Learn why arrowroot is cat-friendly and get practical tips to keep your feline safe around houseplants.
As a pet owner ensuring your furry friends’ safety and wellbeing is one of your top priorities. While you may have pet-proofed your home already some common houseplants can still pose a danger to pets. One such plant is arrowroot, a tropical plant used often in cooking. Although beneficial for humans, arrowroot contains toxins harmful to cats and dogs. This comprehensive guide will provide pet owners with everything they need to know to keep their pets safe from arrowroot.
What is Arrowroot?
Arrowroot, also known by its scientific name Maranta arundinacea, is a hardy perennial herb native to tropical regions of South America. This plant gets its name from its arrow-shaped leaves and the fact that indigenous people used its starch-rich rhizomes to treat poison arrow wounds.
For centuries, arrowroot has been cultivated for its edible starchy tubers which are dried and powdered to produce arrowroot flour. Thanks to its neutral flavor gluten-free nature and thickening properties this starch is a popular ingredient in many foods like cookies, cakes, sauces, and even some dairy products.
Why Arrowroot is Toxic to Pets
While arrowroot is perfectly safe for human consumption, it contains toxins that make it poisonous to household pets like cats and dogs. Specifically, arrowroot contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. If consumed, these needle-like crystals can cause injuries and inflammation in the mouth, tongue, throat and stomach lining.
Some common symptoms of arrowroot poisoning in pets include:
- Drooling
- Swelling and redness of mouth and throat
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Bloody stools
- Lethargy
- Kidney failure
In severe cases, arrowroot poisoning can even be fatal without prompt veterinary treatment.
Tips to Keep Pets Safe
Since arrowroot poses such a severe toxicity risk for household pets, owners need to take precautions to protect their furry friends. Here are some helpful tips:
-
Store arrowroot flour and arrowroot-containing foods out of pets’ reach, ideally in cupboards too high for them to access.
-
Never feed pets food containing arrowroot. Check all ingredient labels carefully.
-
Supervise pets closely whenever you are cooking or baking with arrowroot flour to ensure they don’t lick any spillages.
-
Put away any leftovers containing arrowroot straight after meals. Never leave them unattended on counters or tables.
-
Consider using pet-safe bittering agents on any houseplants to deter chewing and ingestion.
-
Keep all arrowroot plants in outdoor gardens away from pets’ access. Grow them in hanging baskets or on high shelves if indoors.
-
Educate yourself on other common toxic plants – lilies, sago palms, tulips, daffodils etc. Avoid keeping these in your home or garden.
What to Do if Your Pet Ingests Arrowroot
If you suspect your pet has ingested any amount of arrowroot, immediate veterinary care is vital. Call your vet right away if you notice any concerning symptoms. You may need to bring a sample of the arrowroot product your pet ate to help identify toxins.
Your vet may advise inducing vomiting unless symptoms (like mouth swelling) have already begun. In some cases, activated charcoal can help absorb toxins before they enter the bloodstream.
Supportive veterinary hospitalization with IV fluids and medication may be required to treat kidney damage from arrowroot poisoning. Recovery lasting days or even weeks is common, depending on the severity of kidney injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use arrowroot in homemade pet treats or food?
No, arrowroot should never be used in homemade pet food. It poses too much of an ingestion risk. Stick to pet-safe ingredients only.
Are there any antidotes for arrowroot poisoning?
Unfortunately no specific antidotes exist to counteract arrowroot toxins. That’s why timely veterinary care is so important to manage symptoms and minimize kidney damage.
What other common plants are toxic for pets?
Many popular houseplants like lilies, chrysanthemums, tulips, azaleas, philodendrons, sago palms, and daffodils are toxic for pets and should be avoided. Research any new plants thoroughly before introducing them into your home.
Can arrowroot harm other pets like rabbits or birds?
Yes, the toxins in arrowroot pose risks not just for cats and dogs but also other household pets like rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, birds and reptiles. It’s best kept away from all animals.
How do I thoroughly arrowroot-proof my home?
Check for any arrowroot flour in your pantry and place it in sealed containers in high cupboards. Remove arrowroot houseplants or grow them well out of paws’ reach. Never leave arrowroot-containing food unattended. Also keep all trash cans lidded so pets can’t scavenge through them.
Conclusion
While arrowroot is an invaluable kitchen staple for many home cooks, it can pose a grave danger to household pets who may ingest it either intentionally or accidentally. By safely storing arrowroot products, supervising pets around food preparation, and acting fast if ingestion occurs, owners can mitigate risks and keep their furry companions safe. With vigilance and proper education on arrowroot dangers, owners can confidently use this plant worry-free!
Is Arrowroot a Friend or Foe to Felines?
Cats are obligate carnivores; their bodies are not designed to handle certain plant-based compounds. Toxicity in plants usually stems from specific chemicals that can cause anything from mild irritation to severe health issues in cats.
️ The Verdict on Arrowroot
Moderation is key. The verdict from the vet community is clear: arrowroot is not inherently harmful to cats, but its also not necessary for their diet. The presence of oxalates in arrowroot raises a flag for potential kidney issues, so if youre considering it as a treat, keep it sparse. Always consult your vet before introducing new foods to your cats menu, especially if they have a history of digestive sensitivity or allergies.