Cats are instinctively driven to eat grass to self-medicate, regulate, and improve their digestive health. But we must be very careful because some plants can be harmful or even fatal.
Poisoning symptoms can be more or less severe depending on the amount the cat has ingested; common symptoms include:
- Excessive salivation
- Foamy salivation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Respiratory problems
- Cardiac arrhythmias
But what plants are harmful to cats?
We have compiled a list of the most common toxic plants:
- Aloe
- Agave
- Anthurium
- Calla
- Crocus vernus
- Cyclamen
- Dieffenbachia
- Common ivy
- Fig
- Fern
- Hyacinth
- Lilies
- Lilac
- Monstera deliciosa
- Lily of the valley
- Narcissus Narcissus
- Castor bean Ricinus
- Rhododendron
- Hydrangea
- Oleander
- Orchids
- Poinsettia
- Spathiphyllum
We would like to point out that there are safe alternatives and "good plants" that cats can get familiar with and eat happily, which provide fiber and nutrients beneficial for digestion; here are some examples:
- Intermediate wheatgrass
- Oat Arrhenatherum sp.
- Creeping thyme
- Spider plant
- Carrot Daucus
- Citronella
- Catnip
- Areca palm Dypsis lutescens
- Parsley Petroselinum hortense
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Valerian
In conclusion, our advice is to pay attention to your little feline, and if you think it has eaten a poisonous plant, we recommend contacting your trusted veterinarian or the nearest emergency care service.