By Pat Lawrence
Cats
and dogs can sometimes mix more easily than cats and gardens. Many
of our ordinary blooming favorites can wreak havoc on our feline friends.
Eating foxglove or Amaryllis bulbs can make a cat go into heart failure,
shock or coma and result in death. Azaleas can cause weakness, upset
stomach and heart problems for cats.. The leaf, stem, stalk and bulbs
of caladium can cause asphyxiation, seizures, or death.
Most all of the lilies, including Oriental lilies, Easter Lilies
and Calla Lily bulbs can be especially dangerous, often fatal, for
kitty cats. Castor bean seeds can also be fatal to cats. A snack of
daffodil bulbs can cause tremors, seizures, coma or death for a cat.
Geraniums, English ivy, clematis and iris all have toxic affects
on cats. Jonquils can cause cats to be hyperactive, depressed or weak,
have an irregular heartbeat and can be fatal. Eating asparagus fern
can give a cat abdominal pain, tremors, or cause respiratory and kidney
failure.
Fruit is not good for cats. Apple seeds can cause gum inflammation,
rapid breathing, and shock. The fruit and the pit of an avocado can
cause cats to have diarrhea, vomiting or labored breathing and can
result in death. All types, forms and parts of a cherry can be a disaster
for cats, causing dilation of pupils, rapid breathing, shock or death.
Eating the leaf blade of rhubarb can lead to convulsions, coma or
death for a cat.
People may find aloe vera soothing, but it gives cats diarrhea. Morning
glory can give your kitty hallucinations. Periwinkle is also hallucinogenic
for cats. Holly and hyacinth have varied side effects, but most importantly,
can cause death in felines.
Pink, white or blue, Hydrangea can cause rapid breathing, dizziness
or seizures. Even the loveliest Bleeding heart is toxic to cats and
so is gentle baby’s breath.
A drooling cat may have eaten eggplant. If your kitty has an upset
stomach, it may be from eating boxwood, narcissus, onion, primrose,
Christmas rose or wisteria seeds. Eating larkspur may just give your
cat an upset stomach, but it can be fatal. Lily of the valley can
make your cat lethargic and cause an irregular heart rate. A cat that
staggers may have eaten English ivy, Gold Dust Dracaena or peony roots.
These are just a few of the more common plants that are poisonous
to cats, not a complete list. While some plants may only give cats
symptoms of irritation, the age, weight, type of cat and amount of
plant ingested will affect how toxic a particular plant can be. The
best way to keep your cats safe is to keep them inside. If you believe
your cat might have ingested a toxic plant, a trip to the vet is the
first order of business. First aid for cats is strictly for professionals.
