A emergency vet has warned cat owners about almost a dozen common plants that can make their pet seriously ill and even depressed.
Alex Shirlow, from Vets Now, the emergency veternarian service with a branch based in Liverpool, warned cat owners about 11 different plants and flowers commonly bought for the home that can be "extremely dangerous" to their pets. The list includes flowers that can be found in the home or in the garden at various times of the year, which can cause "vomitting," "diarrhea" and even breathing problems.
Lilies make the top of the list as perhaps the most dangerous. Alex said there has been cases when cats have ingested toxic amounts of Lily pollen by just grooming themselves after brushing against one of the flowers.
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Though not all types of Lily are toxic to cats. Those from the Lilium or Hemerocallis species (which include Asiatic Lilies, Day Lilies, Easter Lilies, Japanese Show Lilies and Tiger Lilies).
If left untreated, Lily poisoning can cause long-lasting liver damage and potentially even death for cats. Alex said: "never, ever buy a cat owner Lilies unless you know they're safe."
One other plant making the list was the Autumn Crocus, which flowers in September and October. "All parts" of the Autumn Crocus are highly toxic to cats and can cause "severe symptoms" including vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, seizures and even death.
If you cat ingests any part of the Autumn Crocus the symptoms may take days to appear, though they may also been seen almost immediately.
Alongside the Autumn Crocus and certain types of Lily, nine other plants made the list. Here are those plants, and how they can be poisonous to your cats:
Amaryllis
The dangerous part of the Amaryllis plant is inthe stalks, flowers and bulbs, which contain phenanthridine alkaloids which are toxic to cats. If a cats eats the plant they could expereince vomiting, changing blood pressure, tremors and seizures.
Daffodils
The yellow flowers contain another poisonous alkaloud that can cause vomiting. The crystals in Daffodil bulbs are also extremely toxic and can cause respiratory problems and cardiac arrhythmias.
Tulips
Though Tulip bulbs are the most toxic part of the plant, all parts are harmful to cats and Alex advises to keep them far away from them. They contain allergenic lactones which if ingested can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression.
Chrysanthemums
Though only mildly toxic, if a cat eats a Chrysanthemum they could show symptoms of vomitting, diarrhoea and lack of appetite.
Hyacinths
The highest concentration of substances poisonous to cats in Hyacinths is in their bulbs, which if eaten can lead to dribbling, vomitting and diarrhoea.
Iris and Gladoli
Belonging to the Iridaceae family, these plants can cause irritation when eaten. The bulbs are the most toxic part.
Cyclamen
This plant contains Saponins, which, if ingesting in large enough quantities through consumption of the plant can lead to sickness, diarrhoea and even heart failure.
Widow's thrill
Also known as Kalanchoe, this plant is toxic to cats and could lead to them voimitting or having diarrhoea. The toxins within the plant have also been known to cause abnormal heart rhythms.
Foxglove
Foxglove plants contain substances poisonous to cats that can affect the operation of their heart.
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