Yes, philodendron plants are toxic to cats.
With 489 species, the Philodendron is a genus of flowering plants that falls under the family Araceae. It can grow on land or on the surface of another plant. Philodendrons are popular as ornamental houseplants due to their big, imposing foliage. Their leaves can grow in various sizes and shapes (oval, heart, and spear, to name a few) depending on the plant’s life stage.
Philodendron plants go by many names. Fiddle leaf philodendron, horsehead philodendron, giant philodendron, tree philodendron, and heart leaf vine are a few examples. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), philodendron plants are toxic to cats as well as dogs. Your pet cat can experience mild to moderate poisoning when exposed to them. These include split leaf, heartleaf, horsehead, and variegated philodendron.
What to do if your cat accidentally comes into contact with, chews, or eats philodendron plants: Insoluble calcium oxalates are the main cause of toxicity in pets. These crystals are released if your kitty decides to chew on the trunk or bite its leaves. As a result, your cat can experience gastrointestinal irritation. This can manifest as intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips, hypersalivation, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, and decrease in appetite. Thankfully, it should not cause swelling of the airway passage.
If you spot your cat coming into contact with a philodendron plant, contact your veterinarian immediately. Remove any plant material found on your cat’s fur, skin, or mouth. More importantly, monitor her in a confined space over the next 24 hours.
Also, observe her for other symptoms of poisoning. These may or may not include diarrhea, twitching and fitting, and shock or collapse. Depending on which part of her body got exposed, she may also have skin inflammation or swelling. Changes in her drinking and urinating should also be monitored.
In summary: Philodendron plants are not the ideal houseplants for feline owners. Instead of growing potentially dangerous plants in your home, why not grow edible herbs instead? Check out our cat food category for more ideas.
References:
Philodendron – Pet Poison Helpline
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List – Cats
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