Do you have hydrangeas planted in your garden?Has your cat been frequently facing skin allergies or gastrointestinal issues? The culprit may be hydrangea plants.Belonging to the family, Hydrangeaceae, Hydrangea is a popular flowering plant that adorns many people’s gardens. In fact, some people like to dry their blue or pink flowers and keep them in vases inside for a charming effect. If you are a pet owner, however, then you may want to rethink bringing any version of this plant home. Why? Have you ever heard of hydrangea poisoning? If your dog or cat decides to eat any part of these plants, then they can get poisoned. Signs of hydrangea poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and more. Although rare, your pet can suffer from neurological symptoms like a coma. To be safe, don’t bring these plants home and keep your kitty safe!Read on to learn how hydrangea poisoning works. Cat owners can browse through similar articles like are mums poisonous to cats? And are orchids poisonous to cats?Hydrangeas Are Poisonous To CatsYes, they are. This is because every part of a hydrangea includes amygdalin, a chemical which upon entering your pet cat or dog’s body metabolize into cyanide.There are some plants that everyone likes to keep in their home. One such plant is a hydrangea. Its beautiful colorful flowers add charm to any space. The attractive color of the flowers is bound to pique the interest of your cats. Apart from cats, these plants are also considered poisonous for pets. Amygdalin is a chemical that is found in every part of a hydrangea plant from its flowers to its leaves. This chemical in its natural form is not poisonous. Only when it enters the body, it metabolizes into cyanide. This process depletes the oxygen supply to the body’s cells, resulting in a negative and fatal reaction. The maximum concentration of cyanogenic glycoside is found in the hydrangea’s flowers and leaves.As a result, when your pets eat the flowers or leaves of this plant, they face the risk of being poisoned. Common risks are skin irritation, gastrointestinal issues, and in worst-case scenarios, coma and limb weakness. When this happens, check with the veterinarian who will find the cause and accordingly, treat your pet. To avoid making a visit to a veterinarian in the first place, it is best to avoid bringing these plants into your home. This includes both live and dried varieties. No matter how good-looking they are. For your pet, it can be seen as something to nibble on when it is hungry. Although, a good amount of the plant needs to be consumed for the poison to start showing effects. Although, you already know how sensitive cats are to allergens. So, next time, when you visit the garden shop, give this plant a miss!Dried Hydrangeas Are Harmful To CatsA bouquet of dried hydrangeas can brighten up any corner of your home. Hence, many homes will have these beautiful plants. But this aesthetic display is still dangerous for your pet cat.Don’t think that having dried hydrangeas instead of a live plant makes it less risky for your pets. It is actually worse! Not only do they contain cyanogenic glycoside but these arrangements will also include other poisonous items like glue, drying substances, and more. So, if your pet consumes this version of the plant, then it may exhibit signs of being poisoned. Some common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, or depression. Even if the chances of poisoning are low, keep your home free of dried hydrangeas.Hydrangeas Are Poisonous To Your Cats In This AmountWondering how severe hydrangea poisoning can be? It can range from mild, digestive symptoms to life-threatening, neurological symptoms. Even a simple contact with the plant can trigger such symptoms in your pets.Hydrangeas are plants that everyone likes having in their garden because of their aesthetic appeal. The colorful flowers of the hydrangea look beautiful in any setting. But as a pet owner, be it of dogs and cats, you need to be wary of these plants, because every part of this plant including flowers, buds, and leaves is toxic for animals.Consumption of any part of these plants can trigger a variety of mild to severe symptoms in your pets. These include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, skin allergies, and in rare scenarios, seizures, and coma. Call the veterinarian when you spot these signs of hydrangea poisoning. Also, to save your pets from getting sick, remove any hydrangeas from your home and garden.Hydrangeas Leaves Are Toxic For Your CatsYes, they are! Every part, including the leaves of the hydrangea, is toxic for your cats. So, stop your pet from nibbling on its leaves.Hydrangea leaves contain the highest amount of cyanogenic concentrations like the plant’s flowers. This makes the leaves equally toxic for your pet. Even nibbling on a few leaves can lead to health issues for your cat. Some common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and even, depression. If your pet has one of these symptoms, then it might have consumed the leaves of this plant. Make sure to consult a veterinarian to identify the right cause and best treatment for your pet.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are hydrangeas poisonous to cats? Then why not take a look at are peace lilies toxic to cats, or why do dogs smile?
Do you have hydrangeas planted in your garden?
