  Introduction to and Manual of POISONOUS
Plants and Substances. |
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"If your cat(s) and your house
plants have had a few run-ins (and in these encounters,
the cat is usually the victor  , unless
the plants are poisonous of course) try these tips from
"101 TRAINING TIPS FOR YOUR CAT" |
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| "Some cats love to dig in the dirt of potted plants. Others enjoy munching on the greenery. If your cat has either of these habits, or just destroys your plants as a form of entertainment, you will have to train him/her to keep away from the (your) plants. | |
| "Your cat will not be trained instantly. That means you must put any poisonous plants out of kitty's reach. Cats are more likely to get into plants that are at floor level or on low tables. They are less likely to get into plants that are up on shelves. Hanging plants is the best way to keep them out of cat's reach. "(Note: Some Siamese -or all of them- and most Abyssinians and Somalis will consider plants on shelves or even hanging from the ceiling an extra challenge, and try their very best to get at them. Their very best is very GOOD indeed.) | |
| "Cats that dig in potting soil can be deterred by covering the dirt with waxed paper or aluminum foil. (Poke some holes in it to allow air circulation). Other choices: lay chicken wire over the soil; pile wood chips on top of the dirt; or put a layer of stones on the dirt. | |
| "If your cat is a plant-chewer, spray a bad tasting substance on the leaves. Use Bitter Apple spray * (available at most pet stores) or hot pepper sauce. When your cat approaches a plant, use a squirt water bottle or a loud horn to scare him/her away. Keep your squirt bottle in easy reach so you can act quickly when kitty misbehaves. If you can't get the water bottle in time, jump up, hiss and clap your hands to get kitty away from the plant. | |
| * This is a purgative! | |
| "Cats have a natural desire to chew on plants. What plants are safe? Catnip or ordinary grass can be grown in flat trays for your cat's enjoyment. Plant several dishes and rotate them as one gets chewed down. Your cat can learn that your" plants are "off limits" while it is acceptable to chew on his/her special grass." | |
| Especially KITTENS have a natural instinct to stalk and then jump on anything that moves (ferns and other leaves, conspicuous flowers, berries and fruits like dangling pods etc.) and that catches their eye and then to nibble on anything they have 'caught' to taste whether it's edible. It is their PREY after all! Therefore do not allow, cats, and especially KITTENS, to touch plants that are NOT meant especially for their use or abuse, rather. Do not let them play outside without supervision and FORBID them to play with plants that may be dangerous! It is recommended to plant clumps of Catnip (Nepeta cataris) or different species of Catgrass which are abundantly offered for sale by any animal shop. This gives them the feeling that at least there are some things in the garden which are exclusively for them, which of course for CATS is very imporrrrtant! | |
| Of course it is better not to have any poisonous plants in your home -and in your garden -if the cats are allowed OUT- so here follows a list of poisonous plants. This list is followed by a list of poisonous or noxious substances (still under construction), and as homes without plants are rather sterile to some of us, that list is followed by a list of plants that are not toxic (as far as is known), which also is still under construction. | |
| Nota Bene: These lists are NOT exhaustive. The editor is NOT RESPONSIBLE AT ALL for the consequences of possible mistakes, omissions or more actually developed knowledge. The editor is not scientifically trained, and only compiled the list, because there seemed to be a need for it, and anything is better than nothing at all! He therefore does not accept any LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY at all! | |
| The information was collected from: | |
| * the December 1996 issue of "Felikat Magazine", | |
| * the site "Plants toxic to Cats" of Feline Future (Canada), | |
| * the sites , which are mentioned below. | |
| * "A Dictionary of Flowering Plants and Ferns" by J,C,Willis (7e Ed. Cambridge 1966) | |
| * "A Dictionary of Plant Names" by H.L. Gerth van Wijk (I. Haarlem 1909, II.. Den Haag 1916), | |
| * "fleur, Bloemen en planten van a tot z" (Publication of Amsterdam Boek, nrs. 1 to 30) | |
| * "Grote Winkler Prins Encyclopedie", in 20 vols., 7th Ed., 3rd print. Elsevier 1972 Amsterdam. | |
| * "Intoxicaties door Planten" by H.C.Kalsbeek and G.H.Veenendaal (Vakgroep Inwendige Ziekten/Pharmacologie of the Veterinary Faculty of the Utrecht University). | |
| * "Giftige Planten Gids" by M. De Cleene (Thieme, 1989 - ISBN: 90-5210-025-X geb.) | |
| The editor is very grateful to the authors for their contribution to the wellbeing of our cats! | |
| Furthermore we warmly thank: | |
| Mrs. Elsa Aarsen, editor-in-chief of "Felikat Magazine" | |
| Mr Adema of the Rijksherbarium of the Leiden University. | |
| Mrs. J.R.Kruijer of the Library of the Rijksherbarium for her joyful helpfulness with the checking of names of plants. | |
| Mr. Schoemaker of the Veterinary Faculty of the Utrecht University. | |
| Mrs. Trudy Wessel-van Putten of the Commission Health and Wellbeing of the Cat Fancy Association "Felikat". | |
| And all others who have so patiently and cordially cooperated at making these notes possible. Very special thanks go to Aad Hoogerstege, who was instrumental in getting all this on the Net, and to my son, Jeroen, who taught me how to cope with Excel. | |
| More about the subject can be found in the articles: | |
| "Kitty-safe Plants for Home and Garden" and "Plants to Avoid" in the June 1998 Issue of the "CAT FANCY" magazine, for a hardcopy of which by snailmail the editor would be very grateful.. | |
| More information can be found in the site: | |
| 1. <http://www.napcc.aspca.org/> of the ASPCA/National Animal Poison Control Center. | |
| More -specific- information can be found at the site: | |
| 2. <http://wellness.ucdavis.edu/safety info/poison prevention/take care with plants/toxicity of plants.html> | |
| As soon as more sites have been consulted, they will also be mentioned.. | |
| The 1st table mentions plants, that are BAD for CATS -and for other animals and humans- the 2nd table, which is still under construction but will be published before the Millennium, mentions other harmful substances.Counter Measures, only to be considered FIRST AID, are mentioned where known. ALWAYS go to the veterinarian as soon as you have applied the FIRST AID and preferably WHILE applying it!.The 3rd table, also still under construction, mentions plants that are SAFE for cats, as far as is known. | |
| Abbreviations used: | |
| Spp.:or spp.: species = all species of the plant mentioned; | |
| CONTENTS of the different Columns | |
| Column 1: contains the Botanical names in Latin. A list with the botanical names in alphabetical order is available upon request by eMail to the editor; | |
| Column 2: contains the Family names in Latin; | |
| Column 3: contains the Dutch names (as far as known, otherwise 3 "???" are given and you have to use the Botanical name as used). A list of Dutch names in alphabetical order is available upon request by eMail to the editor.; | |
| Column 4: contains the English names (as far as known, otherwise 3 "???" are given (1sdt file of the whole list) and you have to use the Botanical name as used) in alphabetical-lexicographical order. Here it's background is green. | |
| Column 5: contains the parts of the plant and the toxins they contain (as far as known). If no information is given, the editor has not been able to find it. | |
| Column 6: contains the Type and Degree of Toxicity (as far as known); if no information is mentioned, the plant was in one of the lisis consulted without further information. | |
# TYPE and DEGREE of TOXICITY is indicated with numbers, the meaning of which is explained below: |
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| 1 - These plants are not poisonous or there is no known record of toxicity. Exposure to these plants is not expected to cause any symptoms. As we feel that it is easier to have a different table for cat-friendly plants, this number will not appear in table 1. but in table 3. | |
| 2 - Oxalates:
The juice or sap of these plants contains microscopic
oxalate crystals. These are shaped like tiny needles.
Chewing these plants may result in pain and irritation of
the mouth, lips, and tongue. In severe cases swelling of
the throat may cause breathing difficulties. These plants
usually cause problems in older children with a full set
of teeth. 3 - Minor toxicity: Ingestion may cause some minor symptoms such as rash, vomiting or diarrhea. Ingestion of small amounts may not cause any symptoms at all. Minor toxicity: Ingestion may cause some minor symptoms such as rash, vomiting or diarrhea. Ingestion of small amounts may not cause any symptoms at all. |
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| 4 - Major toxicity: Ingestion of these plants, especially in large amounts, is expected to cause serious effects to major body organs such as the liver, heart or kidneys. If ingested call the poison center, your doctor or your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY for more advice! | |
| 5 - Dermatitis: Exposure to juice or sap from these plants or a puncture wound from the thorns may produce a skin rash or irritation. Skin wounds from some of these plants can be extremely painful causing large blisters and burning of the skin. | |
| 6 - Possibly toxic: Information on these plants is incomplete. Ingestion of small amounts would not be expected to cause problems. | |
| 7 - Animal toxicity: These plants are known to cause problems in animals | |
| Column 7 : contains Counter Measures as far as they’re known to the editor. They are indicated with numbers, the significance of which is given below. Do not forget that they are to be considered FIRST AID only. If you Cat, child, dog or other pet shows signs of having been poisoned, go to the doctor immediately, while applying the first aid, and take a sample of the offending plant or substance with you. Preferably also this table as it may be of help. | |
# COUNTER MEASURES are enumerated with numbers, the explanation of which is as follows: |
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| 1 - Do NOT make them VOMIT! | |
| 2 - Make them drink WATER (NOT milk). Pour it with a spoon in the pouches of their cheeks. | |
| 3 - Make them VOMIT! Give them table-salt into the mouth. If they don't vomit quickly enough, RUSH them to the veterinarian for an injection with an emetic. When they are unconscious or have cramps, NEVER make them vomit! | |
| 4 - Give them NORIT (tablets of active coal): 2 for a cat up to 10 for a (large) dog. Administer capsules or pills with water or make them swallow them. | |
| 5 - Give them coffee-cream or butter to prevent the forming of FOAM. | |
| 6 - Give them liquid paraffin (wax). Cats a few teaspoons - dogs 1 - 2 tablespoons. | |
| 7 - Take CARE they don't eat MORE of it. Only GREATER quantities are seriously TOXIC! | |
!!! !!! REMEMBER ALWAYS TO TELL YOUR VET. WHICH PLANT OR SUBSTANCE YOUR PET ATE OR DRANK. Take this TABLE with you. It MAY HELP him, or he may have more -welcome- information! |
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