Cats usually won't even think about eating greens. But curiosity kills the cat, as the old saying tells us. Cats are curious. Young kittens especially are likely to try nibbling on plants they can reach.
The seeds and pits of common fruits such as apples, apricots, plums, peaches and cherries contain cyanide, which causes dilation of the pupils and inflammation of the mucous membranes. If a cat were to ingest these it would suffer from difficulty breathing and could possibly go into shock and eventually die without medical intervention.
Avocado, which grows in California and Florida and is widely available now in supermarkets, contains a substance called persin which, although harmless to humans, will elicit gastrointestinal problems in cats and can lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
Chamomile is a harmless and useful herb that is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties in humans, but you may be surprised to learn that many of its components, like volatile oils, anthemic and tannic acid, chamazulene and bisabolol can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and allergic reactions in felines as well as allergic skin reactions from direct contact with any part of the plant.
Another plant that is often used as a topical skin treatment, but is toxic to cats is Aloe Vera. Aloe contains saponins that cause gastrointestinal problems accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. Ingestion will change the color of the urine and can trigger tremors and signs of depression or lethargy.
Onion and garlic can cause severe health problems in cats because they contain a type of sulfur molecule that requires a specific enzyme in order to break it down. Humans have these enzymes, but a cat does not and ingestion can be fatal. It is therefore best to stay away from natural dewormers that contain onion powder or garlic.
Some house plants, such as Begonia, Charming Dieffenbachia, the Corn Plant or the Asparagus Fern may cause severe stomach upset and abdominal pain, excessive salivation and drooling, red and irritated mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.
Autumn Crocus, scientifically known as Colchicum Autumnale, is a common plant in many flower gardens. This small flower contains colchicine and other phyto-alkaloids that can be fatal for cats if they ingest parts of the plant accidentally. The dangerous elements from this flower cause damage to multiple inner organs, leading to shock which will be fatal if a cat does not get effective treatment in time. Symptoms include irritation of the oral mucous membranes, the occurrence of a blood-stained, runny stool and vomiting. Chronic cases may develop a suppression of bone marrow which would cause a serious failure of the immune system.
To avoid accidental ingestion of toxic plants it is best to remove these plants from your cat's environment. Cat grass is a good alternative and cats do eat from it from time to time to get rid of ingested hairballs. If you suspect your feline pet has eaten poisonous plant parts it is best to seek professional help immediately.
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