Please help-cat munching on toxic plant :(

[aristocatz]

We decided to buy a few houseplants this weekend: one is called "Pathos" & the other is called "Dracaena." We've had them for almost two days and our 2 cats have been sniffing and munching a little on the leaves. I decided to look them up and two websites lists them as toxic to cats.

What should I do? My cats are resting and napping as they usually do & our vet is not open until tomorrow. Both cats have seemed fine since we got the plants. Neither ate a ton of the plats but I did catch them nibbling a bit.

I just moved both plants to a high shelf. Should I throw them away?

Anything I can give to my cats to help in case they are in danger? I'm really worried-thanks.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

If you cant get in touch with your vets emergency service or find the answer on google, try poison control... they may have an answer

 

[kidzmom3]

this is the link for animal poison control

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/

 

[Normangirls]

If you are sure the plants are toxic to cats, get rid of them immediately.

Find an emergency vet clinic in your area and call them.

A number of years ago, our beloved Cinderella chewed on a leaf from an Easter Lilly (YES -- they are toxic, but we did not know it). She immediately threw it all up. Within 12 hours she was very ill, and within four days she was gone (the vet tried absolutely everything to save her, but eventually her kidneys shut down).

Do not hesitate to get rid of the plants, and get help as soon as you possibly can.

 

[Imzadi]

I would toss the plants. it's not worht the danger. Now that the cats have tasted the plants, they might want further nibbles.

You should check the cats for the symptoms that each plant produces. Like, if the Dracaena produces swelling of the throat and breathing gets obstructed, that's where you want to be looking.


I wanted to get some houseplants, too. The problem is most lists tell you what plants are poisonous to cats. I haven't found a list I can bring into a store that has a list of safe plants. I don't want to keep looking at plants I like, search for ones that will fit the apartment in terms of sun/shadiness, how much care they require, etc., and then have to check some list to see if it's poisonous to cats. Plus, if the lists are not all inclusive, I might still bring home a dangerous plant that just isn't on the list.

It would be so much easier to have a list that I bring in that says, "Yes, you can buy this one!"

 

[raysnkaysmom]

If you are sure the plants are toxic to cats, get rid of them immediately.

Find an emergency vet clinic in your area and call them.

A number of years ago, our beloved Cinderella chewed on a leaf from an Easter Lilly (YES -- they are toxic, but we did not know it). She immediately threw it all up. Within 12 hours she was very ill, and within four days she was gone (the vet tried absolutely everything to save her, but eventually her kidneys shut down).

Do not hesitate to get rid of the plants, and get help as soon as you possibly can.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Our dog got into our neighbors rat poison once. They called the vet and they told us to force peroxide down her, feed her a lot and make her run around (this shakes up the peroxide in her stomach). This caused her to throw up, getting rid of the poison. I don't know if it's the same for cats or dogs, but it worked, Thank God.

 

[Tigger2252]

I would get rid of the plants immediately. My cats will eat any plant that comes in the door. I have no live houseplants in my house at all. I also have to lock away fresh floral arrangements I get as well if I leave the house.

 

[flying_babyb]

I know how you feel about houseplants. I only grow tomatos and bannana's inside the house, since the cat can eat both and not puke to much.

 

[aristocatz]

Thanks for all the input everyone!

Well I called the ASPCA poison hotline and it was $60 to talk to a consultant on the phone, so I declined & kept a close eye on my girls for the rest of the day. They seem to be acting like their regular selves. They are eating & drinking as normal as well. I'm going to call my vet tomorrow.

I moved the plants to a high bookcase that the girls cannot access at all. Should I throw out the plants completely or are they ok to be exposed to them without touching them?

 

[HeatherH]

Glad your kitties seem okay, and hope the vet confirms that tomorrow!

I have two cats...and NO plants. I would get rid of them, gift them to a friend. Cats have a funny way of getting into things that there is "no way" they can get into. It's not worth the risk.

 

[aristocatz]

Glad your kitties seem okay, and hope the vet confirms that tomorrow!

I have two cats...and NO plants. I would get rid of them, gift them to a friend. Cats have a funny way of getting into things that there is "no way" they can get into. It's not worth the risk.

You are right. I think we are going to give the plants to our next door neighbors.

 

[Imzadi]

Glad your kitties seem okay, and hope the vet confirms that tomorrow!

I have two cats...and NO plants. I would get rid of them, gift them to a friend. Cats have a funny way of getting into things that there is "no way" they can get into. It's not worth the risk.

Also glad the kitties are okay. Yes, get rid of the plants. If you forget to water them one day, go out of town or forget to tell the cat sitter to water them and they droop and fall over, knocking the pots to the ground, you don't want the kitties munching on them again on the ground.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Toxic plants can have various effects. Some just create mild oral irritation; some, like Easter Lilies, destroy their kidneys. I'd call your vet, report the plants to them and have them look them up. They will then decide if you need to bring them in for a physical exam or bloodwork. Watch very carefully for any changes in their routine, lack of appetite or vomiting.

I would definitely get rid of the plants. Better safe than sorry. Here is an extensive list of non-toxic plants for cats published by the Cat Fanciers' Association: http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants-non-toxic.html
And toxic and non-toxic lists from ASPCA: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

On another note, if you call your vet and they brush you off and you still feel like there may be something wrong with your cats, please seek out someone who specializes in cats. (Unfortunately some, not all, but some dog and cat practices are more dog focused than they'd like to admit.)

 

[Imzadi]

Here is an extensive list of non-toxic plants for cats published by the Cat Fanciers' Association: http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants-non-toxic.html

Thank you! This is what I need, a list of the NON-toxic plants I am able to get.

 

[jwhtewolfd]

Thank you! This is what I need, a list of the NON-toxic plants I am able to get.

NP, let us know what you end up getting and how the cats are doing.

BTW, I hate opening that can of biscuits too!