Hortensia, commonly known as hydrangea, is a flowering plant that can be toxic to cats if ingested. While not technically an allergy, hydrangeas contain cyanogenic glycosides which release cyanide when chewed or digested by cats. This makes hydrangeas poisonous to felines.
Hydrangeas are popular ornamental shrubs that are commonly found in gardens and landscaping across the United States. They are known for their large clusters of colorful flowers that can range from white to pink to blue depending on soil pH.
Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but is generally not life-threatening.
Ingestion can result in mild symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. Rarely fatal but may require veterinary care.
Eating these plants can lead to more pronounced symptoms like abdominal pain, lethargy, or difficulty breathing. Veterinary intervention may be necessary.
Ingesting even small amounts can cause severe symptoms like organ damage, seizures, or cardiac failure without rapid treatment.
All parts of these plants are extremely poisonous to cats and can quickly lead to death, even with immediate veterinary care.
** Please note: Please note that toxicity level can vary based on the amount ingested and the specific cat. It's always best to keep these plants completely inaccessible to cats and seek immediate veterinary care or call the poison hotline if you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a toxic plant.
If a cat ingests hortensia leaves, buds or flowers, it may experience symptoms of toxicity. Common signs to watch for include:
In severe cases, hydrangea poisoning can cause:
If you suspect your cat has eaten parts of a hortensia plant, it’s important to seek veterinary care right away. Your vet will likely perform the following diagnostic steps:
Hortensias are native to Asia and the Americas, with the greatest diversity found in China, Korea and Japan. The name “hydrangea” comes from the Greek words “hydor” meaning water and “angos” meaning vessel, referring to the cup-like shape of the seed capsules.
Hortensias were first cultivated in Japan. They were introduced to Europe in the 18th century and quickly became popular ornamental garden plants. Today there are over 75 species of hydrangeas with countless cultivars in a wide range of colors and forms.
Please note: The information shared in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as veterinary medical advice.
