I don't and won't use any sort of chemicals in the garden or greenhouse and I won't have lillies in the garden either. I would love some foxgloves though so I think they will go in the back of the border next year once my kitten is older and wiser; the dog and older cat won't bother with them and the kids are old enough to stay away when told. Thanks everyone
I don't and won't use any sort of chemicals in the garden or greenhouse and I won't have lillies in the garden either. I would love some foxgloves though so I think they will go in the back of the border next year once my kitten is older and wiser; the dog and older cat won't bother with them and the kids are old enough to stay away when told. Thanks everyone
Good move, I posted what I did to demonstrate that the notion 'cats know what is good for them' is simply not supported by the number of poisoning cases each year.
I've worked with over 30 vets, none of them would have agreed with views expressed here that cats instinctively know to avoid poisonous plants.
They don't, it is just anecdotal observation here by people who have not seen their cat poisoned... ...yet.
The truth is cats can be attracted to and ingest numerous plants and substances that are highly toxic to them. Sad, but true.
If in any doubt, how come so many plants and chemicals are known to be toxic to cats? If they never ingested them, who would know.
I think you’ve taken it all too literally. You may have a point, but now you’re sounding like an hysterical banshee. If it is all so bad, I’m sure those who can would have outlawed it all years ago.
All I was doing was reporting back, as promised, what my neighbour who is a vet said to me. Practising for over 20 years, the only incidence of poisoning of cats by plants that she has witnessed is lily pollen poisoning.
@BenDover I'm not sure what your concept of 'hysterical' is. I rather thought OP might care about the welfare of their cat, rather than anecdotal opinion.
It's not like a cat will go and drink antifreeze. More probably, it could get on its coat and it could lick it off during the cleaning routine. The same goes for lily pollen or poisonous seeds.
A cat won't go and eat a ton of poisonous leaves. My cat "eats" some but doesn't really ingest them, it's more like she plays with them (like untangling my clematis). I just assume she won't eat enough to get seriously ill. She obviously doesn't know what's good for her - she would go and eat my brownies, breakfast cereals, fruit... basically whatever she sees me to eat. Crazy little thing. But interestingly enough, she completely ignores the really poisonous plants.
Obviously, there are cats that get poisoned. Out of hundreds of thousands of cats, there will be some. It's just about seeing the probability realistically.
It's not like a cat will go and drink antifreeze. More probably, it could get on its coat and it could lick it off during the cleaning routine. The same goes for lily pollen or poisonous seeds.
A cat won't go and eat a ton of poisonous leaves. My cat "eats" some but doesn't really ingest them, it's more like she plays with them (like untangling my clematis). I just assume she won't eat enough to get seriously ill. She obviously doesn't know what's good for her - she would go and eat my brownies, breakfast cereals, fruit... basically whatever she sees me to eat. Crazy little thing. But interestingly enough, she completely ignores the really poisonous plants.
Obviously, there are cats that get poisoned. Out of hundreds of thousands of cats, there will be some. It's just about seeing the probability realistically.
Unfortunately cats are attracted to antifreeze, they like the smell and once they start, they can't stop drinking it because they love what is to them a sweet taste.
We are all connected to the internet, Google it. Common, happens every single day.
Many cats will become fascinated by a leaf when playing, bat it a few times, then eat it.
Happens every single day.
It's more a case of millions of cats and thousands poisoned each year in the UK.
@BenDover I'm not sure what your concept of 'hysterical' is. I rather thought OP might care about the welfare of their cat, rather than anecdotal opinion.
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I've worked with over 30 vets, none of them would have agreed with views expressed here that cats instinctively know to avoid poisonous plants.
They don't, it is just anecdotal observation here by people who have not seen their cat poisoned... ...yet.
The truth is cats can be attracted to and ingest numerous plants and substances that are highly toxic to them. Sad, but true.
If in any doubt, how come so many plants and chemicals are known to be toxic to cats? If they never ingested them, who would know.
We are all connected to the internet, Google it. Common, happens every single day.
Many cats will become fascinated by a leaf when playing, bat it a few times, then eat it.
Happens every single day.
It's more a case of millions of cats and thousands poisoned each year in the UK.
It's amazing how low public awareness of it is.