Hazardous Household Plants

For those of you with a green thumb and those who just have a few plants around the house it is important to know which of your plants are poisonous to your cats, kittens and even dogs.

According to the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) the ten most common poisonous plants are: marijuana, sago palm, lilies, tulip/narcissus bulbs, azalea/rhododendron, oleander, castor bean, cyclamen, kalanchoe, and yew.

All of these plants are reported as having gastrointestinal and other effects on animals. These effects can be as mild as upset stomach and extreme as severe vomiting, diarrhea and even death. Some other household plants can also be toxic.
Any questions about the plants in and around your house can be directed to the APCC.

If you believe that your pet has ingested any of these plants, you should call the APCC at 1-888-426-4435 and your veterinarian.

You can also visit the APCC’s website for a complete list of toxic household plants and items.

To keep your nibbling cats happy, you may want to buy them some of their own plants. You can buy seeds at pet stores that contain safe grasses or catnip and they can be grown in a cat accessible area.

Keeping your plants up high or hanging them is the best way to keep them out of reach. If you can’t put your plants in these areas you may need to coat them with a bad tasting substance such as Bitter Apple or Tabasco sauce. You can also discourage nibbling by spraying your cats with water when they start to eat your plants.

It may take some time and effort but it is in your and your pets’ best interest to keep them and your plants separated.