The cat ate the seedlings: a common spring trouble among gardeners. It is a pity for the efforts, but it is also alarming for a domestic bully – some types of greenery can harm him, writes the IZHLIFE portal.
Veterinarian Vladimir Gladkov said that it is impossible to completely drive a cat away from the habit of eating greens. If the animal tries to eat house flowers or plants, it may be lacking in vitamins or enzymes important for digestion, and its diet should be reconsidered. In addition, cats eat greens for physiological needs in order to clear the gastrointestinal tract of accumulated hair. And finally, the cat may thus try to attract the attention of the owners: this means that he lacks communication.
If you can’t solve the problem, you need to firmly remember which plants from those that may be in seedlings are dangerous for domestic cats. Firstly, it is the greenery of a tomato: the stems and leaves of plants. They contain solanine, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation, acute poisoning, nausea and abdominal pain in a pet. Eggplants also have solanine, so they can also lead to this effect.
Garlic and onions of any variety are truly poisonous to cats: bulbous plants contain sulfoxides. “Once in the body of cats, these substances begin to destroy red blood cells. This reaction can cause anemia. So if you grow onions, garlic or bulbous flowers for planting at home, keep them away from your furry friend, ”the veterinarian emphasized.
The avocado, which has become popular as a houseplant in recent years, contains persin. Moreover, it is found both in fruits and seeds, and in leaves. This substance in large quantities can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in especially severe cases of poisoning, it can harm the heart and even cause a myocardial infarction in the animal.
And finally, zucchini – in themselves they are not poisonous, but contact with leaves and seedlings can result in unpleasant skin dermatitis and mild food poisoning for the animal.
In addition, it should be borne in mind that a cat, like a person, may be allergic to any greens. If you notice heavy breathing in an animal, wheezing, it becomes sharply lethargic, meows plaintively, it has watery eyes – you should immediately contact a veterinarian. And do not forget to bring samples of eaten plants with you: this will help the doctor quickly determine the source of the allergic reaction and save the animal.
Source: Rosbalt
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
