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