Daisies are toxic to both dogs and cats. While the daisies that are yellow in the middle and have white petals should be kept away from your pets, Gerbera daisies (an entirely different species of plant) are safe.
Causes of Daisy Poisoning in Cats
The majority of the symptoms seen in an afflicted cat are caused by a few chemicals found in daisies. First, many plants release sesquiterpene, a strong irritant, to fend against predators. Sesquiterpene is the compound responsible for skin irritation, increased salivation, diarrhea, vomiting, and digestive tract irritation and bleeding. Toxins called pyrethrins are also found in daisies and can be particularly harmful to cats because of their high bloodstream absorption rate. Pyrethrins and neurotoxins both have similar effects on the nervous system (i e. causing neurons to fire involuntarily). This is the cause of the cats’ incoherence, and pyrethrins can even be fatal in large enough dosages if they cause respiratory problems or death.
Symptoms of Daisy Poisoning in Cats
Fortunately, daisy poisoning symptoms are fairly noticeable, allowing owners to promptly determine that their pet is ill and seek the necessary medical attention.
Vomiting
The cat will start vomiting a few hours after consuming the daisy flower in an effort to get rid of the toxins in the plant from its digestive system. While vomiting alone isn’t particularly harmful, owners should be aware that it can lead to dehydration and that providing water to the cat can help avoid complications from the illness.
Diarrhea
Loss of control over one’s bowel movements is the second sign of Daisy poisoning. The owners might observe that the excrement has a darker hue than usual. If diarrhea lasts for an extended period of time, it can become quite dangerous because the significant amount of fluid lost during the process can quickly lead to dehydration, especially when combined with vomiting. In turn, dehydration can pose a serious risk to a cat’s health.
Hemorrhaging
When a cat has severe daisy poisoning, it may start bleeding internally. This is mostly limited to the digestive tract and is identified by red blood streaks in the cat’s vomit and feces. When blood combines with the mucus and fluids already present in the large intestine, intestinal bleeding can also result in almost black feces. Even though bleeding on its own is typically not harmful, it can be a reliable sign of how serious a cat’s condition is.
Dermatitis
Cats may experience an allergic reaction to some of the chemicals in daisies, which typically shows up as a rash where the cat came into contact with the plant. Keep in mind that the animal will usually begin biting or scratching these areas to try to relieve the irritation.
Loss of Coordination
After consuming plant material from daisies, owners may observe that their cat loses the ability to walk normally or use its normal dexterity to manipulate objects. It might also have a somewhat reserved demeanor and show an uncommon level of indifference to other animals and its environment. Furthermore, some owners might detect a subtle variation in their cat’s voice.
Excessive Salivation
Daisy poisoning in cats can cause them to drool excessively or develop a foamy mouth. To replenish the fluids lost in the form of saliva, owners should give their cats water as soon as possible.
Recovery of Daisy Poisoning in Cats
Most cats who consume daisies and become poisoned will recover fairly quickly, with most symptoms going away in less than a week. However, owners should still be aware of their pets’ need for relaxation; as a result, they should feed their cats a relatively bland diet and limit their activity for a few days following the poisoning. In more severe cases, a cat might need to see the veterinarian again to track their progress and their owners might need to keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t experience any of the more dangerous side effects of pyrethrin ingestion.
Daisy Poisoning Average Cost
From 426 quotes ranging from $200 – $500
FAQ
Are daisies bad for cats?
What flower are cats allergic to?
Are white daisies poisonous?
Are cats allergic to gerbera daisies?