If your cat eats plant material from a house pine and negative symptoms follow, take it into a veterinary clinic for a professional assessment. Try getting an artificial tree so your cat can’t ingest sap, tree water or pine needles, which can cause nausea, vomiting, skin irritation or injury to the stomach. Depression / Diarrhea / Itching / Vomiting. Use ribbon or twine rather than hooks to put your decorations on the tree. As pines drop needles, they leave a mulch on the ground. If you have been able to collect samples of your cat’s stool or vomit, bring them in, along with clippings from the tree. You cannot eliminate phenols from those pellets. It is a part of the Araucariaceae plant family and goes by the common names of Norfolk pine or Australian pine in addition to being known as a house pine. To keep each member of the family safe this holiday season, employ one of our top tips to keep Fido and Fifi from getting up to mischief this Christmas. My 2 1/2 yr old female cat started eating the pine needles from the christmas tree this year. Watch for symptoms. Sharp needles can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract if they are swallowed. She isn't just eating the fallen ones. Ingestion of pine needles from these tress can potentially cause gastrointestinal signs and lethargy. Lengthened periods of vomiting or diarrhea can leave a cat very dehydrated. House pines are native to South America and are tropical plants that can not survive frosts or harsh winters. not to my knowledge, but there are dozens of species of pines, firs etc. may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Pine needles are not toxic, and most cats would not try to eat them, but if you suspect yours might do so, sweep or vacuum them up as soon as you see them. All signs to watch for are listed as follows: Chewing or consuming parts of the house pine may lead to a negative reaction from the cat. A full recovery is expected after the initial illness has passed. Urine may also be collected to test for blood or minerals passing through the body. She didn't do this before. Yew might be in the poisonous category. The house pine is very slow-growing, although it can eventually reach heights over 6 feet. The veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of the cat to note all of the symptoms that have developed. With exception to peace lily and calla lily, all other lily varieties are major threats to cats, causing kidney failure and death. Unless you treat the lower branches of the tree with an agent that repels your cat, such as a bitter spray or a citrus spray, the cat will be drawn to the tree and may eat its foliage. At the vet’s office, your cat will undergo a full physical, which includes blood work. Yew Pine belongs to the Podocarpus genus, Podocarpaceae family. Provide distractions for your cat, such as its scratching post, a fish pole toy, treats and catnip. If your cat shows curiosity, seeming to want to nibble the needles from the branches, find a way of creating a barrier between your cat and the tree, so it can’t harm itself. Did you know that many common garden and house plants can be toxic to your cat? Vets and cat owners have reported that when cats have ingested the needles they have developed gastrointestinal symptoms, along with lethargy and depression. In most cases, popular Christmas tree species, such as blue spruce and Douglas fir, are not poisonous to cats, though ingesting sharp needles can wreak havoc with a cat's digestive system. The vet will have these analyzed to determine if your cat’s illness is truly a case of Australian pine poisoning. Pine trees were classified as poisonous to dogs and cats. If you wish to have a live tree, choose a fir or spruce. If your pet jostles the tree, needles may come in contact with your pet’s eye and cause lacerations, which are painful and which may result in the loss of vision. Try getting an artificial tree so your cat can't ingest sap, tree water or pine needles, which can cause nausea, vomiting, skin irritation or injury to the stomach. She is actually grabbing hold of the branches and raking her teeth along it, pulling the needles off. This water can become full of harmful bacteria and lead to internal infections if the cat drinks it. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. However, pine needles can cause damage to eyes if pets should run into the tree, such as a corneal laceration. The vet may also give sucralfate, which helps the cat by creating a paste in its stomach. 4. The needles are indigestible, so they will remain in your cat’s stomach until it is able to vomit them up. Some plants tagged as pines, including Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) and Yew pine (Podocarpus macrophyllus), are not true pines, b… Cats can get hurt when they step on or eat broken ornaments or pine needles. Australian Pine, which is also called house pine, Norfolk Island pine, and Norfolk pine, is poisonous to cats. They shed SO MUCH. Phenols in particular are poisonous to the cats’ neurological system. Pine (Pinus spp.) Because cats love to nibble on greenery, provide safe, cat-edible grass indoors and outdoors. If it is, your vet will have a better idea of how to treat it. Pine trees are toxic for cats, notes Petcha, because they may cause liver damage and can be fatal. It takes only a small amount to result in poisoning. Some may choose not to keep the plant in their home as an extra precaution. This does not mean that no threat exists, however, the likelihood of your cat becoming ill from eating house pine is very low. Cats that find candles interesting can hurt themselves or cause a fire. may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. If it is determined that treatment is needed, it will likely be symptomatic, as there is no specific procedure to assist a cat who has eaten house pine. If you want to keep plants in your house, or if you let your cat out into your yard, you need to be able to accurately identify plants and flowers that are poisonous to cats. If chewed on and ingested, they will irritate the mouth and can cause drooling, mild GI upset like vomiting (dogs and cats), and possibly diarrhea. *Wag! If you wish to have a live tree, choose a fir or spruce. And because they love to climb and explore, it is difficult to keep plants out of their reach. While artificial tree possesses quite blunt needles, live trees have more pointed needles as they shed their needles regularly. All parts of the plant are regarded as toxic, although the toxic principles within it are unknown. 1 Some may even cause death. It is sometimes used as a Christmas tree, and in these instances, the water that the tree is kept in may harbor harmful bacteria and cause a cat to become very ill if it is drunk. Factors that can influence the likelihood of poisoning in cats include: When your cat becomes ill with lethargy, diarrhea, and vomiting, it’s not easy to figure out the cause. At home, set up barriers so the cat can’t get to the tree, whether it’s a part of your outdoor landscaping or whether it’s a Christmas tree inside. As a researcher I can tell you that pine pellets are indeed toxic to cats. The house pine is an unusual food choice for a cat, however curious cats or kittens may try to sample the hard needles. Due to the shape and sharpness of pine needles, the pet may also have to be monitored for choking if it is vomiting for a long period of time. Typical symptoms include diarrhea, enlarged pupil, seizures, tremors, and vomiting. The popularity of this tree as a Christmas tree puts cats at higher risk during the Christmas and New Year holidays. After a cat has ingested the needles of the Australian Pine, it may show these symptoms: The Australian pine is a highly attractive plant to cats. Live Trees: Fir, spruce, and pine trees make excellent Christmas trees, but their oils can irritate your pet’s mouth, leading to excessive drooling or vomiting. We have several large pine trees right next to our driveway. Hydrangea shrubs contain a toxin similar to cyanide and can quickly lead to oxygen deprivation and death. Even non-toxic Christmas trees still pose a risk to cats. Symptoms of pine toxicity in cats … While your cat may not be in danger of dying, it still needs to be treated for its symptoms. Pine needles, especially longer ones, tend to “knit” themselves together. In very southern climates in the United States, the house pine can grow outdoors, although it is more commonly found potted indoors. Pine needles would definitely make a cat puke though. If a needle is swallowed, it can lodge in the cat’s intestines and cause irritation or even a blockage. The needles of many pine trees are toxic and may be dangerous, particularly to cattle and other livestock. *Wag! If this is the case, intravenous fluid administration may be needed to balance volumes inside the cat and stabilize its condition. Any poisoning by this tree will make your cat uncomfortably ill. To help it to feel better, take the cat to the vet so appropriate medications can be given. Because tree farms and retailers spray poisonous chemicals on these trees to make them last longer, your cat can also fall ill because of the chemicals and fertilizers used. Are pine needles bad for cats? Should pets ingest the sap produced by the tree, mild gastrointestinal discomfort may occur, but natural trees are generally non-toxic for cats and dogs. Even if a pine species doesn't contain any particular toxins, the pine needles can act as irritants, and due to their pointed ends, they risk traumatizing the delicate GI mucosa. Though eating pine needles or sap can cause some gastrointestinal distress at the worst; no, Christmas trees are not toxic to family pets. This has caused some to dispute whether the house pine is indeed a threat to pets including cats, however erring on the side of caution is the safest course of action. The precise toxic substances in this tree aren’t known. Often, cats will show these signs right away. The Australian pine is also called the Norfolk pine, house pine, and Norfolk Island pine. If you wish to have a live tree, choose a fir or spruce.Additionally, you should regularly dispose of any stray needles–no matter the tree type–because they're sharp and may be … © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. The tree is called a pine due to its appearance, and is not actually a part of the pine tree family. This usually happens when the pine sap or pine needles that get attached to the pinecones that a dog or cat would eat. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out %26amp; losing needles. There may be a real threat to a cat's health in the water that house pine Christmas trees are kept in. Pine trees are toxic for cats, notes Petcha, because they may cause liver damage and can be fatal. If you saw it eating Australian pine needles, explain to your vet what you found. This isn’t an issue as long as they don’t eat anything while they are in there, get sap on their fur, or knock the whole thing over. In fact, when we moved in, it was nothing but pine needles … If your Australian pine is a Christmas tree located indoors, you’ll need to be highly watchful of your cat (and any other household pets) to ensure they don’t nibble any part of the tree or drink any of the water. I can't keep her away from it. Within a few hours or days, your cat will return to full health, depending on how much of the tree or water it ate or drank. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!. You may be asked about the type of house plants in your home, and if your cat is allowed outdoors. Anemia / Depression / Diarrhea / Lethargy / Vomiting, Not protecting the cat or tree with barriers, Not learning what plants, trees, and flowers are toxic to cats. A full recovery is expected after the initial illness has passed. Christmas Tree Pine trees are toxic for cats, notes Petcha, because they may cause liver damage and can be fatal. These tests will provide insight on the cat's overall health condition. My question for today, though, is about cats, pine needles and our bush beds. If your cat drank water from the tree stand, you should take a sample of that water so the vet can isolate what is making your pet ill and give the most appropriate treatment. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten, they are also toxic to cats. The Australian pine is popular for use as a Christmas tree and for outdoor landscaping. Take samples of vomit, stool, and the poison your cat ate to the vet with your cat. Rabbits have very sensitive GI microflora and if they ingest a lot of pine needles, they can develop severe diarrhea as a result. If your cat shows curiosity, seeming to want to nibble the needles from the branches, find a way of creating a barrier between your cat and the tree, so it can’t harm itself. Ingesting portions of the house pine may cause a moderate gastrointestinal response in some cats. Can the pine needles or tree sap be toxic … Your vet may give Kapectolin to your cat. If the cat ate a large amount of tree material, it may be necessary to do a gastric lavage, which completely empties the stomach contents. Though most cats typically will not eat the needles of a tree, there are some cats that be curious enough to do so. Artificial Christmas trees contain toxins in the materials used to … If you obtained immediate veterinary treatment, expect your cat to feel under the weather for up to a few days. While the compound responsible for pine toxicity in cats has not been identified, both the sap and needles are known health hazards for pets, according to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation.Cats may be tempted to play with or chew the needles, especially if they are laden with flashy ornaments. All parts of Norfolk pines are potentially toxic to cats, according to Signe J. Plunkett, DVM in her book "Emergency Procedures for the Small Animal Veterinarian." The symptoms that occur include vomiting and depression. Other species of pine tree, however, particularly Norfolk pine, house pine and Australian pine, are toxic to cats. The oral cavity of the cat should be flushed with water to remove all bits of plant material in the mouth. The first sign of toxicity is facial tics and abnormal whisker and ear movements. The veterinarian may decide to induce vomiting if there is not a great threat of choking. A blood sample may be taken at this time for a complete blood count and a biochemical profile to be run. Additionally, you should regularly dispose of any stray needles–no matter the tree type–because they're sharp … Pesticides, fertilisers and tree preservers can leech out of the soil when the tree is watered which can pose a danger if the cat drinks the contaminated water. They can help you know what to do next. If I don't keep it regularly raked, you'd never see our yard. This may be given to the cat to help absorb any toxins in the digestive system and allow them to safely pass through the intestines without being digested. Use them in a thick layer on a hill for mulch – they won’t tend to blow away or be washed away like other mulches. When cats ingest small amounts of a tree’s sap by chewing on branches and needles, it can cause GI distress like vomiting, cramping, drooling, and diarrhea. The Australian pine is popular for use as a Christmas tree and for outdoor landscaping. House pine poisoning is not commonly reported and fatalities from ingestion of house pine is unheard of. Most are able to tolerate severe growing conditions, including drought, harsh winds and poor soil. The resin, or sap, from pines and firs is toxic to cats. If you have a house pine in your home, do all you can to prevent your cat from accessing it. The cat's medical history may be needed in determining whether previous health conditions are contributing to the current illness. When most folks think of evergreens, they think of Christmas trees. Pine needles are sharp enough to touch. The needles of the house pine can cause mild skin irritation upon contact, and if eaten or vomited up, can damage internal tissues, causing choking hazards. Pine needles are mildly toxic. The Araucaria heterophylla, or house pine as it is often called, is a small evergreen tree often kept indoors as an ornamental plant. The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says the Australian pine, Araucana heterophylla, contains an unknown toxic substance that causes vomiting and depression in dogs and cats. Once the offending material has been removed from its stomach, it will begin to feel more like its normal self, recovering completely. Around the holiday season, the plant is sold in many grocery stores around the country, and is likely to be found used as decoration. Cats are very sensitive the pine oils and chronic ingestions could cause problems. Cats will chew on plants. Fake snow, mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias are all toxic to cats in some degree, sometimes deadly. In fact, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals lists over 390 that are poisonous—primarily when ingested. External contact may cause itching or inflammation. These chemicals can also leach into the water poured into the tree stand, posing even more of a risk to your cat’s health. Medievals put them inside churchyard walls to keep the animals from eating them. Mistletoe, on the other hand, can be quite poisonous to pets. This does not mean that no threat exists, however, the likelihood of your cat becoming ill from eating house pine is very low. This helps the vet to determine if the cat's liver and kidneys are functioning properly. This paste creates a barrier between the lining of your cat’s stomach and the remaining bits of the pine that it ate. Post the clinic’s phone number in an obvious place, along with the number for the Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435. 5. Tree needles, if digested can cause gastrointestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal irritation, and/or vomiting. Place some pine needles in your winter garden to keep moles and voles out. The needles can create more of an issue, as they are not easily digested and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting… Pine Needle Mulch. This man made $2.8 million swing trading stocks from home. is a huge genus of evergreen trees that vary widely in size and form. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!. The Yew Pine is poisonous for both cats and dogs. 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