| Cats are curious by nature. Because of | | | | daffodils, foxglove, castor bean, almond |
| their curious nature, it is easy for | | | | plants, wild cherry, English holly, |
| cats to ingest poisons that can cause | | | | spinach, rhubarb, Jasmine, and pigweed. |
| them to become very ill. Without proper | | | | Other plants that can pose your cat to |
| treatment, a cat could die from | | | | experience hallucinations are marijuana, |
| poisoning. | | | | nutmeg, peyote, and morning glories. |
| Cat owners should be conscious of the | | | | Chemicals and cleaners found around the |
| types of materials around the home that | | | | house are also cause for concern. Cats |
| can poison a cat. Household chemicals, | | | | can ingest a toxic chemical and become |
| plants, trees and shrubs can all cause a | | | | very ill quickly. A common poison for |
| cat to become ill. When you think your | | | | cats is antifreeze. They like the taste |
| cat has ingested a poisonous material, | | | | and will lick it off of the garage floor |
| it is helpful to your vet if you can | | | | from a puddle. Antifreeze can cause |
| inform what has made the cat sick. If | | | | seizures and if enough is ingested, can |
| your cat goes outdoors, sometimes it is | | | | kill a cat. Other common poisons found |
| impossible to know what the cat has | | | | around the house are rat poisons, and |
| taken in. Here are some typical plants | | | | insect sprays and treatments. If you |
| and household chemicals that can make | | | | treat your home with insecticides it is |
| your cat ill. | | | | very important to keep your cat away |
| There are certain plants, trees and | | | | from the treated area for several hours. |
| shrubs that can cause your cat to vomit, | | | | In addition, if you spray the inside of |
| become dehydrated and have diarrhea. | | | | your home, thoroughly wash the cat's |
| Sometimes when a cat eats a toxic plant, | | | | food and water bowls to clean off any |
| they can foam at the mouth or have some | | | | residue from the insecticide. Other |
| drooling followed by a craving to drink | | | | common household items that can make a |
| lots of water. Their mouth can become | | | | cat ill include bleach, alcohol, |
| red and irritated. In rare cases, a cat | | | | gasoline, turpentine, lead, acid, |
| can fall into a coma and die. | | | | garbage waste and paint. Toads and |
| Plants around your house can be a danger | | | | salamanders can also cause cats to |
| to your cat. Sometimes a cat does not | | | | become very ill. If your cat eats a toad |
| even have to ingest the plant, but can | | | | or salamander, it will be evident by |
| have exposure on their skin, causing | | | | excessive foaming at the mouth and |
| irritations. Fig plants, chrysanthemums, | | | | drooling. Also, it is important to |
| poinsettias can all create reactions in | | | | remember that if your cat eats a bird, |
| cats. Most of the time these three kinds | | | | insect or rat that has been infected by |
| of plants will only cause skin | | | | a poison, it is likely that your cat |
| irritation. More extreme reactions such | | | | will become ill, as well. |
| as staggering, swelling of the mouth and | | | | If you think your cat has been poisoned, |
| general weakness are caused by household | | | | the best thing you can do is contact the |
| plants such as Boston ivy, arrowhead | | | | National Animal Poison Control Center |
| vine, caladiums, elephant's ear, heart | | | | immediately. There are many different |
| leaf, peace lily and dumb cane plants. | | | | treatments for poisons and they can help |
| If your cat has consumed a great amount | | | | guide you in what direction you should |
| of amaryllis, ivy, azalea, spider mum | | | | take. A vet will most likely attempt to |
| and creeping Charlie plants or flowers, | | | | make the cat vomit. This will remove the |
| you can expect a more serious reaction. | | | | poisonous toxins from your cat's body. |
| These plants, among others, can lead to | | | | Sometimes a toxin is on the fur, such as |
| vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors and | | | | turpentine or gasoline. In this case, |
| heart and respiratory ailments. It will | | | | the cat should be washed; mineral and |
| be necessary to consult your vet if you | | | | vegetable oil are both helpful for |
| cat has ingested any toxic plants. | | | | removing such toxins. If your cat starts |
| Outdoor plants can also be many of the | | | | to convulse, has difficulty breathing, |
| same risks as some of the indoor plants. | | | | or seems to be unconscious, it is likely |
| Symptoms can include, but are not | | | | that the toxin is affecting his nervous |
| limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, | | | | system. If you observe these systems, |
| dehydration, pain, and weakness, | | | | your cat must be taken to medical care |
| breathing difficulties and seizures and | | | | immediately as they are in serious |
| convulsions. Some of these plants and | | | | danger. |
| shrubs include larkspur, skunkweed, | | | | |