Coffee plant toxic to cats doesn’t mean coffee itself is toxic to cats. Instead, the caffeine in the coffee plant is toxic to cats. Coffee is a highly caffeinated beverage from the seed of the coffee plant.
The drink is famous worldwide, with millions of people drinking it daily. However, only a few people know that many types of coffee plants are toxic to cats.
This guide shows you the different kinds of coffee plants and how they can be harmful to cats.
Why Is Coffee Plant Toxic to Cats?
Coffee plant is toxic to cats because of the poisoning properties that it has, your cat will show signs of poisoning such as vomiting, loss of appetite, and fatigue. You must take it to the vet who would diagnose it, and then treat your cat, depending on the intoxication level
If you think your cat has consumed caffeine, it’s essential to take it to the vet immediately. There are treatments available, but the sooner you get help, the better. Treatment usually results in a full recovery for most cats.
– Poisoning Property
Your cat can ingest toxins if it rubs against the plant or nibbles on or swallows a portion. If consumed, saponins, a chemical found in the coffee tree plant, can irritate a cat’s skin and mouth cavity and upset the gastrointestinal system.
You might wonder why your pet is always lurking around the coffee plants. Well, the answer is that those plants are toxic to cats. Cats are susceptible to caffeine, and coffee plants contain a high level of caffeine.
So what happens when a cat consumes caffeine? It can cause symptoms like hyperactivity, restlessness, vomiting, and even death, of course in rare cases if untreated.
You’ll be happy to learn that severe coffee tree poisoning is uncommon. However, if you fear your cat has been poisoned, you should consult your veterinarian or a poison control center.
– Vomiting, Nausea, Loss of Appetite
If you find your cat near the coffee plant, immediately look for some signs and symptoms. While coffee plants are toxic to cats, they typically don’t eat them because of their bitter taste. However, if your cat ingests a coffee plant, it may experience nausea or abdominal disturbances.
The signs and symptoms of toxicity in cats can vary. These toxins can cause various symptoms in cats, ranging from minor to life-threatening. But among the most common ones are vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, Tremors, Fatigue, and contact dermatitis.
– Diagnosis
Fortunately, most cases of coffee plant poisoning can be treated successfully, but getting help is essential. Don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian if you see any of these signs in your cat.
If you think your cat has ingested coffee plants and the signs and symptoms are visible, it’s essential to seek vet’s help for a formal diagnosis.
The vet will conduct a physical exam and inquire about the duration of consumption, how much time has passed, and the symptoms exhibited.
During the physical exam, the veterinarian will look for any signs of toxicity. They will also ask you about your cat’s diet and what they might have eaten that could have caused the poisoning.
Because there is no test for coffee tree poisoning in cats, the diagnosis will be determined after learning about the symptoms and studying the contents of the vomit. The doctor may also check the contents of your cat’s stomach for indications as to what is causing the symptoms.
Your cat may need blood tests or a sample of its stomach contents to determine how toxic it is.
– Treatment
The treatment for coffee plant toxicity in cats usually involves vomiting out the consumed substance and then giving activated charcoal to absorb the toxins. The cat may need to be treated with liver support supplements if it has liver damage.
Based on your information, the vet will likely start your cat on intravenous fluids and activated charcoal to help remove toxins from its system. Your cat may require IV fluids due to dehydration caused by severe vomiting and diarrhea.
If your cat has not developed any gastrointestinal problems, it may suffer from topical coffee tree exposure. In this case, the veterinarian may need to prescribe a corticosteroid to reduce swelling and irritation of the afflicted skin.
The vet may advise you to keep your cat for 24-48 hours after therapy to ensure his health does not deteriorate. This is particularly typical when the cat is dehydrated and requires intravenous fluids. Most cats fully recover after treatment, but getting them help as soon as possible is essential.
Your veterinarian may also advise you about changing your cat’s food for the following several days as its body recovers. Because your cat’s stomach may be sensitive due to the treatment, the doctor may advise you only to feed soft foods until it has fully healed.
Most cats will fully recover within a few days, but it’s essential to keep an eye on them and ensure they don’t start exhibiting any other symptoms.
How To Prevent Your Cat From Coffee Plant?
To prevent your cat from your coffee plant, you must keep in out of the reach of the cat, protect the pet, place the plant on a higher shelf where it will not go near. In addition, you may also include some cat repellents so it wouldn’t eat the fruit.
– Keep It Out of Reach
The easiest way to prevent your cat from consuming caffeine fruit from the plant, is to keep it out of reach. If you have an open counter where you place your coffee plant and its fruit, keep the plant away from the cat, or in an area where it is off limits to the cat.
Such as you can place it in a corner where the cat doesn’t regularly go to, or if it has a habit of staying in a particular spot, you can make sure that you do not place it there, but far from there, and as they linger around, they wouldn’t bother themselves to go near.
– Protect Your Cat
Protecting your cat from exposure to the coffee tree plant is essential. If the plant is in your or your neighbor’s yard, keep your cat indoors as much as possible to prevent exposure.
However, if this plant is in your place, you may protect your cat by placing some wrapping of a shield-like protection vinyl around it.
– Place it on a Higher Shelf
Cats are curious creatures by nature. They like to explore every nook and cranny of their home, including your plants, but if you keep the plant out of the reach of the pet, it will not near it neither will it consume any of your plants.
You can place some traps, and after two attempts, it will lose hope and never go near it again.
– Place Repellents
You can place some repellents such as citrus oil on some cotton pads and lay it next to the plant or near the pot, but make sure that they aren’t in on the top soil. As you place these pads with the soil, it will repel the cat away, because they simply hate any smell that has to do with citrus or oranges in general.
This is, of course, done for their own safety, and as a result they won’t get poisoned. On another note, you may also place some thyme oil as well as rosemary leaves or incent sticks so that the pets would get disgusted and keep away from being harmed.
What Houseplants Are Safe Around Cats?
The house plants that are safe to keep around cats are the rattle snake, ponytail palms, certain succulents, Boston fern, polka dot plants, and orchid plants. These plants are not ones that would intoxicate your cat if you place any of them in your house.
In case you find your cat biting, or eating any of these plants of the orchid’s flowers or even some African violets, there is nothing to worry about. None of this vegetation includes any intoxicating property that they are accumulated with, hence it will lead to any risks that you would have to be anxious upon.
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FAQ
– Is Coffee Arabica Toxic To Cats?
Caffeine is an active chemical in the coffee arabica plant, poisonous to cats. That is why this plant is considered highly toxic to cats.
Caffeine, at modest doses, can produce vomiting and diarrhea. It can cause irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and even death in larger doses. If you believe your cat has consumed any component of the Arabica coffee plant, seek medical assistance immediately.
While the plant isn’t usually kept as a houseplant, it’s essential to be aware of the risk to curious cats.
– What Should You Look Out For In Case Of Cat Coffee Plant Poisoning?
Coffee plant poisoning can cause abdominal disturbances or nausea. Look out for signs of contact dermatitis, such as redness, swelling, and itchiness on the skin. If you see any of these symptoms, bathe your cat immediately and take them to the vet if the irritation doesn’t subside.
– What Happens If A Cat Licks Coffee Grounds?
If your cat has licked coffee grounds, don’t panic. While coffee plants are toxic to cats, the grounds themselves are not. However, you should always keep an eye on your cat and watch for any signs of illness.
If your cat ingests many coffee grounds, it may be at risk for tree poisoning or contact dermatitis. Please contact your veterinarian if you’re concerned about your cat’s health.
– What Amount Of Coffee Grounds Is Toxic To Cats?
For cats, the value ranges from 80-150 mg/kg (36 – 68 mg/lb).
Conclusion
Regarding plants, you must be mindful about what you keep close to your cat. It’s always beneficial to keep poisonous plants out of your house or place them somewhere your cat can’t get.
Here’s a summary of the key points mentioned above:
- Cats are attracted to the smell of coffee plants and may nibble on the leaves or beans. If ingested, the coffee plant can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
- Symptoms of coffee plant toxicity in cats include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and weakness. Moreover, if the plant is ingested, it can cause gastrointestinal upset.
- If you doubt your cat has ingested a coffee plant, it is essential to seek veterinary care immediately.
- Treatment process will depend on the severity of the symptoms. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary. There is no specific cure for caffeine toxicity in cats, but with prompt treatment, most cats can fully recover.
- Keeping coffee plants out of reach is essential to prevent coffee plant toxicity in cats. Keep your coffee plant away from your cat if you have one in your home.
We hope you gained better knowledge regarding coffee plants toxic to cats. We understand that you are fond of your cat, and with this knowledge, you will be able to take better care of your cat and prevent it from accidentally consuming coffee plants, as they are toxic to cats.
References
- https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/coffee-tree