They are very hardy, and whilst some varieties are grown deliberately in flower beds to enhance the look of the garden, most daisies will appear of their own volition in lawns, meadows and forest floors. Despite their commonality, however, daisies can be quite toxic to a variety of animals, including cats.
Are Daisies Safe for Cats?
Daisies are a chrysanthemum species, and their primary toxins of lactones, pyrethrins, and sesquiterpene are found throughout the plant. Lactones and pyrethrins affect a cats nervous system, and sesquiterpene causes skin irritation and gastrointestinal issues.
Lauren Cline, DVM, of Queen City Animal Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., says one or two blossoms probably wont be a big deal because daisies arent as toxic to cats as some other flowers. But “these flowers can still trigger gastrointestinal issues, like vomiting, diarrhea, and hypersalivation,” she adds. Hypersalivation, or excessive drooling, is an automatic reaction cats have to rid themselves of something that tastes bad. Signs like these appear quickly—usually within 30 minutes or so.
If you notice more severe poisoning symptoms, such as a lack of coordination or bloody stool, its possible your cat ate too many daisies. If you know your cat munched on these blooms, take them to the veterinarian right away.
Another reason you shouldnt let your cat eat daisies: Felines are obligate carnivores, which means they get all the nutrients they require from animal protein. Thus, they dont need any plant matter for sustenance at all.
What Are Daisies?
The English daisy belongs to the Asteraceae family. This flower’s variations feature white, pink, or red petals with yellow centers. English daisies are either embraced as the first signs of spring or viewed as pests, depending on where you live. They can quickly take over a lawn because they are very hardy, especially in milder climates.
In actuality, daisies are nutrient-dense and have certain health advantages for humans. Parts of wild daisies are commonly used in medicinal tea. Drinking wild daisy tea can help people with the symptoms of a variety of illnesses, including:
- Coughs
- Bronchitis
- Liver and kidney disorders
- Inflammation
Additionally, wild daisies may have some healing qualities and can be applied to minor cuts and skin conditions.
Flower Species That Look Like Daisies
Many people believe that any flower with a yellow center is a daisy, since they all share the same parts. However, it’s not that simple.
The Asteraceae family, which includes over 20,000 distinct species of flowers, herbs, shrubs, and trees, is the scientific name for the daisy family. The following are typical plants that belong to the Asteraceae family:
- Artichoke
- Aster
- Chamomile
- Chicory
- Chrysanthemum
- Coneflower
- Dahlia
- Dandelion
- Goldenrod
- Lettuce
- Sage
- Sunflower
- Tarragon
- Thistle
- Zinnia
As you can see, generalizations about the daisy family are impossible due to the great diversity of plant species. While some varieties of daisies are safe for cats to handle, others are poisonous.
For instance, chrysanthemums are poisonous to cats due to the irritants lactones and pyrethrins they contain.
FAQ
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