As I sit here writing this newest Wellness For Life article, the sun is brilliantly shining, our family dogs are enjoying all the new smells of spring in the backyard, and our cats are relishing their naps in the warm sun. Yes, our menagerie seems to be in fine spirits. Even our houseplants seem to have recognized the change in seasons and have sent up new shoots and blooms.
I am betting you too have noticed the abundance of green sprouting from your lawns, flowerbeds and trees. Life is indeed bursting into bloom all around us. We have just celebrated Easter, and soon this will be followed by Mother’s Day – two holidays which are often bursting with bouquets of beautiful flowers. But why are we talking about flowers, you ask? You thought this article was about cats, right? Don’t worry, it is…
I am sure anyone who owns a cat (which allows you to live with them) knows – cats like to nibble plants. Maybe you’ve found bite marks on your houseplant leaves, the occasional pinched off or shredded leaf, or maybe an all-out demolition of whatever you thought looked pretty. The point is – not all plants are safe for cats.
For this article, I would like to highlight a campaign put forth by the Pet Poison Helpline in partnership with the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association called “No Lilies For Kitties” – which is put forth to increase awareness of lily poisoning to cat owners as we head into lily season.
“Why are the Easter holiday and Mother’s Day two of the most dangerous holidays for cats? The answer is simple—lily poisoning. Exposure to common lilies such as Easter lilies, tiger lilies and stargazer lilies sicken and kill thousands of cats annually. What’s even more dangerous is that less than 30% of cat owners realize these common and seemingly “benign” lilies are fatal to our feline friends.” – www.petpoisonhelpline.com
Please feel free to visit their site to learn more. To summarize their recommendations, it is important to know that lilies such as the Asiatic lily, Daylily, Easter lily, Japanese show lily, Rubrum lily, Stargazer lily, Tiger lily and Wood lily can cause kidney failure or even cause death when cats are exposed to any part of the plant, including the water the plant was in. Many of these plants are very common not only in bouquets, but also as springtime blooms in our backyard flower gardens. If your cats have access to the outdoors, it’s something to keep in mind when making sure your pet stays safe, happy and healthy.
What about my dog, you ask? Dogs don’t respond to these lilies the same way as cats do. If your dog should ingest these lilies, they might experience minor gastrointestinal (stomach) upset, but no kidney damage.
If you think that your cat may have ingested one of these plants, be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as possible, or if after hours, your local emergency clinic. Additionally, the number for Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) can help you assess the severity of the situation.
For more information on safe flowers, other lilies to be aware of or just general interest, please visit www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
Happy Spring to you and your pets!
Thanks for reading, be blessed, be well. – Dr. Karen Fuller, DVM, MS