Mum Plant Poisoning in Cats

The mum plant, short for chrysanthemum, is a popular plant in homes and gardens nationwide. Unfortunately, it's also mildly toxic to cats.

There are several different species of chrysanthemum, all of which are toxic to cats. However, the good news is that the mum plant does not usually cause severe poisoning in cats. If your cat ingests the mum plant, they may show signs of gastrointestinal discomfort such as vomiting and diarrhea. Drooling and a loss of coordination can also occur, while the mum plant may cause contact irritation to your pet's skin as well.

If your pet ingests any mum plant or is showing signs of mum plant poisoning, seek veterinary attention to help relieve their discomfort as soon as possible.

Symptoms of mum plant poisoning will usually appear within 2 hours of ingestion and are generally mild. If you notice any of the following symptoms, take your cat to the vet to reduce any stomach upset and/or skin irritation:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Loss of appetite
• Itching
• Red, swollen, or inflamed skin
• Bumps or lesions where the plant has touched your cat

The most common cause of mum poisoning in cats is ingestion when a cat eats part of the plant. However, some pets will develop skin irritation after simply coming into contact with chrysanthemums.

Chrysanthemums are part of the Compositae family and contain toxins including lactones, pyrethrins, and sesquiterpene. Pyrethrins are actually a common ingredient used in insecticides and flea and tick medications for cats and dogs. They produce symptoms of gastrointestinal upset when eaten, but can also cause a loss of coordination if consumed in large quantities.

It's quite rare for cats to consume large quantities of poisonous plants, but it's best to err on the side of caution if your pet ingests any mum plant. Take them to the vet so that any problems can be diagnosed and treated promptly.

In any case of plant poisoning, you should seek veterinary attention even if your pet's symptoms are mild. If possible, take a sample of the plant your cat has ingested with you to the vet clinic.

If you know how much of the plant your cat ingested, this information could help your vet make a diagnosis. You'll also need to tell your vet how long your cat has been experiencing symptoms.

Your vet will examine your cat and may need to perform blood and urine tests to confirm a diagnosis of poisoning. Other tests may be recommended by your vet based on your cat's symptoms.

Treatment for mild cases of mum poisoning in cats is typically straightforward and will involve standard methods used to treat plant poisoning in domestic animals. Your vet may induce vomiting to help clear undigested toxins from your cat’s stomach, and activated charcoal may be administered to absorb remaining toxins in the stomach.

Intravenous fluid therapy is usually recommended in most cases of plant poisoning to correct fluid imbalances, especially if the cat has persistent vomiting. For cats experiencing vomiting, antiemetic drugs may be given to keep this under control. Ant acids may also be given, to help things settle.

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The prognosis for mild cases of chrysanthemum poisoning in cats is usually good or excellent with prompt and effective treatment. Cats with mild bouts of mum plant poisoning typically make a full recovery within 24 hours following ingestion. Happily, severe cases of poisoning are rare.

Mild cases of poisoning do not typically warrant follow-up appointments. In more serious cases of poisoning, your vet will schedule follow-up appointments on an as-needed basis depending on your cat’s symptoms.

It's also important to take steps to minimize the risk of your cat coming into contact with chrysanthemums or other toxic plants like lilies and sago palms. Be careful not to keep any toxic plants or flowers inside your home, and consider keeping your cat indoors at all times to help them stay safe.

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