasonal favorite containing a lot of toxins, including pyrethrins. You won’t be aware, but it can result in GI upsetness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If large quantities are ingested, cats may develop a loss of coordination and even depression.
DAFFODIL:
The spring flowering bulb is also known as narcissus. It is the same family as amaryllis and can cause a long list of symptoms. These include low blood pressure, convulsions, vomiting, and even cardiac-related issues. Although their yellow color may be as vibrant and attractive as ever, remember these are toxic flowers to cats.
SWEET PEA:
Sweet Pea is another flower cats are allergic to, and they can even result in death! Its flower contains aminopropionitrile, which can result in weakness, seizures, death, and lethargy.
HYACINTH:
The beautiful spring bloomers are part of the lily family. However, they contain alkaloids that can cause vomiting, tremors, and bloody diarrhea in cats. You should keep your furry friends away from these to prevent all kinds of health-related issues for your pet.
ORCHIDS:
Orchids are part of the Orchidaceae family, a group of fragrant flowering plants. They are mostly available in shades of pink and in other colors, such as yellow, green, and red. Though orchids are not dangerous in the worst cases, your cat may experience mild vomiting and diarrhea symptoms when ingested.
MUMS:
Mums are some of the most widely grown flowers during autumn. They are present in deep orange, burgundy, yellow, and purple. Although their beautiful color may lure you to them, sadly they’re toxic flowers to cats. Mums contain several toxic compounds that lead to vomiting, hypersalivation, diarrhea, incoordination, and even skin inflammation in some cases.
AMARYLLIS:
These aren’t just popular plants but poisonous ones, too. Its flowers, stalk, and bulb contain phenanthridine alkaloids that are extremely toxic to cats. Eating these flowers can cause changes in blood pressure, tremors, seizures, and vomiting.
OLEANDER:
All parts of the oleander can be highly toxic as they contain cardiac glycosides. Due to these compounds, serious effects, including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia, and even death, can be pretty common, so keep them as far away from your cat as possible.
How do you keep your cat away from toxic flowers?
The best way to keep your cats away from toxic flowers or plants is to avoid bringing cats near them. So, a reliable way is to store them in a separate room or an area that is out of their reach. Alternatively, you can opt for deterrents, such as the double-sided tapes of the citrus spray, as cats instinctively avoid them.
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Common Symptoms
Depending on the type of flower your cat has ingested, it may experience symptoms from mild to fatal. Some of the common symptoms include- mouth irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive salivation. As signs of flower poisoning are not immediate, be sure to keep note of the symptoms as and when they are visible.
Also, if you suspect your pet has ingested toxic flowers to cats, it is best to contact your vet as soon as possible for immediate action. We hope our article will be of help and you will be able to make better and more informed decisions the next time you are choosing flowers for your interiors.
Are you looking for more inspirational articles on cats and their overall well-being? Read through our informative blog section for more inspiration.
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