Cat Health Collection

Is hoya toxic to cats?

Hoya (wax plant) is non-toxic to cats.

What is hoya?

• Family: Apocynaceae
• Botanical name: Hoya spp.
  
• Common names: Wax plant, Wax flower, Porcelain flower, Hindu rope plant
• Toxicity: Non-toxic to cats
• Toxic parts: None
• Severity: –
• Toxic principle: –

Hoya is a genus of 200-300 evergreen epiphyte vines native to Asia and Australia. Its common name Wax Plant is due to its thick waxy leaves. The fragrant porcelain-like flowers grow in star-shaped clusters known as an umbel.

Growing methods include as indoor plants in pots, outside the plant can climb up trellis or trees.

Common species

• Hoya carnosa
• Hoya Kerrii
• Hoya brevialata
• Hoya multiflora
• Hoya Australis

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Is Christmas cactus toxic to cats?

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is non-toxic to cats.

What is Christmas cactus?

• Origin: Brazil
  
• Botanical name: Schlumbergera bridgesii
• Common names: Christmas cactus, Holiday cactus, Crab cactus
• Toxicity: Non-toxic to cats

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Is string of pearls toxic to cats?

String of pearls (scientific name Curio rowleyanus, formerly known as 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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Is oxalis toxic to cats?

Oxalis is toxic to cats. The toxic principle is oxalic acid which is rapidly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and binds to systemic calcium causing blood calcium levels to drop suddenly (acute hypocalcemia) and calcium oxalate (CaOx) deposition in the renal tubules, leading to acute renal (kidney) failure.

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• Arthritis
• Declawing
• Cystitis
• Bladder stones
• Urinary tract infection
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Hyperthyroidism

Inappropriate urination occurs when a cat urinates outside the litter tray which may have a behavioural or medical cause. Medical causes can be further divided into pain, increased urine production, increased urgency to urinate and cognitive dysfunction.

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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 into human food if given the oppertunity 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. But, can cats eat raw chicken and what should you do if your cat eats some?

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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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