Are aloe vera plants poisonous to cats and dogs is a question that is often asked by various gardeners and pet owners. Aloe is a widely grown plant preferred for its anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory benefits.
However, it can cause more harm than good when ingested by cats and dogs. The plant’s latex contains saponin, which causes bowel movements in cats.
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Are Aloe Vera Poisonous to Cats?
Yes, aloe plant are poisonous to cats, and when the cat eats the latex, they suffer poisoning symptoms like vomiting and bowel movements. They are highly intoxicating, and not safe at all, when they try to lick the sap, their stomach will get harmed.
You can give your paw friend aloe gel, but they should never have the white latex. In general the aloe latex is toxic because it contains saponins that cause abdominal discomfort to your pet.
The aloe plant is mainly grown for its anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and fungicide properties. Humans use it to soothe burns and heal woods, reduce arthritic itching and ease intestinal problems. However, aloe plants are poisonous plants to cats, especially the white sap called latex.
Aloe latex contains anthracene, glycosides, and anthraquinones, which form saponins. Although this plant has medicinal benefits for cats, ensure you contact your vet before introducing your pet to these home plants.
On the other hand, remember that the aloe plant that are manufactured products, meaning they are bottled, when used for cats, don’t have toxic latex. The manufacturer removes it to make the product safe. Also, if you apply aloe solution gel on your dog’s or cat’s wound and the pet licks it, they won’t suffer poisoning symptoms.
– Symptoms in Cats
White latex is the poisonous part of the aloe sap to your cat. When ingested, it increases the mucus found and water in the cat’s intestines causing abdominal cramping. Other symptoms to show your cat ate these toxic plants are vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, and red urine.
But if you are worried and asking “What if my cat chewed on my aloe plant?” if you didn’t see your paw friend munch on your toxic house plants but are showing the symptoms, the vet will help diagnose them.
The latter is the reason why, if you see some symptoms, such as the lack of playfulness, and having appetite, this is the right time to consult a vet, and get them diagnosed.
Once you take the cat or dog to the vet, they will physically examine it. The vet could also look for remains of the plant in the cat’s vomit or feces. If you spot your curious cat feeding on the aloe plants, carry a piece of it with you to the vet.
– Symptoms in Dogs
Aloe plants are unsafe for dogs. The toxic saponin chemical causes cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration. It also lowers blood sugar levels in dogs, which leads to coma and later death.
Besides, dehydration in dogs and cats is fatal. It leads to kidney failure and unconsciousness, which can result in death. If the dog takes too much aloe plant, there is a high accumulation of toxins which cause the breakdown of red blood cells. This is also a fatal stage if treatment is not given fast.
Some symptoms of aloe poisoning in puppies are abnormal heart rate, dark urine, drilling, vomiting, diarrhea, head shaking, and coma. These signs also show when you give your dog products with aloe’s latex found. Ensure you see the vet immediately for your dog’s treatment.
How To Treat Aloe Poisoning In Pets?
To treat aloe poisoning in pets, you must start by inducing vomiting, so that it calms down, then, you can consult a vet, provide active charcoal, and the vet can give some IV fluids, lastly, the vet can even provide some oxygen, to save its life.
– Induced Vomiting
The first treatment step if your cat licks aloe sap is induced vomiting. Vomiting removes the remaining aloe sap toxins from the stomach. This stops the absorption of toxins into the body from taking place.
– Consulting a Vet
When you feel like the toxins are severe in the body of the pet, you may not immediately go to a vet, and consult them, because they would be able to provide different types of remedies, that would be saving the life of the cat.
– Providing Active Charcoal
The vet uses hydrogen peroxide, among other drugs, to induce vomiting in the cat. Once all the plant material has left the stomach, the vet will give your pet activated charcoal. The drug neutralizes any remaining aloe toxins and inhibits more absorption into the body.
– IV Fluids
Vomiting and diarrhea cause dehydration in cats and can lead to their death, because the cat would stop having any electrolytes in the body, which means that it will be very weak.
The vet will therefore administer Intravenous fluids to keep the pet hydrated. The fluids also help with the proper functioning of the kidney, and it would provide safety for the pet life.
– Providing Oxygen
If the cat lacks oxygen, it will receive oxygen therapy to ensure all body parts function well. Overeating the poisonous sap can cause more severe symptoms in your cat. Which means that when they provide oxygen, the pet would calm down.
How To Keep Your Pets Away from Aloe Plant?
To keep your pets away from aloe plant, you can place them away from their reach, and they would be safe. In addition, you can even spray citrus juice around it, and also place a rosemary plant, too. These are repellents and as a result, they will not approach.
Aloe is a beautiful house plant beneficial to humans and pets. However, your cat won’t know the aloe healthy parts and those that should be avoided. Which means that taking measures to keep them away and placing repellents would be ideal.
– Away From Reach
Place the plant far from your cat’s reach. It can be on a higher shelf or in the bedroom. Placing the pot on the fridge might not work perfectly because some cats climb fridges.
– Spray Citrus Juice
You can also make your aloe less attractive to cats and dogs. Sprinkle some citrus juice on the plant’s leaves or the pot. The smell is pungent to your feline friend, and they will stay away from the plant.
– Place Rosemary
You can also keep your cat’s aloe vera safe by growing it with other plants these pets don’t like. For example, plant rosemary near the aloe or place some leaves in aloe pots.
This plant’s aromatic smell is pungent to different pets and even pests. You can also grow cacti because they are thorny and will keep the pets away.
Is Aloe Juice Toxic to Pets?
No, aloe juice is not toxic to Pets, on the contrary it is beneficial, because the toxic sap has been extracted from the plant. It has benefits to cats, such as minerals and vitamins, different sugars and enzymes, and can even be used as a painkiller.
Although cats and dogs should not eat aloe plants because of latex, the plant’s juice is safe for their bodies. It treats their skin conditions, acts as an antibacterial and anti-fungal, and treats kidney stones. Aloe juice also acts as a topical pain reliever and treats frostbite.
– Minerals and Vitamins
Aloe gel that is found contains antioxidant vitamins C and E, and B12. When cats eat the gel, they get amino acids to keep their bodies healthy. It also supports healthy digestion and improves nutrient absorption. Other minerals to get from the gel are zinc, calcium, and potassium.
– Sugars and Enzymes
Aloe gel contains immune boosters called long-chain polysaccharides. These protect your cat from diseases.
The enzymes are essential to reduce inflammation and promote digestion.
– Used as A Painkiller
You can use the aloe’s secreted gel on your cat as a painkiller. It contains emodin and aloin, which help relieve pain and have antibacterial properties. Aloe gel can also be used as a laxative.
For instance, you can use aloe gel on your cat’s wound and skin irritation. Since it does not contain toxic latex, there won’t be effects if the cat licks the product on the injury. However, if you buy aloe related products to put on your cat’s wound, ensure they don’t have latex.
Conclusion
Aloe is a healthy plant for humans but toxic to cats and dogs. It has latex, the poisonous sap which contains saponins. Saponins cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pains, and passing red urine in cats.
From this article, you will find that:
- You can use aloe on cats, but do not give the pets white latex.
- On the other hand, aloe gel has health benefits in cats, providing them with vitamins and minerals and boosting their immune system.
- Ensure you visit your vet as soon as your cat or dog ingests aloe sap to manage the symptoms.
Since cats are attracted to many green toxic plants like aloe, you can keep them away from this plant by pouring citric acid and placing their pots on high shelves. You can also grow other non-attractive plants for cats, like cacti.
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