5 Houseplants to Keep Away from Cats
Houseplants are small ways to make your surroundings look brighter and warm. People love growing plants both indoors and outdoors. Some of the common houseplants that you love can be dangerous for your pet cat. Here is a list of trendy houseplants that are toxic to cats. You should avoid growing these at home when you have a curious cat around.
Asian Lily
Lilies are beautiful flowers that come in different colors and also have a pleasant smell. However, these are on the top in the list of trendy houseplants that are toxic to cats. They are so harmful to cats that if any part of the plant such as the leaves or flowers are ingested, it can lead to kidney damage and kidney failure. Experts say that almost all kinds of lily varieties are harmful to house pets.
Jade
Jade can be grown indoors and outdoors and this is a no-fuss plant. It needs less maintenance and grows all on its own. If you are tempted to grow this plant at home, then don’t. Consuming the leaves of jade can lead to side effects such as vomiting, slower heart rate, and loss of muscle function in your cat. If you suspect your cat did eat the leaves or the stalk of the jade plant, rush to the hospital right away.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a plant that is associated with the holiday season. People love hanging mistletoe wreaths at home as a sign of good luck. Do make sure these are hung out of reach of your cat. You should know that this is also one of the trendy houseplants that are toxic to cats. Consuming mistletoe can lead to side effects that include vomiting, diarrhea, and even mood changes in cats. Extreme cases of toxicity leads to loss of muscle function and lowered blood pressure.
Begonia
This is a beautiful flowering plant that is known for its bright and lovely flowers. These make it to the list of trendy houseplants that are toxic to cats owing to how easily they harm your pet. Ingesting the flowers or the leaves of the plant can cause a severe burning sensation in the mouth and vomiting. It can also cause the tongue and mouth to swell.
Caladium
This is a common plant people grow outdoors and on patios. This plant has characteristic large elephant ear-shaped leaves that come in different colors. Chewing on these leaves can cause swelling and irritation in the mouth and tongue. You may also notice excessive drooling and difficulty in swallowing in your pet.
Do make sure you do not grow these trendy houseplants that are toxic to cats as they are very risky to have around cats that are active and curious. If you take your cat to a friend or a relative’s place, stay wary of the plants around too. Immediately contact your vet if you notice your cat having any discomfort.