Cats are naturally curious, but their curiosity can put them in danger, such as when they become tempted to taste plants or other household items that may be poisonous to them. Here are some recommendations to keep your kitties safe and prevent your greenery from getting chewed!
To Prevent Plant Eating
- Remove plants from areas the cat has access to.
- Provide your cat with a kitty herb garden to chew on—there are a number available in pet stores. Try oat grass, catnip, or alfalfa. Wheat grass is also safe for cats.
- Praise your kitty or give her treats when she chews on her kitty grass.
- Teach your cat not to chew on household plants by using an aversive spray. We recommend Bitter Apple, as it is safe for plants and animals (although it does not taste good to animals). Spray the product on all of the plant leaves. This way, if the cat tries to chew on the plant, it will have an unpleasant taste that it will associate with plant-eating. Hot chili sauce can be brushed on plant leaves for a similar effect.
Other Household Hazards
- Secure all cupboards, medicine chests, and closets to keep them off limits to kitties. Use child-proof latches when possible.
- Use natural, non-toxic cleaners when possible. Since cats are fastidious groomers, anything that makes contact with their skin may be ingested while they clean themselves.
- Cationic and anionic detergents (such as ammonia-based cleaners) and phenol disinfectants (such as PineSol) are especially dangerous to cats.
- Use safety or snap traps for pests instead of insecticides and rodenticides. Remember that your cat may ingest a poisoned mouse or bug and can then be poisoned himself.
- Never give your pet any medications that have not been prescribed by your veterinarian.
- Keep your cat indoors to reduce exposure to herbicides, anti-freeze, gasoline and other poisonous substances that they may ingest, either intentionally or by grooming themselves.
- Remember that some herbs and essential oils are poisonous to animals if ingested or applied topically. Always consult with your vet.
- Do not feed table scraps to your cat. Many human foods, such as chocolate and onions can be fatal to cats. Other foods can cause stomach distress.
Plants and poisons produce a variety of symptoms, but the following are cause for concern: Listlessness, muscle weakness, vomiting (especially if the vomit contains leaves or vegetable matter), abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, tremors, diarrhea, or convulsion.
Steps to Follow if You Suspect Your Pet Has Been Poisoned
- Quickly determine the amount and type of plant or poison the animal has eaten.
- Call your veterinarian immediately. If he or she is not available, contact the closest emergency veterinary clinic.
- Carefully follow your veterinarian’s instructions for immediate care.
- Immediately take your pet, samples of any vomit or stool passed, and a large sample of the suspected plant to your veterinarian.
This list has been gathered from a variety of sources, but is far from complete. If your pet shows symptoms of poisoning, treat it as an emergency and get veterinary attention immediately.
Poisonous Plants
Amaryllis
Angels Trumpet
Azalea
Baneberry
Bittersweet
Black Locust
Blue Cohosh
Boxwood
Buttercup
Caladium
Carnation
Carolina Jasmine
Castor Bean
Chinaberry Tree
Chokecherry Chrysanthemum
Cotoneaster
Creeping Charlie
Crocus
Daffodil
Deadly Nightshade
Delphinium
Dieffenbachia
Dumb Cane
Elderberry
Euonymus
Foxglove
Golden Chain
Hemlock
Holly
Horse Chestnut
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Iris
Ivy
Jequirity Bean
Jerusalem Cherry
Jimson Weed
Jonquil
Lantana
Larkspur
Laurel (English)
Ligustrum (privet)
Lilly of the Valley
Marigold
Marijuana
Mistletoe
Monkshood
Morning Glory
Mountain Laurel
Narcissus
Oleander
Periwinkle
Philodendron
Poinsettia
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Poison Sumac
Pokeberry
Red Sage
Rhododendron
Rhubarb
Rosary Bean
Squill
String of Beads
Sweet Pea
Tallow Tree
Toadstools
Tobacco
Tomato Leaves
Toyon Leaves
Umbrella Plant
Vinca
Walnut (green)
Wisteria
Witch Hazel
Woodrose
Yaupon Tree
Yew
Other Poisons
Animals
Bees
Bufo Toads
Certain lizards and snakes
Fire Ants
Rattlesnakes
Spiders
Wasps
Household Substances
Ammonia products
Animal and plant poisons
Antifreeze
Antiperspirant
Bar soap
Bath oils
Brake fluid
Carburetor cleaner
Caulking compounds
Coal and wood tar derivatives
Detergents
Deodorant
Engine cleaner/ frost remover
Eye makeup
Fabric softener
Gasoline
Hair products
Lacquer thinners
Laxatives
Liniments
Lubricants
Moth balls
Nail cosmetics
Oil paints
Ointments
Paint and varnish
Perfumes
Phenol disinfectants
Photographic chemicals
Pine oil disinfectants
Radiator cleaners
Shaving lotions
Sun tan lotions
Tire repair products
Turpentine
Windshield washer fluid
Wood preservatives
Medicines
Acetaminophen
Athlete’s foot remedies
Aspirin
Corn removers
Citrus oil
Diet pills
Iodoform
Medicated products for dogs
Pennyroyal
Sleeping pills