Are lilies toxic to cats?

Lilies (Lilium spp.) are toxic to cats. The unknown toxic principle causes acute kidney failure in cats.

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At a glance

• Swiss cheese plant
• Chinese evergreen
• Fiddle leaf fig
• Philodendron
• Devil’s ivy
• Ivy
• Snake plant
• Rubber plant
• String of pearls
• Pothos

Indoor plants have seen a huge resurgence in popularity over the past few years, and it is easy to understand why. They are great for apartments with no gardens and add interest to the home. But, not all plants are safe around cats, and some can even be deadly.

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What is plasma cell pododermatitis?

Also known as pillow foot, feline plasma cell pododermatitis (FPP) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterised by inflammation of the paw due to infiltration of plasma cells (a type of white blood cell known as a plasmacyte which secretes antibodies in response to infection).

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Is string of pearls toxic to cats?

String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus, previously Senecio rowleyanus) is toxic to cats. The toxic principles are an irritant sap and pyrrolizidine alkaloids which inhibit cell division primarily in the liver which can ultimately lead to liver failure if large quantities are consumed. Livestock are at greatest risk.

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Lysol products which contain benzalkonium chloride are toxic to cats. Exposure causes corrosion and irritation to the skin and mucosa.

Poisoning typically occurs when the cat comes into contact with surfaces which have been recently disinfected, the cat ingests the product during grooming or if they lick a surface with disinfectant residue. Exposure to concentrated or incorrectly diluted solutions can induce a more severe clinical response.

What is Lysol?

Lysol is a popular disinfectant (chemical agents designed to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces). The active ingredient in many Lysol products is benzalkonium chloride (BAC), a wide-spectrum cationic detergent and a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC). Benzalkonium is present in many household products including cleaners, mould removers and disinfectants.

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Cats can and will get into human food if given the opportunity which can have serious consequences if they eat the wrong food. Raw chicken left out to defrost is an appealing snack to most cats while humans naturally baulk at the idea.

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The cat’s paws are made up of the soft paw pads which act as a cushion for the load-bearing front and hind limbs, the toes (or digits) and claws which are made of a hard protein called keratin with the quick located inside the claw, that is made up of nerves and blood vessels.

Cats are quadrupeds and digitigrade which means they have four feet and walk on their toes without the heel touching the ground. When walking, they directly register by placing the rear foot directly in the spot the forefoot was.

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