Common Household Hazards

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⚠️PLANTS
Indoor and outdoor plants can pose a risk to your cat. Ingesting just a small piece of some common ornamental plants such as poinsettias could be enough to make a cat ill, and swallowing a sizable amount could prove fatal. Lilies are especially toxic to cats; they can cause life-threatening kidney failure if ingested even in tiny amounts. Plants that are toxic for cats include (but are not limited to):

  • LILIES!!! Lilies (Lilium), all types, including Easter lily (Lilium longiflorum), tiger lily (Lilium tigrinum), rubrum lily (Lilium speciosum), Japanese show lily (Lilium lancifolium), and some species of day lily (Hemerocallis species). Of all the plants out there, lilies are probably the biggest safety concern for felines. That’s because ingestion can cause kidney failure, which requires immediate hospitalization to treat, and can be fatal even with treatment. Every part of the plant is poisonous to cats — the leaves, flowers, pollen, and even water in the vase. All parts of lilies are toxic to cats. If eaten, they will cause kidney failure. The first signs of exposure are vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Many cat guardians do not see these signs as unusual and do not seek immediate attention. Kidney failure will occur within 24 to 72 hours after ingestion. Kidney failure symptoms include excessive thirst, increased urination, lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, and dehydration. If you remember just one plant from this list, remember to avoid lilies.
  • CROTON. Ingestion may cause mild oral and gastrointestinal irritation resulting in mild drooling, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Skin irritation may also occur after exposure to the sap but tends to be mild.
  • PHILODENDRON leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals which, if ingested, irritate the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the stomach and intestines.
  • DIEFFENBACHIA. Also known as dumb cane or tropic snow, this plant typically isn’t so dangerous as to be fatal. But it does contain irritating compounds that can cause painful burning in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting.
  • CALADIUM. It can cause upset stomach, oral irritation, asphyxiation, tremors, seizures, loss of balance, and even death.
  • SCHEFFLERA.  Schefflera can cause vomiting, kidney problems, tremors, and heart and respiratory problems. Scheffleras can also cause oral irritation, such as difficulty swallowing, drooling, and burning of the mouth, lips, and tongue.
  • AUTUMN CROCUS. This fall-blooming flower can cause mouth irritation, severe digestive upset (possibly including bloody vomiting), damage to multiple body organs, bone marrow suppression, and even death in both cats and dogs.
  • AZALEAS & RODODENRONS. These flowering plants can cause vomiting and diarrhea, weakness, heart problems, depression of the central nervous system, and even coma and death.
  • CALLA LILLI. It can cause upset stomach, oral irritation, asphyxiation, tremors, seizures, loss of balance, and even death.
  • CASTOR BEAN.  Keep this enticing 3-inch-high plant out of reach! If it’s ingested, animals can suffer from drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and excessive thirst. Severe poisoning can result in tremors, seizures, comas, and death.
  • DAFFODILS & NARCISSUS. These plants — especially the bulbs — can cause stomach upset, convulsions, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, and dangerously low blood pressure.
  • OLEANDER. This flowering shrub is a common outdoor plant. However, it is dangerous to your cat’s heart if ingested. In addition to causing stomach upset, the effects on the heart can be fatal.
  • ONIONS & CHIVES. While some herbs are pet-friendly, onions and chives are not. In addition to stomach upset, they can cause red blood cell destruction and life-threatening anemia in some pets.
  • SAGO PALMS. This popular tropical plant is commonly planted outdoors, although indoor varieties also exist. Ingestion can cause liver damage in cats, which may be fatal even with treatment. Other effects may include bloody vomiting and diarrhea, weakness/depression, and seizures.
  • TULIPS. Ingestion of tulips (especially the bulb, although all parts of the plant are toxic) can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy/depression, and convulsions.
  • POINSETTIAS. While their toxicity has been exaggerated, poinsettias can cause stomach upset if eaten.
  • MISTLETOE. This plant also causes stomach upset, which may be accompanied by more severe effects like an abnormal heart rate, difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse, and (in large amounts) death.
  • HOLLY causes severe stomach upset.
  • YEW. The yew is an evergreen often used in wreaths & holiday floral arrangements. The waxy needles and succulent red berries can cause GI upset, tremors, respiratory distress, and cardiac failure.
  • AMARYLLIS. Depending on which part of the plant and how much your pet ingests, they can experience a host of symptoms, including vomiting, changes in blood pressure, tremors and seizures. Call the Pet Poison Helpline immediately.
  • SNOWDROPS. If your pet eats any part of this plant, they may develop GI upset, abnormal heart rate and blood pressure, or seizures. Call the Pet Poison Helpline immediately.
  • CHRISTMAS ROSE. Its “cardiotoxins” can cause diarrhea, lethargy, drooling, and abdominal pain.
  • CHRISTMAS TREES. Christmas trees can be spruce, pine, fir or fake, all of which can irritate the GI tract and cause vomiting, diarrhea & decreased appetite, which typically resolve on their own. In rare cases, ingested needles can cause intestinal blockage.
  • FOXGLOVES. The toxic principle is cardiac glycosides, including digoxin and digitoxin which cause cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, heart failure and death.
  • BABY’S BREATH. Can be a toxic plant to cats if ingested in a larger portion.This plant irritates the lining of the throat and stomach.
  • SWEET WILLIAM. Mildly toxic to felines, causing clinical signs of gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea.
  • HYDRANGEA. All parts of the hydrangea plant are toxic. mild poisoning is common and often leads to stomach upset in cats when they consume large amounts. 

⚠️Take a look at this helpful infographic that details the 199 most common houseplants toxic to animals.

⚠️MEDICATION
Human medications and flea treatments for dogs can be acutely toxic for cats. Remember: never give your cat medications without first consulting your veterinarian. Cats will often gobble up pills they find lying on tables or dropped on the floor, so be vigilant with your medications. Some common causes of poisoning include:

  • Aspirin
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
  • Ibuprofen
  • Dietary supplements (vitamins)
  • Flea medication for dogs (Cats must not be allowed to come in contact with a treated dog for 24 hours.)

⚠️HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
Many of the chemicals around your house can present a hazard for your feline friends. Keep these materials in a place your cats can’t reach, and ensure any spills are cleaned up promptly. If you have an outdoor cat, take precautions when using these products in your yard.

  • Pesticides
    • Insecticides and Rodenticides
       
  • Garden products
    • Fertilizers
    • Weed killers
    • Molluscicides (snail baits and snail pellets)
       
  • Miscellaneous products
    • Ethylene glycol antifreeze
    • Paint thinner
    • Swimming pool chemicals
    • Household cleaners (including bleach, detergents, and disinfectants)

⚠️TOXIC FOOD
It’s tempting to give your beloved cat a treat of human food, but many of the things we enjoy are off-limits for our feline friends. These foods include (but are not limited to):

  • Grapes
  • Onions
  • Raisins
  • Avocados
  • Anything containing xylitol, an artificial sweetener
  • Chocolate

Signs of Poisoning

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizures
  • Blood in the stool/urine
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Bruising
  • Nosebleeds
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Inability to urinate
  • Difficulty breathing


How quickly will my cat become ill?
This depends upon the toxin involved. By the time an owner recognizes a problem, a cat may be at significant risk for serious health problems. For this reason, a prompt veterinary consultation is essential.