Cat Health 101: How to deal with illnesses and accidents - Part 1: Poisoning

September 9, 9:53 PMBoise Cat Care ExaminerSieglinde "Kitty" Scanlan

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Artificial plants are a good option when you have cats in your home

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Cats are curious by nature which can sometimes get them into trouble. Much can be done to prevent the tragic death or serious injury to your beloved feline companion due to poisoning. This article describes common dangers to your cat in the home.

Poisoning through household chemicals such as antifreeze and cleaning products can be easily avoided by simply keeping them out of reach of your cat in much the same way as you would keep them away from small children, keep them locked away. Never leave antifreeze or other vehicle fluid containers on the floor or on an open shelf in your garage if there is a chance your cat may go in there. Store them in a cabinet or in a plastic bin with a tight lid instead. When using flea products on cats and kittens always read and follow the instructions carefully. Be sure to rinse any pesticide shampoo off completely so the cat won't ingest any residue while grooming itself.

Poisonings are life and death situations! This is not something you should attempt to treat on your own. It is vital that you call your veterinarian as soon as you suspect your cat has been poisoned. Try to stay calm and give as much information as possible The survival of your pet is at stake and quick treatment is of utmost importance. Your vet will give you instructions if there is anything you may need to do, but chances are he or she will just tell you to bring your pet in immediately for evaluation and treatment. For more information see the links to related articles. 

Besides household chemicals, plants pose the second most common poisoning threat to cats. Houseplants give your home an inviting feel and add a finishing touch to your decor. If you share your living space with a cat, however, you will need to know which plants to avoid. Otherwise that beautiful Ficus tree, Fern or Dieffenbachia could become your worst nightmare.

Cats like to chew on greens. If your cat doesn't go outside you can grow some grass in a small container just for her so she won't be chewing on your houseplants. It is important to know which plants can be harmful. If you have cats you definitely want to stay away from Lilies, Rubber plants, Ficus and any species that contain a milky-white fluid in their leaves or stems. Even if the cat spits it out the deadly plant secretion may stick to the cat's paws and fur and could be absorbed through the skin or by licking when the cat grooms itself. In some cases, just parts of a plant (bark, leaves, stems, seeds, berries etc.) are poisonous while in other cases such as lilies the entire plant is considered toxic. In the case that your cat chewed or consumed part of such a plant you should rush him to the veterinarian immediately. If you are not sure what type of plant it is then take it with you so the vet can possibly make an identification.

This writer opted for artificial plants in her home rather than take any chances. But if you prefer real plants, the following list shows you which ones to avoid. This list may not be complete but it shows the most common plants found in and around homes.