Dahlias are gorgeous flowers that never cease to be stunning. They can brighten up gardens and bouquets alike. However, it’s essential to check up on the safety of any plants you might bring into your house or that your cat might come into contact with. After all, some plants are not only poisonous but downright deadly for cats. So, are dahlias safe to have around your precious feline companion?
Are Dahlias Poisonous to Cats?
Unfortunately, the beautiful dahlia is toxic to cats, as well as dogs and horses. To make things riskier, dahlias are available in multiple varieties, all of which carry their own names. This means that you may accidentally bring home dahlias without even realizing it, so make sure to become familiar with the appearance of these flowers. This is especially important if you are a big fan of bringing home cut flowers on a regular basis.
Thankfully, dahlias are only considered to be mildly toxic to your cat. They are likely to lead to mild skin irritation wherever the flower comes into contact and mild stomach distress, which could be as mild as discomfort or as severe as vomiting or diarrhea. Currently, no parts of the dahlia flower or plant are known to be safe for cats.
What Should I Do If My Cat Eats a Dahlia?
Luckily, the symptoms of dahlia toxicity are not only mild, but often quite short-lived. In many cases, this means that by the time you realize your cat is not feeling well and identify the cause, your cat may already be on the upswing.
If your cat has consumed anything known to be toxic, it’s always a good idea to reach out to your veterinarian or the pet poison hotline at 888-426-4435. They will be best suited to guide you in any potential treatments or interventions your cat may need. If your cat seems to be experiencing significant skin irritation, vomiting, or diarrhea, you definitely should reach out to the vet.
If you witnessed your cat eat the dahlia, make sure to remove all parts of the dahlia plant and flower from the reach of your cat and then contact your vet or the pet poison hotline. Depending on the circumstances, your cat may need to be seen or stimulated to vomit the plant parts back up, but this is unlikely since the toxicity of this plant is so mild.
In Conclusion
It’s important to keep dahlias fully out of reach of your cat, even though the toxicity symptoms are relatively mild. Your cat may not make the connection that the dahlia made them sick, so it’s possible your cat will attempt to “reoffend” and snack on the plant again. Anytime your cat has eaten a dahlia, it’s a good idea to reach out to your vet to ensure there is nothing you need to do and that your cat doesn’t need to be seen. Your vet knows your cat better than most other people, so they will know your cat’s history and potential complications associated with consuming this plant.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
