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The sago palm is a pretty plant that’s used in landscaping and grown as a houseplant. However, can it be poisonous to cats?
Has your cat eaten sago palm? Are you worried sago palm will make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something like this.
We’ve put together information about sago palm and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Sago Palm?
Sago palm may look like a type of palm tree; however, the plants are not true palms. They’re part of the cycad family of plants, which includes ancient tropical and subtropical plants. The plants tend to grow from a trunk, but they don’t produce branches. And the sago palm does produce “nuts,” however, these are not true nuts, as the plant does not produce fruit or flowers. Sago palms originally came from Japan and southern China.
While the plants are grown outside in warmer parts of the US, they’re also grown indoors as houseplants. They are slow-growing plants that only grow a few inches each year.
Sago palms are pretty but are they poisonous to cats?
Sago Palms & Cats
Unfortunately, the sago palm is poisonous to cats. The plants contain several toxic substances that can cause severe digestive tract issues, affect the nervous system, and even cause liver damage.
Symptoms of poisoning can be seen as soon as 15 minutes after a cat eats the plant. However, the symptoms may not become apparent until several hours later in some cases.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Sago Palm Poisoning in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten sago palm:
- Excessive drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdomen
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice
- Black, tarry stool
If your cat is showing these symptoms or you know she’s eaten sago palm, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Sago Palm Poisoning in Cats
When you reach the vet, they may use activated charcoal and induce vomiting. This helps reduce the amount of toxins in your cat’s system. The vet may also run blood work and other tests to check your cat’s overall status.
Your fur baby may need an IV for fluids and to make it easier to give her any medications needed to treat her condition. The vet will work to treat symptoms as they arise and try to prevent liver damage and other issues.
The prognosis is best for cats who receive prompt medical treatment. And if you have sago palm in your garden or in your home, you may want to consider removing the plant to keep your cat safe and healthy.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
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