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You are here: Home / Archives for poisonous plants for cats

Top Cat Poisons: Household Products, Medicines, and Plants

June 7, 2012 By Joi

Hannah Showing off Her Belly

Hannah, Showing Off!

I think that most of us cat lovers don’t really realize how often cats are harmed (and often killed) by poisons they come in contact with in their home or yard.  I know that when I read that, in 2011 alone, the ASPCA  fielded 166,000 calls about cases of pet poisoning, I was alarmed. When you consider that at least that many probably went unreported, it’s staggering.

While we think we know what things are harmful to our precious cats and what things could even poison them, it’s always a great idea to refresh ourselves. It’s also a smart idea to let anyone and everyone who comes into contact with the feline members of the family know that some things are completely off limits.

WebMD recently ran a great article detailing the top cat poisons.   A few are listed below – but I hope you’ll click through and read the entire list. Please pass the link around to everyone you know.  By doing so, you could be saving a cat from a world of pain, sickness and suffering.  What’s more, you could save her life.

The top five sources of cat poisoning in 2011 were:

1. Medications for people. Pets have a much greater sensitivity to many of the common over-the-counter and prescription medications that may be in your home.

Some of the medications that often poison cats include:

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. The most common cause of pet poisoning, these painkillers can cause ulcers in the stomach and intestines, and kidney damage.
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is particularly toxic to cats, resulting in red blood cell damage. Just two extra-strength tablets may prove fatal to felines.
  • Antidepressants may cause vomiting and, in more serious instances, serotonin syndrome – a dangerous condition that raises temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, and may cause seizures.
  • Methylphenidate, an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug, is a stimulant for pets, raising heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. 

2. House plants. Cats are notorious for noshing on houseplants, and the habit isn’t just bad for your potted treasures. Many common, beautiful houseplants contain cat poisons that can cause serious harm, and even death. Some of the plants toxic to cats include:

  • Lilies. Ingesting even small amounts of Easter lilies and related plants can cause severe kidney failure in cats.
  • Azaleas and rhododendrons. These pretty flowering plants contain toxins that may result in vomiting, diarrhea, coma, and sometimes even death.
  • Tulips and daffodils. The bulbs of these plants, if ingested, may cause serious stomach problems, convulsions, and damage to the heart.
  • Sago palms. Eating just a few seeds may be enough to cause vomiting, seizures, and liver failure.

Please read the other cat poisons and keep your precious cats safe.  Some of the hidden dangers will surprise you.  We all have to keep in mind that leaving residual household cleaner on the floor (or anywhere our cats sit or lie) could pose a real problem. They may not lick it off of the floor or table (though I wouldn’t put it past some cats!), but if any gets on their fur, they WILL lick it when they give themselves a bath.

Filed Under: Cat Health, Cat Safety, Hannah Tagged With: Cat Safety, plants that are harmful to cats, poisonous plants for cats

A Few Reminders for Cat Safety During the Holidays

November 30, 2011 By Joi

Cat health and safety tips during the holidays

Like all kids, cats love the holidays.  One of the highlights each year for me is seeing the reactions of our cats when the Christmas tree, ornaments, lights, and all the other decorations come out.  Their eyes light up as they insist on getting right in the middle of everything!

While cats make the holidays even sweeter, it’s a time when we have to pay close attention to potential dangers for our little ones. Many of the following definitely fall under the heading “common sense,” but we all get so busy this time of year, sometimes we need a few reminders.  Our cats lives are definitely worth the extra time it takes to read over cat safety tips, so let’s have at it.

  1. Even though it’s tempting to give our cats “special treats” such as ham, turkey, whipping cream, icing, etc during the holidays, come up with a better plan.  Buy special Cat Treats and dole them out instead. Cat’s insides are very, very special and they simply can’t process the food that we’re able to process. Why take chances, right?
  2. Make certain your Christmas tree is VERY secure and stable.  Many cats like to climb them (Prissy always did!) and the last thing you want is the tree toppling down on top of your cat.
  3. If you have a live tree, be sure your cat doesn’t drink from the water. Cover it in some fashion. Stagnate water is a health hazard, for one thing, and for another who knows what kind of chemicals or fertilizers could transfer from the tree into the water. This water could make your cat very sick at best and could prove poisonous at worst.
  4. If you have cats (or dogs or small children for that matter) in your house, you’d be better off avoiding tinsel altogether.  Cats find tinsel completely irresistible – so shiny and easy to play with! However, tinsel easily gets into their digestive tract and can cause obstruction (which requires surgery and a great amount of pain for your cat).
  5. Tissue paper, popular for putting in gift bags, is something else that cats can get into their digestive system, which would then wreak havoc.  If you use tissue paper, make certain it’s closed up tightly within the bag and be sure to throw it all away immediately upon opening.
  6. Beware of long ribbons as well.  Cats can get them wrapped around their necks, creating a choking risk.  They’ve also been known to get these ribbons stuck in their throats.
  7. Never leave burning candles unattended, for obvious reasons.
  8. Anything that involves burning oil, melted wax, or flames is simply too risky. Potpourri pots can EASILY be pulled down by a cat who is either attacking the cord or simply running from one place to another.  Again, it’s just not worth the risk.
  9. Cats LOVE gift bags – the bright, fun, “crinkly” bags spell GOOD TIMES to an inquisitive little girl or boy!  I always leave a few lying around for Alexa, much to her delight.  However, I make certain that the strings are unattached – the larger bags are especially dangerous (the ribbon loops look like little nooses!).
  10. I already mentioned “treats,” but this one merits its own mention: Chocolate is a huge NO NO for cats (dogs too). Chocolate can poison a cat, plain and simple.  Also, make certain your cats never eat anything containing xylitol.  Again, what’s the best way to make sure your cat doesn’t digest food that’ll harm her? Feed her only cat treats and cat food.  Also, remember that just because you don’t hand it to your cat doesn’t mean she can’t get to it! Keep candy and all other foods out of your cat’s reach.
  11. No doubt you (like me) fill your cat’s stocking with toys and special treats.  Make sure the toys, themselves, are safe. It’s always best to buy specially made cat toys because you pretty much know for certain they won’t contain poisonous paint or harmful parts. Cat toy manufacturers have a lot of codes they have to live up to and that always makes me feel safer. Remember that long, stringy toys can cause a lot of nightmares, as can small parts that can come off and lodge in your cat’s throat or intestines.
  12. Make sure no turkey or ham bones are given to your cat and be sure they’re disposed of properly.
  13. Keep Holly (the plant, not a relative!) out of the home.  Holly can cause pets to suffer needlessly with nausea and diarrhea.
  14. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset as well as cardiovascular problems.
  15. Many lilies lead to kidney failure and death for cats.  Why take any chances?  Buy artificial plants and keep your cat safe and healthy.
  16. If there’s a lot of commotion, noise, and guests, some cats may want to retreat to another room for some much needed peace and relaxation.  If this is the case, be certain they have their essentials nearby: Litter box, water, food, and a comfortable place to sleep.  If your cat does seek refuge, don’t try to coax her out – she’ll come out when she feels ready.

Finally, remember three facts that are essential for cat health and safety:

  1. Cats are small children in fur coats. Everything is a toy and everything is a game.  Like children, they cannot discern what is safe and what isn’t. It’s up to us. To keep them safe, we have to think like they do and look at the world from their viewpoint. Seek out anything that poses a threat to your cat and remove the danger.
  2. Cats are perhaps the most emotionally in-tuned animal in the world.  They’re like emotional sponges, as one vet put it. They pick up on our moods as well as the excitement going on around them. Sometimes the chaos and excitement will cause them to act differently than normal. They may sleep more, may be cranky, or may need more of your attention and reassurance.
  3. Cats aren’t wild about change. They crave consistency and want their little world to pretty much stay the same. Same feeding schedule, same play time, same “couch time,” and same television routine!  Cats feel stress and nothing causes them to stress out quite like change, so keep things as normal as you possibly can during the holidays.  Also, cats HATE sharing their parents with other people or situations. They want their mom and dad’s attention and feel distress when they feel that someone or something else is taking any of this attention away from them. If children (or Heaven forbid other pets!) come into your home during the holidays, be sure to reassure your cat(s) and involve them in everything you possibly can.

I hope you and your cats have a fun, safe, and wonderful Christmas and holiday season!  I’ll be adding more cat lovers gift ideas, cat toys, and cat ornaments – so watch for them.

Filed Under: Cat Health, Cat Safety Tagged With: Cat Health, Cat Safety, poisonous plants for cats

Plants That Could Harm Your Cat or Dog

May 6, 2009 By Joi

Beautiful Cat

If you’re anything like me, you’re an animal lover extraordinaire who also happens to love plants and flowers.  With furry babies all around the house, inside and out, I’m extremely careful about the plants that I grow.  After all, cats are likely to nibble on anything that doesn’t nibble on them first, and many plants can make them sick.  Some could even kill them.

I’ve always known that the beautiful Spider Plant is safe because my mom always had about 5 or 6 of them while I was growing up – and we always had cats and dogs.  One of our cats, a cross-eyed gorgeous Siamese named Solo, loved nothing more than stalking and chewing on Spider Plants.  Since he lived to be as old as Methuselah, I figured this was a non-toxic plant.

There were a few plants that I wasn’t so sure about, so I  researched them this morning using my favorite source: ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants for Cats, Dogs, and Horses – I love how thorough they are!  It’s easiest if you know the name of the plant that you’re wondering about – then all you have to do is search for the results.  They’ll let you know if this plant is toxic (dangerous) or non-toxic (safe).  There is an option where you can see only plants that are toxic or non-toxic for cats, dogs, or horses – or you can opt to include all 3.

If you’re wondering about any plants, check out their databse – it’s incredible.

Filed Under: Cat Health Tagged With: Cat Health, poisonous plants for cats, poisonous plants for pets

You NEED This Book!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Cats

Chicken Soup for the Soul’s wonderfully entertaining and inspirational The Magic of Cats. My oldest daughter, Emily, has a story about one of my grandcats (“Eddie”) in this collection!

MinJee

Beautiful “MinJee”
We have inside and outside cats and we love them all like family. The beauty, above, is MinJee and she is as sweet as she is gorgeous.

If the spoiled inside crew would allow it, needless to say they’d ALL be inside. As it is, our outside cats have their own custom-built wooden homes and penthouses and, yes, they are all equipped with heating pads for the cold months.

We also feed and care for feral cats. Some honor us by following us home and allowing us to give them a forever home and to, more importantly, be their forever family.

Welcome to Your Cat’s Favorite Blog!

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and, simply put, cats make my world go round! Please e-mail me with any questions regarding the cat blog.

Disclaimer: As someone who works full-time from home, I use affiliate links when posting about cat furniture, toys, litter boxes, etc. I make a small amount of money each time someone clicks through and purchases a product they see on my blog. This costs you absolutely no extra money whatsoever. It simply allows me to provide my cats with the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to!

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