Still searching...
How about this one?
"The San Diego Poison Information Center Microfilm Index shows all begonias non-toxic and had recorded no cases of harmful effects. The only cautionary word was a warning to avoid eating plants which had been sprayed with insecticides, especially, systemic insecticides."
http://www.begonias.org/Articl...
It sounds like it should be reliable, but I couldn't find any substantiating information when I searched for
San Diego Poison Information Center Microfilm Index, so once again it seems to be a rather iffy statement.
On the flip-side, many sources report variations on this theme, but I still haven't found any posts that were actually delivered from any affected pet's owner.
"Insoluble calcium oxalate-containing plants include several types of common plants, including the Araceae family of plants, Dieffenbachia, Calla lily, Arrowhead, Dumbcane, Peace Lily, Philodendron, Pothos, Umbrella Plant, Elephant’s Ear, Chinese Evergreen, and Schefflera. Chewing or biting into these plant releases the crystals which penetrate tissue resulting in injury. When dogs or cats ingest insoluble calcium oxalate-containing plants, clinical signs may be seen immediately and include pawing at face (secondary to oral pain), drooling, foaming, and vomiting. Moderate to severe swelling of the lips, tongue, oral cavity, and upper airway may also be seen, making it difficult to breathe or swallow."
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.c...
This (partial) post seems to give the best idea of
why cats might be much more easily affected by certain plants than we would be.
"Cats have an unusually low amount of glucuronyl transferase enzymes in phase 2 metabolism; this means that many substances are toxic to them."
http://www.apartmenttherapy.co... (originally posted by
Emmi in follow-up posts)
So...I think it would be best (for me) to err on the side of caution and just let those plants go with the change of season. Either that, or start a tiny plant of each and keep them on my one available (but usually overflowing
) very high and inaccessible shelf for the winter.
