Friday, September 2, 2011

Harmful Plants to Kittens

With spring in bloom, it is important for cat owners to be familiar with potentially dangerous plants and keep them out of kitty’s reach. Some common houseplants that can pose a risk to your cat’s wellbeing include:



Rhododendrons
Plants in the rhododendron species include azaleas and various kinds of rhododendrons. If ingested, these can cause heart problems for your cat.
Lilies
Lilies are one of the most toxic plants for cats. Easter lilies, rubrum lilies, tiger lilies, stargazer lilies, calla lilies and day lilies can cause kidney failure and be fatal for felines.
Plants that contain cardiac glycoside
Plants such as oleander, foxglove and lily-of-the-valley all contain a toxic ingredient called cardiac glycosides, which can cause serious gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system issues.
Miscellaneous toxic plants
Other common household plants that are toxic to cats include: aloe, certain kinds of ivy, daffodil, hyacinth, hydrangea and tulip.
Remember that it is not necessary for your cat to consume a large quantity of a questionable plant to become ill. A small bite or nibble is often substantial enough to cause extreme health issues. It is also important to note that with most of these plants, they are poisonous in their entirety, so even if you cat only chews a leaf, it could be a hazard to his health.
If you believe your cat may have eaten part of one of these plants, seek the advice of your veterinarian as soon as possible. Also, if possible, bring a sample of the questionable plant or flower with you for identification purposes.
To keep that from happening, I’ve chosen a few highlights from the poisonous plant list created by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. I highly encourage you to look at the entire list, print it out, and put it in a place that is easily visible to you and the rest of your family.


Alfalfa
Almond (pits of)
Aloe Vera
Amaryllis
Apple seeds
Apple Leaf
Crouton
Apricot (pits of)
Arrowgrass
Asparagus
Fern
Autumn Crocus
Avocado (fruit and pit)
Azalea
Baby’s Breath
Baneberry
Bayonet
Beargrass
Belladonna
Bittersweet
Black Eyed Susan
Black Locust
Bleeding Heart
Bloodroot
Bluebonnet
Braching
Ivy
Buddist
Pine
Burning Bush
Buttercup
Cactus
Candelabra
Caladium
Calla
Lily
Castor
Bean
Charming
Cherry (pits, seeds and wilting leaves)
Laurel
Chinaberry
Chinese Evergreen
Christmas Rose
Cornflower
Cornstalk Plant
Crown Of Thorns
Cutleaf
Daffodil
Daphne
Datura Death Camas
Devil’s Ivy
Dragon Tree
Dumb Cane
Easter lily
Eggplant
Elderberry
Elephant Ear
Emerald Feather
English Ivy
Evergreen Ferns
Four O’ Clock Foxglove
Fruit Salad Plant
Geranium
German Lily
Giant Dumb Cane
Glacier Ivy Golden
Golden Glow
Golden Pothooks
Heartland Hemlock
Poison Hemlock
Water Henbane
ricane Plant
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Indian Rubber Plant
Indian Tobacco
Iris
Iris Ivy
Jack In the Pulpit
Japanese Show Lily
Java Beans
Jerusalem cherry
Jonquil
Jungle Trumpets
Madagascar Dragon Tree
Marble Queen
Marigold
Marijuana
Mescal Bear
Mexican Breadfruit
Mistletoe
Mock Orange
Moonseed
Morning Glory
Mountain Laurel
Mushrooms
Narcissus
Needlepoint Ivy
Nephytis
Nightshade
Oleander
Onion
Oriental Lily
Peace Lily
Peach(pits and wilting leaves)
Pencil Cactus
Philodendron
Pimpernel
Plumosa Fern
Poinsettia
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Pokeweed
Poppy
Potato
Pothos
Precatory Bean
Primrose
Privet, Common
Tansy Mustard
Taro Vine
Tiger Lily
Tobacco
Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves)
Tree Philodendron
Tropic Snow
Tulip
Tung Tree
Virginia Creeper
Weeping Fig
Wild Call
Wisteria
Yew
Japanese Yew
English Yew
Western Yew
American Yew