Chrysanthemums, or mums, are popular flowers that bring colorful beauty to your garden or vase. However, they are toxic to cats. If your cat is interested in them, mums can cause harmful effects.
Eating parts of these plants may irritate your cat’s skin and lead to more serious issues. To ensure your pet’s safety, it’s best to keep mums out of their reach.
Are Mums Poisonous to Cats? The Answer
Mums are toxic to cats and can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation. To keep your cat safe, avoid having mums in your home or garden.
If exposed, contact a vet immediately for treatment. Consider using cat-friendly flowers, such as African violets and Boston ferns, as safer alternatives.
Why Are Mums Toxic to Cats?
Mums contain chemical compounds like sesquiterpene lactones and pyrethrin’s, which are toxic to cats. The compounds in the flower protect it from pests and are utilized in bug repellents and pesticides.
Cats are highly sensitive to pyrethrin’s, and exposure to or ingestion of these chemicals can lead to toxic effects. They may irritate the gastrointestinal tract and damage the nervous system, potentially causing seizures or tremors.
Sesquiterpene lactones can irritate the skin when inhaled directly from contact with flowers.
Are All Types of Mums Toxic to Cats?
Mums are from the Chrysanthemum genus and are part of the Asteraceae (Aster) Family. There are about 40 species of chrysanthemums, with over 100 varieties available from florists. These are commonly referred to as daisies, mums, or chrysanthemum pompons (or buttons).
While mums are beautiful flowers, it’s important to know that all varieties are harmful to cats. The precise dose of toxic to cats isn’t known; however, it’s best to avoid bringing mums into your home when you have cats.
If your cat is in danger, you must consult an animal veterinarian immediately to ensure that your cat remains in a safe environment.
Symptoms of Mum Plant Poisoning in Cats
If your cat has ingested Mum, symptoms of poisoning are typically observed within two hours and are usually mild. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to get your cat to a vet immediately:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drooling
- Balance issues
- Lack of coordination
- A loss of appetite
- Itching
- The skin may be red, swollen, or inflamed
- Lesions or bumps may develop when the cat’s skin comes into contact with the plant’s surface.
What To Do If Your Cat Eats a Mum
If you suspect your cat has eaten a mum, contact your veterinarian immediately, even if there are no visible signs of illness. Record the time and amount consumed, if possible.
Your doctor may suggest seeing them immediately or calling poison control companies such as the ASPCA Poison Control or Pet Poison Helpline. If your veterinary surgeon’s office is closed, reach out to an emergency veterinarian and contact Animal Poison Control for guidance.
Don’t wait for the symptoms of vomiting or drooling before you take action. If your cat’s face comes into contact with pyrethroids or mums, gently clean the area using a cat-safe shampoo. Letting the fur get sucked in can cause discomfort to the mouth or excessive drooling. It can also raise GI or neurologic risk.
Your physician may recommend oral or topical treatments to treat skin irritation and pyrethrin-related toxicity, since there is no cure. Assistive care, such as fluids and medicines for pain, inflammation, and stomach discomfort, can be helpful with neurological symptoms. They may also require anti-convulsive medication as well as sedatives for seizures and shaking.
Treatment of Mum Plant Poisoning in Cats
In minor cases of mum poisoning pets, the veterinarian can induce vomiting to eliminate the undigested toxic substances from the stomach, and activated charcoal can be employed to eliminate the remaining poisonous substances.
In general, intravenous fluid therapy is suggested to correct fluid imbalances, particularly when vomiting continues to be a problem. If required, antiemetic medication can help reduce vomiting, and antacids can help calm the stomach. Treatment is costly, and it’s important to seek immediate veterinary attention.
Recovery of Mum Plant Poisoning in Cats
The outlook when it comes to mild cases of Chrysanthemum poisoning among cats is typically excellent or good, but only when treated promptly and effectively. Cats who experience mild episodes of poisoning generally recover within 24 hours of consuming the poison, and extreme cases are very rare.
If your cat has an even more severe case of poisoning, your veterinarian will schedule follow-up visits regularly based on your cat’s signs. To avoid future dangers, it is crucial to reduce your cat’s exposure to poisonous plants such as Lilies, chrysanthemums, and sago palms.
Avoid bringing poisonous flowers into your home. Also, consider the confinement of your cat to ensure their safety.
How to Keep Your Cat Safe From Mums
The best method to shield your cat from mother cats is to keep them away from the mother cats. If your cat prefers staying indoors, you can place mums in pots for outdoor use or even in your garden. Just ensure you wash your hands thoroughly after handling them. If your cat spends time outdoors, you should not have mums on your property.
But, you should be conscious that your cat could discover flowers on the neighbor’s property. Also, make sure to use a cat-friendly product to safeguard the pet against parasites, since using products for dogs can result in toxicity issues even when you alter the dose.
If you are looking to display flowers and plants at home, consider plants that are safe for cats, such as Areca palma, African violet, Boston Fern, Bromeliad, Cast iron plant, Christmas cactus, Gerbera daisies, Hawthornia, Orchid, and Spider plant.
Safe Alternatives Cat-Friendly Flowers
If you’re hoping to fill up your house with blooms while keeping your cat secure, there are plenty of cat-friendly mums. Take a look at these cat-friendly plants:
- Areca palm
- African violet
- Boston Fern
- Bromeliad
- Cast iron plant
- Christmas Cactus
- Gerbera daisy
- Hawthoria
- Orchid
- Spider plant
These plants create a vivacious and stunning environment, but without risking your pet. Be sure to ensure that the plants you plant in your home aren’t causing dangers to your pet.
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