Are Peonies poisonous to cats? It is one of the common questions between cat owners and that because you can find Peonies almost everywhere, especially our homes.
As beautiful as they might appear, Peonies tend to react differently when eaten, and today we are going to discuss all that about Peonies and cats.
Therefore, to reach a proper spot of understanding, today’s question, among other important questions, should be asked and answered.
What Are Peonies Plants
Peonies are amongst the most common garden plants in warm regions. Herbaceous peonies are also sold as cut flowers on a wide range, although regularly only available in late spring and early summer. Peonies are actually of 3 types, Herbaceous (bush), Itoh (intersectional), and Tree.
Why Are Peonies Poisonous To Cats?
Phytochemical studies have indicated that Paeonia plants contain many bioactive components, including monoterpenes, flavonoids, phenols, and tannins, which do not tend to give in good results when eaten by cats.
Also, Peonies plants contain a toxin that is called paeonol. And according to The Pet Poison Helpline website, they indicate that the toxicity level of this toxin “paeonol” is usually mild. They also say that the toxins are commonly concentrated in the Peonies plant’s wooden stalks.
However, the chances your cat will get a paeonol poisoning is slim, and that’s because cats do not usually eat wooden garden plants.
So the quick answer to today’s question “are Peonies poisonous to cats?” It is YES.
Cat’s Curiosity Is The #1 Cause!
Cats aren’t really like many other animals. Their fondness, affectionate, and cuteness what we are looking for as cat owners and love the most. It is indeed found in other animals such as dogs, but it is still way different for cats, and only cat owners understand that!
On the other hand, their curiosity is unquestionably dominant, which always puts cats into trouble inside and outside our homes.
Cats tend to love interacting and exploring anything new to them or unusual objects around them, increasing the risks of getting into troubles such as Peonies poisoning.
Symptoms Of Peonies Poisoning
Answering the question are Peonies poisonous to cats is not enough in today’s article, and that’s because, as a cat owner, you must know all the symptoms of Peonies’ poisoning and how to deal with such cases.
Cats are typically different in nature, and their differentiation results in a wide range of symptoms of Peonies poisoning, some cats may show severe complications while others show mild symptoms.
But, if your cat experiences any of the following symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately rather than asking yourself questions such as “are Peonies poisonous to cats?”
And that’s because you can’t determine yourself if the poisoning is severe or mild. The following are common symptoms of Peonies poisoning:
- Change in behavior
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting blood
- Coughing
- Change in appetite
- Pale mucous membranes
After knowing all these symptoms and after you got your answer regarding today’s question, you might be wondering what you should do if your cat already shows these symptoms.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Already Shows These Symptoms?
If your cat is suspected or proved to be poisoned by Peonies, you should definitely call your veterinarian or local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.
It would also be great to provide them with more information regarding the incident like the amount you believe your cat digested, the type of the plant your cat ate, and the symptoms you noticed.
Also, if you can take a sample of the Peonies your cat ate, it would be a great help for your vet to manage the case efficiently. Another important note you must be aware of is that “Do Not Force Vomiting!!” as it will cause more harm than good.
“Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause the most inconvenience.” –Pam Brown
What If ِ Your Veterinarian Isn’t Reachable?
If, for any reason, your veterinarian isn’t reachable as you are living in an area that there is no veterinarian nearby, or it is impossible to reach them quickly, you could take several measurements to minimize the risks of the poisoning for your cat.
The first crucial thing is to get your cat away from the plant as quickly as possible. Also, don’t panic if that happens because mostly your cat didn’t ingest the poison altogether. Thus, if quick action is done, it’s likely that the risk could be avoided.
Then, with any piece of paper or tissues nearby, clean around your cat’s mouth as much as possible. Even if your cat ate some Peonies, there is a pretty good chance that your cat didn’t eat enough that may result in Peonies poisoning.
An important reminder here is never to induce vomiting. If all the steps are made with efficiency, it will reduce the risks of showing serious complications, which gives you more time to reach your veterinarian for proper management.
However, these aren’t enough to be considered a cure, and it’s always imperative to call your veterinarian as these steps only to buy you pay some time to reach your vet.
It’s also necessary to take a sample of the plant with you “if it is possible” because Peonies might be present in different types, resulting in various potential issues.
Poisonous Plants That Will Harm Your Cat!
While Peonies are one of the most common toxic plants out there, there still are various plants that your cat should be away from as they contain toxic components.
Whether you keep Peonies in your house or anywhere near your cat, you must keep in mind that there are other plants you must be aware of as a cat owner.
Before asking questions such as are Peonies poisonous to cats, you must first ask yourself about other plants that may harm your cat. The following are some toxic plants for your cat:
- Lilies
- Amaryllis
- Daffodils
- Tulips
- Chrysanthemums
- Hyacinths
- Iris and gladioli
- Cyclamen
- Widow’s thrill
- Foxglove
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Plants That Are Safe For Your Cat!
Indeed there is a vast range of plants that contain toxic substances to your cat out there. However, some plants are both beautiful and safe.
If you love having beautiful plants in your house, you can find such adorable plants without having to worry about toxicity in the following list:
- Christmas Cactus
- Boston Fern
- Blue Echeveria
- African Violet
- Baby Rubber Plant
- Baby’s Tears
- Swedish Ivy
How to Ensure A Safer Place For Your Cat?
Poisoning cases in cats and pets often occurs because pet owners aren’t aware of plants that are poisonous to their pets. Keeping yourself informed with potential risks to your pet or cat is essential even before adopting a cat.
Therefore, as a prevention process, you must inform yourself with familiar things you might have inside or outside your house and make sure to check their safety to your cat’s safety.
Also, it is really a fantastic way to keep an eye on your cat while playing and roaming around as they are so curious to check everything.
Finally, I hope you found this article useful and informative enough to answer the question, are Peonies poisonous to cats.
Let me know your answer down below. Do you have more information about Peonies and cats?
Also, If you have any other questions or different opinions about it, leave a comment below.
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