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Common Garden Flowers Poisonous to Cats: Expert Veterinarian Guidance
As spring blossoms, many pet owners consider enhancing their gardens or homes with fresh flowers. However, for households with feline companions, it’s crucial to select blooms that are not toxic to cats. A veterinarian has identified several popular flowers that pose a danger to your feline friend.
Eoghan, a veterinarian at Blue Cross, has highlighted a list of flowers to avoid and crucial signs indicating potential poisoning in cats who may have ingested harmful flora. Blue Cross has also shared a video on TikTok further detailing this important information.
Lilies: A Major Threat
Beginning with lilies, Eoghan stated, “Lilies are among the most poisonous plants for cats. Every part of the lily is extremely toxic and can trigger kidney failure, which can be fatal in severe circumstances.”
He further cautioned, “Even a small amount of pollen from certain lilies on a cat’s fur can cause a reaction.” The UK-based veterinary charity, PDSA, also concurs, emphasizing that lilies are “extremely poisonous to cats.”
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PDSA’s website elaborates, “Lilies are favored for their beautiful flowers, but unfortunately, they present a high toxicity risk to cats. If a cat consumes or licks any part of a lily plant, they are prone to developing kidney damage, which, if untreated, can result in kidney failure and death.”
“All components of a lily plant are dangerous, including the leaves, petals, and pollen, even in minimal quantities. Lily poisoning frequently occurs when cats brush against lilies, collecting pollen on their fur, which they later ingest while grooming.”
Tulips: Part of the Toxic Lily Family
Eoghan further cautioned that tulips, being part of the ‘lily family,’ are also toxic to cats. He noted that while all parts of the tulip are poisonous, the bulbs are the most dangerous.
Signs that a cat has ingested tulip can include:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Loss of coordination
- Breathing difficulties
Pet food experts at Purina explain that tulips are poisonous to cats due to alkaloid and glycoside compounds, along with allergenic lactones, all of which are harmful upon ingestion.
Echoing Eoghan’s advice, Purina highlights the tulip bulb as particularly harmful due to its higher concentration of toxins. “While severe toxicity usually stems from eating tulip bulbs, any ingestion of a tulip warrants immediate veterinary consultation. Even nibbling small amounts of tulip leaves or petals can irritate the mouth and oesophagus.”
Foxgloves: Cardiac Toxin
Moving to foxgloves, Eoghan identified them as another flower poisonous to cats. The toxicity stems from a “naturally occurring toxin within foxgloves that impacts the heart.”
The Blue Cross veterinarian clarified, “In human medicine, this toxin is used in heart disease medication. However, in a healthy cat, it can induce vomiting and diarrhoea, weakness, and potentially lead to arrhythmias, irregular heart rhythms, and even death.”
Daffodils: Toxic Bulbs and Plant Parts
Next on the list, Eoghan mentioned daffodils as toxic to cats, encompassing the entire plant and notably the bulb. He pointed out that reactions to daffodils are “rarely fatal,” but any part of the flower can cause:
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Low blood pressure
- Occasionally seizures
Cats Protection, a prominent UK cat welfare charity, explains that daffodil bulbs contain crystals “extremely toxic to cats if consumed.” They also indicate that daffodil heads and leaves can cause illness if eaten.
The charity detailed that daffodils contain lycorine, a poisonous substance. Ingestion can lead to stomach upset, vomiting, or more serious health complications, according to Cats Protection.
Eoghan concluded his TikTok video with a critical message: “If you suspect your cat has come into contact with any poisonous plants, even without witnessing ingestion, seek veterinary advice promptly. Early intervention can be life-saving.”