4 Houseplants That Could Harm Your Cat

If you have a cat or plan on getting a cat, you must be aware of what houseplants could harm your cats. That way, you can keep your cats away from your plants and know how to act if a houseplant ever poisons your cat.

Plant #1: Aloe

Many people enjoy growing aloe plants in their home. Aloe is great for sunburns and is very soothing when applied to the skin. However, aloe is not that friendly for your cat. Although your cat can eat the gel inside of the plant, the other parts of the plant, such as the tough skin that protects the gel inside, is not suitable for your cat to eat. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy in your cat.  

Plant #2: Monstera

Monstera Delicious is a trendy house plant for people who like plants due to the unique leaf configuration, with holes in the leaves. It may look cool, but it is not good for your cat. It can cause throat pain and make swallowing difficult. It can make your cat droll uncontrollably and really irritate their mouth and respiratory tract. This plant may look cool but is best left out of your plant arrangement when you have a cat in your home.

Plant #3: Lilies

Lilies are a common present for special occasions, such as birthdays or anniversaries, as the flower can last for months with the right care. However, most types of lilies are toxic to cats. Even just a little nibble of a Lilly can result in kidney damage and death for a cat. Lilies are severely toxic, and if you have a cat, you should not allow any lily inside your home.

Plant #4: Tulips

Tulips are another plant that is commonly given as gifts, especially in the spring. Tulips are not as toxic as lilies; however, they are not something you should plant in your yard or keep around your home as they can still cause issues. For most cats, if they snack on a tulip, they will experience oral irritation, which can lead to excessive drooling, as well as nausea. A tulip can be fatal; however, your cat would need to eat almost the entire bulb of the tulip for that to happen.

If you have any plants in your home that could harm your cat, you may want to consider getting rid of the plant. Cats like to nibble on plants, and you don't want to take the risk that your cat bites on a plant that could harm them. If your cat ever eats a poisonous houseplant, get them to the veterinarian hospital right away. The vet will help your cat deal with the consequences and hopefully make it through the process as unchanged as possible.