What house plants are dangerous to cats?

Answer 1

Many plants like:

• alfalfa (medicago sativa)
• almond pits (prunus dulcis)
• aloe vera (aloe vera)
• amaryllis (hippeastrum)
• apple seeds (malus pumila)
• apricot pits (prunus armeniaca)
• arrowhead vine or nephthytis (syngonium podophyllum)
• asparagus fern (asparagus densiflorus)
• azalea or rhododendron (rhododendron)
• balsam pear (momordica charantia)
• beech (fagus sylvatica)
• begonia (begonia)
• bindweed or morning glory (convolvulus, ipomoea)
• bird of paradise (strelitzia reginae)
• bittersweet or staff vine (celastrus)
• black locust (robinia pseudoacacia)
• box or common boxwood (buxus sempervirens)
• buckeye or horse chestnut (aesculus)
• buttercups (ranunculus)
• caladium or elephant's ear (alocasia)
• castor bean (ricinus communis)
• cherry bark, leaves, pits, seeds, & twigs (prunus)
• Christmas cactus (schlumbergera bridgesii)
• chrysanthemum (chrysanthemum)
• coleus (coleus hybridus)
• creeping charlie (pilea nummulariifolia)
• creeping fig (ficus pumila)
• crown of thorns (euphorbia milii)
• cyclamen (cyclamen)
• daffodil (narcissus)
• daphne (daphne)
• deadly nightshade (atropa bella-donna)
• delphinium or larkspur (delphinium, consolida)
• dieffenbachia or drunk cane (dieffenbachia)
• emerald duke
• euonymus or spindle tree (euonymus)
• foxglove (digitalis)
• golden chain tree (laburnum)
• geranium (pelargonium)
• heart leaf or philodendron (philodendron scandens)
• holly (ilex)
• honeysuckle berries (lonicera)
• hydrangea (hydrangea)
• iris (iris)
• ivies, all (hedera)
• jack-in-the-pulpit (arisaema triphyllum)
• jasmine (gelsemium, jasminum)
• Jerusalem cherry (solanum pseudocapsicum)
• lilies, all (lilium)
• lily-of-the-valley (convallaria)
• lupine (lupinus)
• majesty
• marble queen or pothos (epipremnum aureum)
• mescal bean (sophora)
• mistletoe berries (santalales)
• mock orange (philadelphus coronarius)
• monkshood (aconitum)
• morning glory or bindweed (convolvulus, ipomoea)
• mushrooms (amanita muscaria)
• nephthytis or arrowhead vine (syngonium podophyllum)
• oleander (nerium oleander)
• peach bark, leaves & pits (prumus persica)
• periwinkle (catharanthus roseus)
• philodendron or heart leaf (philodendron scandens)
• poinsettia (euphorbia)
• poison hemlock (conium maculatum)
• potato, green parts & eyes (solanum tuberosum)
• pothos or marble queen (epipremnum aureum)
• pot mum
• precatory bean (abrus precatorius)
• privet (ligustrum)
• red princess
• rhododendron or azalea (rhododendron)
• rhubarb (rheum)
• rosary pea (abrus precatorius)
• saddle leaf
• skunk cabbage (lysichiton)
• spindle tree or euonymus (euonymus)
• spider mum
• spinach (spinacia oleracea)
• split leaf
• spraneri fern
• staff vine or bittersweet (celastrus)
• tobacco (nicotiana)
• tulip (tulipa)
• weeping fig (ficus benjamina)
• wisteria (wisteria)
• yews, all (taxus)

Answer 2

Below is a list of specific foods that are known to be toxic to either dogs or cats (if something's toxic to dogs, it's at least an even money bet it's also toxic to cats). Note that just because something's NOT on the list doesn't mean it's "safe"; the lists concentrate on things that are fine for humans but not for pets (anything toxic to humans is probably also toxic to cats).

The main issue is that cats' livers are not as efficient at dealing with certain chemicals as humans' livers are, so stuff that's theoretically toxic even to humans gets processed quickly so that it no longer poses a threat and humans can eat it with no problems, knowing their liver will take care of it before it can hurt them. Humans, as omnivores, are adapted to eating a wide variety of foods; cats, as obligate carnivores, pretty much just eat meat in the wild, so a lot of compounds that are found in plants are very foreign to their natural diets.

Medicine in general: Unless your vet has specifically recommended a particular medicine (and dosage; humans, even small children, weigh a lot more than most cats and a dose that would be fine for a person is probably WAY too high for a cat even if the cat can tolerate the medicine itself) for your cat, don't try to give it over-the-counter medicines intended for people. For example, Tylenol (acetaminophen, paracetamol) is one of those things that's toxic but human livers can (just barely) handle it. A cat's liver will basically shut down and the cat will die from even a small dose.

Chocolate: Although many people are aware that Chocolate is bad for cats and dogs, it's something that is commonly left on a table or counter top. Dogs may tear into a box of candy when the opportunity presents itself. In large quantities, chocolate causes coma and death. In lesser quantities, it will cause gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea. The degree of toxicity depends on the weight of the animal and the amount and type of chocolate consumed. Semi-sweet and bakers chocolate, for instance, contain more theobromine than regular chocolate, making them even more toxic to animals. Dogs love chocolate, so don't let taste be a test of what is healthy. Anything containing cocoa or chocolate should be avoided. Cats don't have taste receptors for sweetness, but can be attracted by the fat content of chocolate.

Grapes & Raisins: Though it isn't clear to scientists just what makes grapes and raisins toxic to both cats and dogs, even a relatively small amount can damage the kidneys. For this reason it's unwise to feed these to your pet, even if small amounts are tolerated. Also avoid giving bits of cookie or other foods that contain raisins.

Garlic, Onions, and Powders: Whether fresh, cooked or powdered, garlic and/or onions can be found among the ingredients of many prepared meals, including baby food. Garlic and onions can be toxic to cats and dogs because sulfoxides and disulfides found in them can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. Onions are more problematic than garlic, but both should be avoided. If preparing a meal for yourself that will contain garlic or onions, consider preparing a side portion without these ingredients for your animals.

Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts are soft, light-colored nuts often used in cookie recipes. They are considered toxic to dogs because they tend to cause gastrointestinal upsets, lethargy, vomiting and muscle tremors or stiffness.

Mushrooms: Various species of mushrooms are toxic to dogs, and can cause shock and death. Effects will differ depending on the type ingested, but avoid feeding any type. Pluck "backyard mushrooms" that might sprout on the lawn, as these are known to be toxic to canines.

Tomatoes and tomato plants: Tomatoes of all kinds are toxic to cats, as are parts of the tomato plant. Ingesting as little as a cherry tomato can cause severe gastrointestinal upset.

Chicken Bones: Though not toxic, chicken bones can get stuck in the roof of the mouth, throat and intestines, and should be avoided, according to many veterinarians. Splinters of chicken bones can also become lodged internally.

Xylitol: This is a sugar substitute found in many types of candy, chewable vitamins, sugarless baked goods, and in sugarless gums like Trident™ and Orbit™. As little as three grams (e.g. about five pieces of gum) can kill a 65 pound dog, with smaller dogs succumbing to just one or two sticks. Within 15-30 minutes of ingesting xylitol a dog's insulin levels will surge and blood sugar levels will drop, resulting in lethargy and loss of balance. Permanent brain damage can occur and without treatment liver failure will result in death within 24 hours. Diabetics that might have sugarless baked goods or other sugarless products in the home should be especially careful to read all ingredients before sharing food.

If a dog or cat should ingest a product that contains xylitol call your veterinarian or animal emergency services immediately. You might be instructed to induce vomiting if the dog is already having a reaction or if the office is more than 30 minutes away. Do not leave products containing xylitol within a dog's reach.

Other foods to avoid include raw potatoes, especially those containing green spots; turkey skin; nutmeg; and anything with caffeine, including tea. Alcohol and hops should also be avoided as alcohol poisoning can lead to coma and death. Do not allow your pet to rummage through the trash, as moldy food contains toxins that can cause serious illness.

Milk and cream: Not actually "toxic", but humans are rare in that we (at least most of us of European descent) retain the enzymes for digesting lactose into adulthood. Most other adult animals, including cats, should be treated as if they were at least mildly lactose-intolerant.

Sugary treats in general: Again, it's not necessarily so much "toxic" as "not particularly good for them". Cats don't have taste buds for sugar, so they generally aren't terribly interested in sweets, but if you feed them sugar anyway you're basically just contributing to tooth decay and the cat doesn't even get to enjoy the sweetness. Artifiicial sweeteners don't taste sweet to cats either, and they may be things their livers can't handle (see "Xylitol" above).

Edit: COOKED chicken bones are dangerous for cats and dogs. Raw chicken bones can be given as part of a normal diet and do not splinter or pose a threat for animals.

Answer 3

I was always told that poinsettas are poisonous to cats. Several months ago, however, I read an entry on snopes.com (the myths and urban legends debunking site) that said that, despite all the rumors about poinsettas being toxic to humans and animals, they are actually not poisonous to humans or dogs, unless a very, very large amount of them are eaten. And even then, the dog or person probably won't die. They'll just get really sick.

Unfortunately, the entry neglected to specifically mention whether or not poinsettas are poison to cats.

I have included a link to the entry so you can see for yourself.

Answer 4

There are a number of common household plants that are poisonous for cats. A few of these are Lilies, Tulips, Azaleas, and Chrysanthemums. Aloe and Jade plants are house plants which are also considered to be toxic for cats.

Answer 5

See the related link for ASPCA list so you have have it as a reference.

Answer 6

Please click on the link below; The cat fanciers Inc. for a list of poisonous plants to cats.

Answer 7

Yes Lillies are deadly and so are rhododendrons and other plants

Answer 8

Here is a list for you. http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants.html

Answer 9

Anything that is poison to you is most likely poison to them.