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Tulips (Tulipa) are among the first heralds of spring and spice up not only the still gray garden, but also the apartment as a cut flower. Especially the latter can become a problem for cat lovers. Are Tulips Poisonous to Cats?

In a nutshell

  • Tulips are considered highly toxic to cats
  • All parts of the plant are affected
  • Indoor cats and kittens are particularly at risk
  • Danger a little lower for free roamers

Toxic or not?

As soon as the cold season is over, flower bulbs are offered everywhere, e.g. also of tulips. They impress both in the bed and in the vase. But for cat lovers and especially their animals, these colorful heralds of spring are anything but good, because they are highly toxic.

You can't always rely on cats' instincts, because curiosity and the urge to play often prevail. Then they like to nibble on plants, unfortunately also on poisonous ones. This is partly due to a lack of alternatives of suitable green fodder. Animals that are kept exclusively indoors and young animals, so-called kittens, are particularly at risk. A pretty bouquet of tulips can quickly become the cause of poisoning. The situation is different for outdoor cats, they have the opportunity to eat grass and are less interested in tulips.

Poisonous parts of plants

All parts of the tulip are poisonous to cats, i.e. leaves, flowers, stems and bulbs, with bulbs and stems being said to be particularly toxic. The toxic effect is based on the toxin tulipanin. The toxins it contains can act both internally and externally. Oral ingestion is the most common cause of poisoning in cats.

Tip: Flower water also has a toxic effect that should not be underestimated. This can be the water in the flower vase in which the tulips are standing or excess irrigation water in the saucers of potted tulips.

symptoms of poisoning

If tulips were a victim of the cat, this does not necessarily result in poisoning. The best thing to do is take a closer look at the tulips. If parts of the plants are missing, it is relatively likely that the cat has eaten them. There is also an increased risk if your cat only chews on part of the plant.

  • the smallest amounts of plant material are enough for poisoning
  • even the mere contact with tulip pollen
  • Poison gets on the cat's fur
  • and by licking or brushing into the body
  • triggers strong reactions there
  • observe the animal closely if poisoning is suspected
  • to identify possible symptoms at an early stage

The first sign of poisoning is usually vomiting. Other symptoms of poisoning can include salivation, diarrhea, dilated pupils, rapid breathing and coordination problems (staggering). If the animal suffers from previous diseases of the liver or kidneys, the risk potential is much higher, since the toxins cannot be transported out of the body in the normal way.

Quick help

The first thing to do is to check the cat's mouth for plant remains and, if there are any, remove them as best you can. Throwing them away is not a good idea, it is best to take them in a small bag with you to the vet. He should then be visited as soon as possible. The faster the animal is presented to a doctor, the faster help can be given and the better the chances of recovery. Time is an important factor, especially when it comes to large amounts of consumed plant material, because the cat can suffer serious organ damage or, in the worst case, even die.

prevent poisoning

Poisoning from tulips cannot be completely prevented, but precautions can be taken, especially in the home, to keep the risks as low as possible. Of course, the easiest way would be to do without tulips and generally all plants that are poisonous to pets in the house and garden. But not everyone can or wants to do that. Then you should put such plants in a place that cats cannot reach, which is not easy for cats.

Tip: Petals falling unnoticed and, as already mentioned, the flower water in the sink also pose a great danger.

frequently asked Questions

Why do cats eat plants at all?

Eating grass is a natural need of these animals. The free roamers among them eat grass to get the hair swallowed while cleaning out of their bodies. They are then thrown out again and again. The grass practically acts as a natural emetic. The indoor cat does not have this option and makes do with indoor plants, she has no other choice.

Can indoor cats be offered an alternative?

To protect the cat and houseplants, it is advisable to offer her a pot of cat grass. You can buy it at a garden center or sow it yourself. Unfortunately, this does not appeal to every cat. Then you can try planting a piece of sod in a pot of soil and offering it to her. This is particularly good for cats that can use a balcony.

Is it advisable to make the cat vomit if poisoned?

No, absolutely not. When you vomit, the poison passes through the mucous membranes of the esophagus again, which means that it comes into contact with the toxic substances again and further aggravates the symptoms.

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Category:

Animals in the garden