Well, tulips certainly add beauty to gardens or homes, mostly during spring. If there are any cats in your home, feeding on tulip petals or leaves may raise questions as to how unsafe they are for your kitty. In this article, you’ll find the answers to those questions and everything you should know about tulips and cats! Let’s jump in!
Are Tulips Toxic to Cats?
Very short answer: tulips are poisonous to cats. The ASPCA notes that tulipalin A and B compounds found in tulips are toxic to cats. The toxins exist in all parts of the plant, although they are chiefly found in the bulb. If a cat eats any part of a tulip, it can incur several health issues.
Why Are Tulips Dangerous for Cats?
Tulips are toxic, and when cats get into them, they can become sick to certain degrees; hence, the statements below state why they’re dangerous.
Tulipalin A and B:
These irritate the cat’s mouth, stomach, and digestive tract.
The Bulb:
The bulb of the tulip contains the most poisons and if your cat digs it up and eats it, it might lead to serious symptoms.
Chemicals:
Store-bought or florist tulips may have pesticides or preservatives on them that could also be a source of poison for your cat.
Symptoms of Tulip Poisoning in Cats
Should clinical signs of intoxication with tulip appear, you should monitor for the following conditions:
excessive drooling, which signals irritation of the mouth; vomiting, which may be an act of getting rid of the toxins; diarrhea as another common symptom;
lethargy, meaning that your cat may get unusually tired or weak; loss of appetite, whereby your pet may refuse to eat; and if the case is serious, difficulty in breathing. If any of these symptoms appear, do contact your veterinarian.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Tulips
In the event that your cat is found chewing on tulips, here is what to do:
First, remove the tulips from their reach to avoid further chewing.
Then you do some checks on them for some signs therein:
if drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
After that, contact your vet on the incident:
tell your vet that there is an accident; some may be in doubt if you will bring the animal for examination.
Give the info to the vet as in how much and what part of the tulip has been eaten (petal, leaf, bulb).
How to Keep Your Cat Safe Around Tulips
When you love tulips but want to keep your cat safe, do the following: keep tulips out of reach, choose cat-friendly plants, avoid treated tulips, supervise your cat, and use deterrents.
Cat-Safe Alternatives to Tulips
If you’re in the market for pet-friendly flowers to bring home, look for these: Roses (with a minimum of thorns and chemicals); generally safe for cats. Do watch out for the thorns and what they have been treated with.
Only a few orchids, those considered “old beautiful,” are safe for your cats. Sunflowers: bright and cheery, and non-toxic to cats.
Colorful snapdragons are cat-friendly. African violets: a safe and appealing choice for a house with cats.
Do remember to check the ASPCA’s non-toxic list for plants before bringing in any fresh flowers to your home.
What Flowers Are Toxic to Cats?
Most flowers poisonous to cats include—while tulips can be one of them—lilies, which are highly toxic and can cause kidney failure; daffodils, which can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling; azaleas, which can result in vomiting or diarrhea and sometimes even coma; chrysanthemums, which can lead to drooling and vomiting and diarrhea; and hyacinths:
Although they are in a different family group than tulips, they possess toxins that may endanger cats causing similar problems. If you are ever unsure of a certain flower, it is prudent to look it up or contact your veterinarian.
When to Call the Vet
If you suspect that your cat has eaten some toxic plants, or if you notice signs of illness due to chewing on tulips, it’s time to contact your veterinarian immediately. Any number of situations will benefit mightily from professional assistance: Your cat is either vomiting or has a loose stool. Your cat is sluggish or not itself. You observe difficulty in breathing or swallowing. Your cat has eaten a large quantity of the plant or bulb. Better to be safe than sorry when dealing with a cat’s health.
Final Thoughts
Though stunners, tulips are dangerous to cats, hence they ought to be kept out of their reach. While they look nice, the flowers can turn out to be very dangerous for your pet. This guide lists useful tips to enjoy tulips, while keeping your cat safe. If ever you are worried about your cat’s well-being, contact your vet. The healthier and happier your cat, the happier your home!
