Alice White
Whether yellow, white, red, or orange: Chrysanthemums captivate with their colorful blossoms, especially in autumn. The plant is used outdoors as a garden or balcony plant as well as a cut flower for the vase. But like many ornamental plants, the chrysanthemum is dangerous for cats because it contains toxins.
Chrysanthemums and Cats
- Chrysanthemum leaves and flowers contain pyrethrins, which are toxic to cats.
- Poisoning can occur when consuming the plant.
- It is best to keep your cat away from the chrysanthemum and see a veterinarian if you notice any symptoms.
Are Chrysanthemums Poisonous to Cats?
Basically, chrysanthemums are poisonous to cats. However, there are hundreds of different types of chrysanthemums, some of which contain more and some less toxic substances. The toxins are so-called pyrethrins. The poisonous pyrethrum is contained both in the leaves and in the flowers of the plant and can lead to light or severe poisoning.
What are the Symptoms of Chrysanthemum Poisoning?
If the cat eats the flowers or leaves of the chrysanthemum, symptoms of poisoning can occur due to the ingestion of the poisonous pyrethrum. Typical symptoms are:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea;
- Irritation of the mucous membranes;
- Tremors or convulsions;
- Drowsiness;
- Visual disturbances up to blindness;
- In severe cases: liver and kidney damage.
How Dangerous the Poison of the Chrysanthemum is for Cats?
Chrysanthemum poisoning is usually not fatal to cats.
If the cat only nibbles on the plant for a short time, the result is usually only a slight poisoning with drowsiness and irritated mucous membranes. However, if the cat ingests larger amounts of the toxin, for example by regularly eating parts of the plant, the poisoning can have serious consequences. In severe cases, the poison of the chrysanthemum causes blindness or liver and kidney failure in cats.
Cat Has Eaten Chrysanthemum – What to Do?
To prevent poisoning in your cat, you should keep your curious house tiger away from all chrysanthemums as a precaution. Avoid cut flowers that are accessible to the cat and make sure that your cat does not nibble on the plant in the garden. If the chrysanthemum is poisoned, watch the animal carefully and call the veterinarian if any behavioral problems or symptoms of poisoning occur.
