As you begin planning your autumnal front porch display, you may wonder are chrysanthemums toxic to cats? Cats are very tactile and curious creatures who must investigate everything for themselves, either through touch or taste. If your kitty is an outdoor cat, or you have a chrysanthemum inside where he can get to it, you should take precautions to keep kitty safe.
Chrysanthemums are common flowering bushes. They have lovely flowers in autumn hues and are common gift plants at florist shops. Mums are members of the daisy family and have the characteristic style of blooms for which the group is known. Many gardeners plant their potted mums outside with some success and there are also hardier, outdoor species.
Over time the plants will become large bushes that are cut back in late winter to make way for the emergence of new stems and foliage. By fall, the plants are adorned with the cheery flowers. An outdoor cat will find the foliage and flowers very interesting.
Why Are Mums Toxic To Cats?
Chrysanthemum compounds have been extensively studied. One compound that makes mums toxic to cats is pyrethrin, and it is part of many organic insecticides. It is dangerous for aquatic life and especially dangerous to felines. This compound can cause serious neurological and gastrointestinal issues.
Another chemical found in mums is Sesquiterpene lactones. The chemical is responsible for skin and stomach problems. Finally, the essential oils which most plants have can cause various oral irritations and drooling.
It’s not only cats, but also dogs and horses who may get into distress after grazing on chrysanthemums. Unfortunately, cats are known plant snackers. They will taste many types of plant just because they are curious but also in search of something to help with hairballs. If the cat ingests some of the plant’s sap, there could be some serious physical symptoms.
Signs Of Poisoning In Cats
If you suspect kitty has been munching on your indoor mums, you may notice some symptoms which may be mild but can become serious. It’s always important to know our pets well so we can notice quickly when they are off or not feeling well. In a cat there are some specific signs to look out for if mum toxicity is suspected:
- Drooling
- Lack of coordination
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Skin irritation
Determining if the cause is due to mum poisoning or another plant is nearly impossible. But the clues are there if a cat and chrysanthemum are in the same area. Your vet can also perform certain tests to rule out other potential health conditions which have similar symptoms.
Are All Mums Poisonous To Cats?
There are many varieties of chrysanthemum. They are classed by their flowers. There are single, double, spider, pompon, thistle, anemone, and incurved, just to name the most popular. There are also both florist and garden varieties. Garden species are hardier, larger, and perennial. Florist mums are bred to be compact and are not as hardy.
Are Chrysanthemums poisonous to cats in all classes? Unfortunately, any variety of mum is toxic to our feline friends. The reaction may vary from cat to cat, but serious illness can result in some instances.
What To Do If Your Cat Eats Chrysanthemums
If the animal has contact dermatitis, the irritation may resolve on its own. However, cats clean themselves frequently so it is a good idea to wash the area with warm water so kitty can’t ingest further sap.
If the cat is vomiting or has diarrhea, you should call your vet. In most cases, this will also resolve itself but you don’t want to take any chances. So check with your vet immediately if you suspect a mum encounter.
If the cat is lethargic, uninterested in food or you, and especially if a seizure occurs, take the animal immediately for medical care. The vet may perform blood tests to determine the level of toxins in the cats.
If it is severe, the doctor may induce vomiting in an effort to get the poison out of the animal. After any further toxins have been removed the cat will need supportive care. This may involve IV fluids and certain medications to control symptoms.
You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control's 24-hour emergency poison hotline at (888) 426-4435. Learn more about what plants are dangerous to animals with the ASPCA's Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List.
How To Prevent Problems
The most obvious way to avoid problems is to remove the plant. But if you have an outdoor cat and there is already a large bush, this could be difficult. You can cut it down or use certain sprays to keep the cat away from the plant. Spray the plant with cinnamon or cayenne pepper mixed into water to repel the kitty. You might also make a cage around the plant with chicken wire or similar material to keep the cat from accessing the foliage.
During the fall, keep the cat indoors. In the home interior, you can keep cut mums out of the reach of cats. A chrysanthemum plant should be in a room where the cat has no access. You can also spray interior plants with cinnamon or cayenne. If your cat tends to browse your houseplants, use the water spray training method to enforce better behaviors. This won’t hurt the cat but the kitty won’t like being sprayed with water. Provide alternative cat safe plant options like cat grass that the cat can safely eat. Find organic cat grass seed at Chewy to give kitty a tasty and safe treat.
