Are Pussy Willows Toxic To Cats? Here’s What You Need To Know
Pussy willows have fuzzy catkins that grow during spring. If you have this on your property, you’re probably wondering, are pussy willows toxic to cats?
There are a number of plant species that are dangerous for felines. And cats being adventurous doesn’t help in this case.
If planning to grow pussy willows or already have one on your property, it’s important to know more about this plant and how it could affect your pet. Below, I discuss a few points that could help you out.
What are pussy willows?
Pussy willows are small species of plants under the Salix genus. It has furry catkins or flowering nubs, which resemble a cat’s fur to some extent, which is the reason why it’s called as such.
Moreover, pussy willows are dioecious plants. This means that each plant can either be male or female.
So if you want to propagate pussy willows, you need to plant at least one male and one female in your yard. This way, the two plants can cross-pollinate to produce flowers.
Overall, this plant is fairly common and native to northern parts of North America.
Are pussy willows dangerous to cats?
Pussy willows rarely become threats to animals and humans. It’s not known to be toxic and can be grown safely in private yards.
But just because pussy willows are non-toxic doesn’t mean you’ll let your cat chew on them. The fuzzy covering of the nubs may still irritate your cat’s mouth.
Aside from that, felines with allergies or asthma may react harshly to the pollens the plant is releasing into the air. Such pollination heightens during spring, so you should keep your allergic kitty indoors and away from the plant.
Overall, a healthy cat will be fine if it chewed a leaf or two. Some can also consume a small amount of pussy willow leaves and flowers without experiencing adverse reactions.
However, if your cat obsessively consumed large amounts of pussy willows, it will suffer from diarrhea and vomiting.
Most of the time, such irritations may clear up once your cat has expelled the pussy willows. However, if the symptoms persist, it’s best to bring your pet to the nearest veterinarian.
While not really common, some pussy willows might be treated with pesticide or artificial fertilizer. These chemicals are harmful to most animals, especially a small cat.
When do pussy willows become toxic to cats?
It’s important to know that pussy willows contain a substance called salicin, which will then turn into salicylic acid.
Overall, salicylic acid by itself isn’t heavily toxic. However, cats are pretty sensitive to it and may have a harsh reaction when exposed to large amounts, a.k.a. ingesting a bunch of pussy willow leaves or buds.
Nevertheless, the only worst-case scenario is that your cat will suffer from temporary diarrhea, vomiting, tummy ache, and lethargy. Still, felines with extreme sensitivity may experience ulceration and more serious reactions.
How to keep your cat away from pussy willows
As they say, it’s better to err on the side of caution. This is why you should keep your cat away from your pussy willows.
Keeping your kitty indoors is the best solution. And if you need to take the feline outdoors, make sure that it’s leashed and supervised.
Putting a fence around your pussy willows will also help. However, make sure that you pair it with deterrent odors, so your kitty won’t try to climb to the other side.
If you ever caught your cat nibbling or fixating on your pussy willows, distract it right away. You should also move the kitty away from the area right away.
Whether your cat has adverse reactions to pussy willows or not, you should still practice deterrent methods just the same. A spray of lemon juice can go a long way in discouraging a kitty from hanging around the pussy willow tree.
Are money trees toxic to cats?
Money tree is a popular Chinese ornamental plant. It’s scientifically called Pilea peperomioides.
This plant is non-toxic to both cats and dogs. It’s also low-maintenance and will thrive in most conditions, including indoor growing.
However, it shouldn’t be confused with “money plant”. This is also called rubber plant and is very toxic to animals.
Unlike the “money tree” with thin and long leaves, the “money plant” has rounded and thick leaves. Aside from that, “money tree” has green leaves while “money plant” has deep green to purplish leaves colors.
To be safe, it’s best to keep your kitty away from both species. Besides, each kitty will have varying reactions to plant ingestion, even with the non-poisonous type.
Are spider plants harmful to cats?
Despite its menacing name, spider plants are non-toxic to cats. Your kitty can nibble the leaves of this plant without experiencing any harsh reactions.
However, you should still try to limit your cat’s exposure to this plant. Spider plants have a substance similar to opium.
While it’s not deadly, it can still trigger diarrhea and vomiting when ingested in large amounts. So to be safe, you shouldn’t tolerate your cat’s obsession with eating your spider plant.
Are snake plants toxic to cats?
Snake plants are aesthetic house ornaments, but they pose a threat to cats. This species contains saponin, a compound that can trigger diarrhea and vomiting in felines once ingested.
Nevertheless, a kitty would have to eat a large amount of snake plant before it suffers from severe reactions. In that case, chewing a small part of the leaf may only trigger nausea and drooling.
Just take note that diarrhea and vomiting due to snake plant ingestion can take a deadly turn due to dehydration. So if your kitty’s condition isn’t improving within 12 hours, you should bring it to the vet immediately.
Conclusion
Are pussy willows toxic to cats? Generally, this plant is not harmful to kitties, but you should still discourage them from nibbling or eating any part.
After all, cats are obligate carnivores. Plants aren’t usually a part of their diet, so it’s not truly necessary for them to consume grass and the likes.
But in case your kitty experiences an adverse reaction to pussy willows, the vet will be the best person to call.
