Sun star plants may be toxic to cats.
Belonging to the family Asparagaceae, the sun star plant is endemic to the Cape Province in South Africa. The species is also known by other names, including yellow chincherinchee and star of Bethlehem. Sitting atop long stalks, the clusters of star-shaped flowers come in stunning shades of bright yellow and orange.
Both the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Pet Poison Helpline do not list sun star plants as being toxic or non-toxic to cats. On the other hand, a few websites such as Backyardville and Live to Plant state that it is poisonous to cats. The latter mentions glycosides that can cause shortness of breath after a cat eats the plant. As such, it is advisable to get your veterinarian’s consent before growing these flowers in your home or backyard.
What to do if your cat accidentally comes into contact with, chews, or eats sun star plants: Try to determine how much your cat ate and inform your veterinarian about it immediately. Monitor your pet by placing her in a safe, confined space. And make sure to remove any remaining plant material found on her fur, skin, mouth, and paws.
Observe her for signs of poisoning. These may range from respiratory to gastrointestinal complications. Salivation, vomiting, twitching and fitting, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, and shock or collapse are common signs. In addition, she may manifest skin inflammation or swelling, depression or coma, and changes in her drinking, urinating, and eating habits.
Bring a sample of the plant if you need to take your cat to the animal clinic. This will help them determine the toxic compounds found in the sun star plant. Similarly, your cat may be poisoned if there are fertilisers or pesticides applied on the plant or soil.
In summary: Sun star plants may be gorgeous to look at, but they’re not a plant you should take home if you have cats living at home. Instead, be a responsible cat owner by selecting these 10 feline-friendly plants. You can also review these helpful lists from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, and PetMD.
References:
Ornithogalum dubium – Wikipedia
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