With Easter right around the corner and springtime here, it’s time to highlight the list of the most poisonous and toxic plants for cats.
The Lily is Extremely Toxic and Deadly for Cats
Many people give and receive lilies for Easter, but know that lilies are considered highly toxic and poisonous to cats—they are so severely poisonous they are in fact deadly.
The reported mortality rate for lilies is as high as 100% if left untreated later than 18 hours after ingestion.
For cats that even ingest a small amount of most types of lilies, severe kidney failure can occur within 36 hours. Just the yellow-orange pollen that falls off the stamen onto your table or counter is lethally poisonous to cats. Since cats groom, if the pollen gets onto your cat’s fur, be sure to wash it off with water or a wet towel, and make sure there are no traces left. Continue reading Most Toxic Plants for Cats, Lilies and More→
When you think about it, our homes can present a minefield of possible hazards for cats. Here’s some help navigating the dangers, and making your home safer, happier and healthier for your cat. Checkout our full list below.
Top Toxins in Your Kitchen for Cats
Garlic and Onions are Toxic to Cats
1. Garlic – in all forms 2. Onions & Onion Powder, Chives – in all forms 3. Cheese & Milk – cats are lactose intolerant, they aren’t able to digest dairy products due to their digestive system 4. Alcohol – this may seem obvious, just even a tiny amount is toxic and can cause coma and death 5. Raisins and Grapes – these can cause kidney failure in cats 6. Coffee, Tea, Cocoa, Cola, Caffeine — these can be fatal in cats depending on the amount, and this is true for any caffeinated beverage 7. Chocolate – any kind of chocolate can be lethal due to methylxanthines, but dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are the most toxic 8. Candy, Gum and Foods Sweetened with Xylitol – Xylitol sweetens “diet” foods and can lead to liver failure and death 9. Fatty Foods & Bones – avoid giving cats meat or chicken scraps from your dinner plate or meat served to humans, the danger is in the bones that they could ingest but also in the cooked and uncooked fat that is harmful 10. Raw Fish & Meat – can lead to food poisoning due to bacteria; and certain fish enzymes destroy thiamine in cats which can cause neurological damage, convulsions and coma 11. Raw Yeast Dough – this is toxic due to yeast fermenting leading to alcohol poisoning and yeast expanding, which if ingested causes severe gastrointestinal pain and problems 12. Moldy & Spoiled Foods 13. Avocados – all parts of the avocado are toxic to cats due to Persin, sometimes it can even be fatal 14. Kitchen Cupboards – be sure to keep your cupboard doors closed as many products can be harmful for your cat; store your food in cabinets above the kitchen counter not in the cabinets above the floor where your cats may be able to open the doors and go inside
One of the most important things you can do to help cats and pets in your community is to report animal cruelty or neglect. Don’t remain silent or be afraid to reach out—there are many resources and professionals who can help. Remember, the cat or animal being abused or neglected is a helpless, innocent, voiceless victim who has no ability or way of protecting itself, so it’s up to you to speak up and take action.
Notify the Police and County Animal Shelter
Even though every state and county is different, you can immediately call your local police department and your local county animal control to report the neglect or abuse. Provide them with a written factual statement of what you witnessed, and include the time and date. Take photos of the neglect or abuse, take as many as possible, to visually substantiate what you witnessed. If there were other witnesses, talk with them, and get their written accounts and include their name, contact information, and date and time of the incident. Make and keep copies of all the documents you submitted for your own file, don’t give away all of your original documentation. Continue reading How to Report Animal Cruelty→
There are many plants and flowers that are toxic and poisonous for cats to ingest. It’s important to keep these out of your home, or in an area that your cat cannot access. If you know that your cat has ingested a toxic plant, take them to an animal emergency hospital or to your vet immediately. Time is critical before irreversible damage is done to their liver, and the toxicity becomes fatal.
Looking for a cat rescue group near you? Wanting to adopt a rescue cat or volunteer for a rescue group?
Here are resource lists of cat rescue groups in the U.S.
State List of Shelters and Rescue Organizations
There are public and private animal rescue organizations located in all 50 United States and the District of Columbia. These shelters, rescues, and organizations are there to provide assistance to animals in need as well as assisting those who can no longer take care of their animals.
The latest pet food recalls and alerts from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) based on reports and alerts received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or manufacturers. This page also contains the latest product safety recalls.
