Are Begonias Poisonous to Cats? Keeping Your Cat Safe

Begonias are popular annual plants commonly used in gardens and household plants. They are generally easy to grow, take care of, and come in several varieties, making for pretty plants to keep. However, if you also have cats, you might be wondering if it’s safe to have begonias around them.

Begonias are toxic for cats. In fact, all species of begonias should be kept away from your cat as well as dogs and horses.

We’ll take a closer look at begonias and the toxic effects they have on cats and what the symptoms are if your cat does ingest any. We’ll also discuss what you should do if your cat consumes part of this plant.

More About Begonias

There are at least 1,000 species of begonias out there, and each variety is unique. The most common begonia is the wax, also known as a bedding and annual begonia.

Other common varieties are the tuberous, cane, rhizomatous, rex, and even the strawberry begonia. Just so you know, the strawberry begonia does not actually grow strawberries – it just has similar leaves and growth patterns of the strawberry plant.

Begonias tend to do well in the shade, but it does depend on the species, and they are subtropical and tropical flowering plants. Begonias can be hard to identify because there are so many species. However, all begonias have oval-shaped leaves with pointed tips and grow in an alternate pattern on the stem. This means the leaves don’t grow opposite to each other but alternate along the stem).

Every part of the begonia plant is toxic for cats, although the most toxic part is typically the roots, so it’s crucial that if you have cats, your begonias should be kept out of their reach.

Are Begonias Poisonous to Cats?

As we discussed previously, begonias are most definitely poisonous for cats. The ASPCA has placed begonias in their toxic plants category as toxic for cats, dogs, and horses.

The ingredient that causes problems for cats is soluble calcium oxalates. Soluble calcium oxalates are also commonly found in a few other plants, which we’ll list further on.

Symptoms of Begonia Poisoning

When cats eat any part of a begonia, they release the soluble calcium oxalate crystals, which will combine with the calcium found in the bloodstream. This can lead to hypocalcemia, or low calcium levels, which can eventually result in kidney failure, although this is more common in horses and grazing animals.

However, it would take ingesting a large amount of soluble calcium oxalates in your cat’s system for things to get this bad. Beyond the possibility of a cat experiencing low calcium levels, there are also symptoms of begonia toxicity to consider as well.

It’s also possible for your cat to have an allergic reaction if it rubs against the plant.

If you know your cat has eaten part of a begonia and you notice any of these symptoms, go to the vet or emergency clinic immediately. While begonia poisoning cases are typically mild, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Treatment of Begonia Poisoning

When you take your cat to your vet’s clinic, be sure to bring the plant that your cat ingested just so the vet will know for certain how to treat the symptoms. The vet will run tests just to be sure that your cat did eat part of a begonia, which will include blood tests as well as a physical examination.

As we mentioned earlier, most cases of poisoning through the ingestion of begonias tend to be fairly mild and will probably be resolved within 48 hours.

Your vet will more than likely recommend a prescription diet that is much easier on the stomach and should help remove any oxalate crystals still in your cat’s system.

If your cat is dehydrated from vomiting, your vet will set up fluids through an IV, and medication might be prescribed to help clear your cat’s airway passages if they are blocked.

Taking Care of Your Cat at Home

As we mentioned, most begonia poisoning cases will resolve themselves within 48 hours, but the more serious cases might take up to two weeks for complete recovery. Part of the recovery includes your cat’s body ridding itself of the excess oxalate crystals.

However, if your cat’s GI tract is damaged, your vet might place a feeding tube in your cat. This will allow your cat’s esophagus time to heal while your cat will still enjoy a healthy diet.

Otherwise, just keep an eye on your cat and give it time to heal, including keeping the environment as quiet and stress-free as possible.

How to Prevent Your Cat From Getting Into the Begonias

If you keep begonias in your house, you could consider placing them inside an enclosed terrarium or in a room that your cat doesn’t have access to. Additionally, if you can hang them from the ceiling away from any surfaces that will allow your cat to jump from is another option.

There are also cat repellents/deterrents you can try, such as bitter apple or chili pepper sprays. This is for the plant and not directed at the cat. Most cats dislike the smell of citrus, so you can also try placing orange or lemon peels around your begonia.

Finally, you can just ensure your cat isn’t bored. Provide them with cat grass or catnip and play with them when they start getting into mischief. This is almost always a universal sign that your cat is bored and looking for attention.

What Other Plants Contain Soluble Calcium Oxalates?

Both insoluble and soluble calcium oxalates are found in various plants. Here, we’re only looking at soluble calcium oxalates as that’s what is found in begonias.

Keep your cat away from all these plants as they all will make your cat very sick or worse.

Conclusion

So, whether you have begonias in your home or in your garden and an outdoor cat, you’ll need to take steps to ensure your cat’s safety. This might mean you have to get rid of all the begonias and replacing them with more cat-friendly plants.

All these flowers are technically safe for cats, although you still don’t want your cat to be constantly feasting on them.

Otherwise, have lots of cat enrichment in place – cat trees, toys, and lots of love and attention might help keep your cat away from your begonias. As beautiful as begonias are, isn’t your cat’s health and safety the most important thing?

Featured Image Credit: Pixabay