Valentine's Day is coming. You may be thinking of surprising your partner with a little something. Perhaps you're thinking of a nice plant or some pretty flowers—easy and reliable gifts. Well, we want you to know that there are a number of plants and flowers that are toxic to ARISTOCATS and that you'd better not have at home.
ARISTOCATS are curious by nature. They love to nibble or gnaw on things. And, in that sense, plants offer no resistance. On the contrary: their colors and aromas often irresistibly attract our kitties. Special attention must be paid to our baby ARISTOCATS, because they place no limits on their curiosity. Everything is new and, therefore, everything is yet to be discovered.
The toxicity of different plants or flowers varies depending on the part ingested. Some species are entirely toxic (leaves, flowers, roots/bulbs, seeds, pollen), while others pose a risk only in specific parts, such as their fruits. Depending on the toxic principle of each plant, we can find different types of disorders: digestive, neurological, cardiac, or dermatological and ocular.
Curiously, the plants that pose the greatest threat to our felines are very present in our lives. We find them in ornamental bouquets, as indoor plants, and also as bulbs for planting in gardens or on balcony planters.
The most harmful are lilies and daylilies, as they cause acute kidney failure in cats, 24 to 96 hours after ingestion. Exposure to any part of these plants endangers the lives of our ARISTOCATS. The symptoms they usually present are vomiting, lack of appetite, depression, as well as an increased need to drink and urinate. The mortality rate in cats that have ingested this plant is very high, and those who survive may suffer permanent kidney damage.
The most popular flowers within these families are tulips, lilies, daylilies, true lilies, and imperial crowns. Unfortunately, the only way to avoid their toxicity is not to have them at home. So this Valentine's Day, make sure they are not included in the bouquet, wreath, or ornamental basket you plan to give your partner.
Likewise, we must be very careful with aloe vera, hydrangeas, primroses, cyclamen, ivy, climbing lilies, azaleas, calla lilies, laurel, poinsettias, mistletoe, pothos, and philodendrons (two super popular houseplants). And finally, although they are not usually kept indoors but rather in gardens, be extremely careful with oleanders, which are 100% toxic and can cause bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden death.
Having said all this, it's not about stopping giving plants and flowers, or stopping brightening our homes with vegetation or floral arrangements. We simply need to choose other harmless species for our ARISTOCATS that are equally beautiful, such as orchids, petunias, roses, violas, African violets, fittonias, calendulas, and camellias.
Or if you prefer, you can opt for a different gift that your partner is sure to love. Especially if they are an ARISTOPETER. In ARISTOSHOP you will find a lot of ideas to surprise your partner for Valentine's Day. We hope you like them!