The birch fig is often found as a houseplant in living rooms and offices, thanks to its evergreen foliage and undemanding care. In view of the abundantly flowing plant sap, cat owners rightly have doubts about its harmlessness. Read here to what extent a Benjamini is poisonous for your house cat.
Chewing on the Ficus Benjamini can have serious consequences for cats
Highly toxic to cats and other pets
The white sap of a birch fig contains various toxins such as furocoumarins, flavonides, resin or rubber. In this combination, even small amounts are enough to cause serious problems to your furry friend:
- Increased salivation
- staggering, disorientation
- Vomit
- diarrhea
If the cat eats several Benjamini leaves, paralysis or even circulatory collapse can occur. These sequelae also occur in dogs, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. While the milky sap of a Ficus benjamina is non-toxic to birds in tropical habitats, this is not the case for domesticated budgerigars and other species. They fly around freely in the apartment if there is no birch fig as a landing place.
If you suspect it, go to the vet immediately
If you see your cat eating the leaves, please consult a veterinarian immediately. At the latest when the symptoms mentioned occur, a visit to the veterinarian can be life-saving for your house tiger. If possible, take a sample of the ficus leaves with you. The more specifically the doctor can diagnose the poisoning, the more effective the treatment will be.
tips
For small children, the birch fig is considered slightly poisonous. If the toxins get into the stomach in large quantities, they trigger nausea and vomiting. In view of the bitter taste, the little ones usually spit out a leaf in disgust. However, as a precaution, a Benjamini should be placed out of the reach of babies and small children.