The leaves and flowers of Lilies are poisonous

Poisonous plants for cats
Our feline friends are inquisitive creatures and can’t resist investigating the world around them —whether lively young kittens or more mature cats. And many a mog will enjoy chewing on grass and other tempting, tender plants that are to hand. Tragically — although cats are usually careful about what they eat — boredom, curiosity or just accidentally ingesting the wrong bit of vegetation can have dire consequences…

Beware lilies for felines
Lilies are a big no-no for feline-friendly homes and gardens. Just one lily leaf, if eaten, can kill your cat — but any part of the plant is dangerous, including the pollen and flower. Simply brushing by the plant, then grooming the pollen off his coat, can prove lethal to a cat.

Take care to avoid the Easter Lily (Lilium Longiflorum), the Tiger Lily (Lilium Tigrinum), the Rubrum Lily (Lilium Speciosum), the Stargazer Lily (Lilium Orientalis), the Japanese Show Lily (Lilium Lancifolium), Asiatic Lilies and species of the Day Lily (Hemerocalis). However, it is wise to be cautious with all types of lily if you’re a cat owner.

According to the RSPCA, the first symptoms likely to occur after your cat has ingested lily are depression, lack of appetite and sometimes vomiting. If untreated, he will quickly go downhill, becoming dehydrated, and suffering from diarrhoea, breathing difficulties and bad breath. Acute renal failure is the likely eventual result — if he doesn’t receive medical treatment within hours, he will probably die.

If you think your cat has ingested any part of a lily, take him to your vet as soon as possible. He may well have to go on dialysis to improve his liver function.

Knowledge is power
The Veterinary Poisons Information Service warn that ingesting azalea, oleander, sago palm or yew plant material can be fatal for pets.

Lilies aside, cat owners should also be wary of cyclamen, poinsettia, amaryllis, holly, ivy, mistletoe, daffodils and foxgloves, to name a few. Laburnum, some berries and toadstools can also occasionally cause problems. For a comprehensive list of  plants that are potentially poisonous or harmful to cats when eaten, visit the Feline Advisory Bureau website, www.fabcats.org

Take the time to go around your home and garden and examine thoroughly just which plants you have growing there. List both the plant’s common and Latin names, as this may help your vet if he suspects your cat has been poisoned. If you’re planning on enclosing your garden or building an outdoor run for your cat this is important — even if your cat hasn’t shown much interest in certain shrubs, trees and plants before, they may come under closer feline scrutiny if he’s shut in with them.

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