This plant consists of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals similar to other plants in the Araceae family. Chewing or biting into this plant by a cat will release these crystals triggering tissue penetration and inflammation the mouth and GI tract. Common signs to look for drooling, pawing at the mouth, oral pain, decreased appetite, vomiting.
Though not nearly as harmful to cats as true lilies of the genuses lilium and hemerocallis, the peace lily contains the substance calcium oxalate, which makes chewing on any part of the plant an undesirable experience for family pets. Consuming peace lilies, also called Mauna Loa plants, causes oral inflammation and an indigestion in cats and dogs.
Peace Lily Identification
The peace lily is a tropical types that belongs to the taxonomic family Araceae. The leaves are large, green and shiny. The plant’s Greek scientific name, spathiphyllum, is a reference to the spathes that surround the plant’s flower clusters. At first white, the spathes gradually turn a pale green. Peace lilies are popular indoor plants because they flower year-round, do not need much upkeep and need reasonably little light to flower.
Instantaneous Discomfort
When a cat bites into a peace lily, the chewing action launches the plant’s calcium oxalate crystals. These insoluble crystals produce a moderate to intense burning feeling when they enter contact with the mucosa of the mouth, throat, tongue and esophagus. If ingested, the crystals will aggravate the stomach as well. A cat will feel the impacts of chomping on a peace lily practically instantly. Calla lilies likewise include calcium oxalate crystals and have the same effect on pets as peace lilies. Unlike the more harmful true lilies — Asiatic, tiger and Easter lilies, among others — peace and calla lilies do not cause acute kidney failure in cats.
Signs of Intoxication
The pain associated with peace lily intoxication may cause your cat to rub her face and mouth with her paw. The cat’s mouth, lips, tongue and even her upper breathing passageways may become swollen. If the swelling is severe, she may have trouble swallowing and breathing. Intestinal pain might manifest as lathering at the mouth, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and a reduced appetite.
Seek Veterinary Care
Take your cat to a veterinarian as quickly as possible if you think he has eaten or chewed on a peace lily. If you can, participate or all the upseting plant to the visit– there may be pieces of it in your cat’s vomit– to assist the vet confirm that the intoxication remains in reality from a peace lily and not from a more dangerous plant types.
