Pothos Plants: Are Pothos Toxic to Cats?

Pothos are the plants that are famous for their attractive and hardiness. They are lavishly used to decorate the home with their greenery. But if you have pets in your home, You might think the query are pothos toxic to cats. You can have some household plants that keep your home safer for kitty but still, you need to be aware of all aspects.

These plants are easy to care for, fast-growing, and also exist in many varieties. You can grow many different varieties in your garden to enjoy its beauty and also enhance the appearance of your home garden. But you need to take care of such things as whether these plants are harmful to your pets or not, if yes then you should have to take precautions.

What Is A Pothos Plant?

They are basically native to Australia, China, and Southeast Asia, and they are highly considered indoor plants that are easy to grow and care for as well.  They produce thick heart-shaped leaves that come under the Climbing Vines category. Their leaves are also waxy and bumpy texture in nature. 

You can also find it by another name in the market that money plant. The Golden Pothos plant is the devil’s ivy. Their different varieties exist in the world and they are differentiated by the shape of their leaves or you can say that their leaves make them different from one another. 

When it comes to the marble queen, you will know that it has a Palette of light green and cream colors. It contains striking design leaves. Another pothos plant that is known as the money plant contains a yellow splash on the plant, which makes the plant unique among all. 

These plants also contain aerial roots which make them able to climb and drip other surfaces such as a wall and tree trunks as well. You will be glad to know that they can be grown in the garden and are ideal plants for homes and offices. You need to be aware of the fact that they are not pet-friendly so you need to take care of it.

Why are pothos toxic to cats?

As a botanical researcher, it comes to the studies that all the varieties of pothos are harmful for cats if they are ingested. Many people think about why are pothos toxic to cats. So there can be many reasons behind it. As the port was a plant that contains calcium oxalate crystals that can be responsible for irritation.

You need to know what kind of irritation it can cause, so those are burning on lips, tongue, and mouth excessive drooling vomiting, and difficulty in swallowing anything.

Harmful chemicals found in pothos plants can cause illness in cats. Their leaves may also become discolored by a plant disease known as Bacterial Leaf Spot. Keep the plant out of the reach of your cat and take care of any plant issues to ensure its health and safety.

Here, all you have to do is to be careful with cats because they used to hide their physical pain and discomfort as well. They don’t show anything so it becomes very difficult to find symptoms. But if you notice any kind of change in your pet’s behavior you should call a local veterinarian immediately so that they can feel good.

Toxin Does Pothos Contain

• These plants belong to the family of Araceae. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals such as peace lily, Epipremnum aureum, etc, that proved harmful and are toxins.
• When you examine the pothos plant under a microscope you will know that this contains small microscopic needle-like crystals. This can lead to irritation if it is ingested.
• When you talk about pothos leaves, they contain high concentrations.
• They look like herbivores that make others confused but it is not true.
• The leaves of the plant’s sap contain calcium oxalate
• This causes skin irritation on the breaking of the stem or leaves. 

Why Do Cats Eat Pothos?

This is a fact that cats are naturally carnivores, they eat greens like grass occasionally as a way to help digestion and supplement any vitamins and nutrients they are missing in their diet. So as a pet owner, you can find them eating greens. 

Many cat owner find their cats eating greens. Also, you know that pothos are indoor plants that can easily be grown in the home garden. So, this is unfortunate that these pothos prove harmful for your furry friend when they tend to eat them. You need to take care of all these matters to keep pothos at your home and keep your cat away from them as well.

Keep Cats Away From Pothos Plants

You can follow the following ways to keep your pet away from pothos plants:

• As you cats are curious creatures, they don’t fear warning and eat pothos plants.
• You have to keep them away otherwise the pothos will take only a few nibbles and the cat will feel sick.
• It is recommended to remove pothos from the home if you have a cat in your home.
• You can make boundaries to keep cats away from pothos.
• Also, place the pothos at high locations so that cats can’t approach them.

Common Medical Signs

You will find the following signs in your cats if they happen to eat pothos plants:

• They will start excessive drooling.
• They feel irritation and swelling in their eyes, mouth, tongue, and nose.
• Vomiting is the obvious sign.
• They can also get diarrhea.
• Their gastrointestinal tract can also get disturbed.
• They will have difficulty in breathing.
• In case the quantity of the pothos plants consumed is in large amounts they are used to build calcium oxalate crystals in the urine.

Common Behavioral Signs

You will find some behavioral signs in them as well:

• They start pawing at their face or throat.
• They start yelping, crying, and whining.
• They used to faint after eating pothos.
• Stress and yawning are common in them.
• They start doing fast, darting, and panicked movements.
• The cats become defensive.
• They will not let them touch.

Treatment For a Cat That Consumed Pothos

If somehow your cat happens to eat pothos, you can treat them by following the mentioned ways:

• You will have to decide the process of treatment if your cat consumes golden pothos.
• You need to provide it with IV fluid therapy.
• This treat will flush out the crystal from the cat’s body. 
• It will also help in preventing kidneys from being damaged.
• When you use gastric lavage this will help you clean the cat’s stomach.
• You can also feed the cats with dairy products such as yogurt or cheese that will help to feel better and ease the discomfort caused by calcium oxalate crystals.
• You can use Benadryl to slow down the swelling.
• You need to treat them as quickly as possible you can.
• Otherwise, it will become more severe if not done at the right time.
• If not done quickly there may be the possibility of giving them breathing support in case they go with respiratory distress.

Conclusion

Pothos are the plants that are famous for their attractive and hardiness. They are lavishly used to decorate the home with their greenery. But if you have pets in your home, You might think the query are pothos toxic to cats. You can have some household plants that keep your home safer for kitty but still, you need to be aware of all aspects.

These plants are easy to care for, fast-growing, and also exist in many varieties. You can grow many different varieties in your garden to enjoy its beauty and enhance your home garden’s appearance. But you need to take care of such things as whether these plants are harmful to your pets or not, if yes then you should have to take precautions.

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