Euphorbia Melifera and my cat

21 years ago

My euphorbia melifera has just started to flower and is glorious!

But - one of may (recently acquired) cats takes a real interest in this plant in so much as he rubs his face up against the stems of the plant.

I had to take him to the vet yesterday as he had a badly inflamed eye and was off his food, the vet thought it was probably some form of cat flu (I have had them vaccinated, but they were rescue cats....), but wasn't absoulutely certain. He seemed to think posion would cause vomiting etc which my cat hasn't been, but I am somewhat concerned with his unhealthy interest in the Euphorbia.

He is on anti biotics and I'm sure he will recover very soon, however I am thinking it may be an idea to take the Melefera out and replace it with something (potentially) less dangerous.

Any advice, experience or suggestions?

(please don't suggest getting rid of the cat)

I do have other eupohorbias but none as large as the Melifera, as therefore nowhere near as tempting for him to rub up against.

Sorry to go on, but it is a major concern.

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Comments (8)

deeds1
21 years ago
Well all euphorbias have irritant sap, so I would say that it the problem rather than cat flu, as there are strains of cat flu which the jabs don't fully protect agaist, and usually there are other symptoms as well as just an inflamed eye.

Poison would have caused vomiting, but this is an irritant and if your cat is rubbing his head against the plant I would say that this is more than likely the problem.

Have you thought of maybe protecting the plant (and the cat)by putting some pricly branches near the plant to stop the cat getting near it, or maybe chicken wire?

Hope puss soon improves.
amanda1
21 years ago
I don't have much experience with euphorbias, so can't offer any advice from that point of view, however I do have a cat.

Do you have any catmint in your garden? Perhaps a few large bushes might prove more attractive than euphorbia. My cat can't leave the catmint alone if she gets a whiff of it.

You could surround the euphorbia with strategically placed catmints, so that your cat has to brush past them before reaching it. Alternatively, if this doesn't fit in with your planting scheme, how about growing it in another part of the garden and scattering a few stems on the ground near the euphorbia. It probably won't be as good, but even dried old leaves seem to retain their irresistable attraction for my cat.

I do hope you manage to resolve this one, both for the sake of your cat's eyes and for your pocket. Your vet's bills are going to enormous!
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garden_nerd
21 years ago
I've had a bad eye reacton from euphorbia sap so I wouldn't be surprised if your cat did too!
Try growing it in a tall pot?
Does it smell as nice as it says in the books?
FISBEY
Original Author
21 years ago
thanks for the replies - Robbie the cat is a little better but hates the pills and especially the eye lotion....

He had a slight temperature as well, but I must admit if it was cat flu I would have thought my other cat would be showing signs of it too...

I'm keeping my fingers crossed he gets over it - he;s living the high life at the moment - being fed prawns etc, and he is still very playful so there's definitely hope!

The Euphorbia smells very honey like especially at night which is nice, I did get some pepper stuff from the local garden centre which I hope will keep Robbie away - I will put some sticks or canes around the plant too.

If all else fails I will (reluctantly take the plant away and plant another less toxic shrub....

Fingers crossed.
FISBEY
Original Author
21 years ago
Hey Garden Nerd - happy birthday for the 22nd!

Mine's the 21st!
garden_nerd
21 years ago
If I'd been born a day later they'd have called me Georgina. As it is I got off lightly with Elizabeth as a second name. Was your Ma a royalist as well? Happy Birthday for Thursday!
FISBEY
Original Author
21 years ago
No, i don't think either of my parents were particularly royalist but I think their parents were, I was named after Sir Nigel Gressley (spelling?) a locomotive engineer!

Anyway the Euphorbias are going - all of them - I've decided they're too toxic to be near the cats, sad I know...

So I'm looking for a replacement for the Melifera - something different....
FISBEY
Original Author
21 years ago
OK the Melifera has gone and has been replaced by a very different shrub - a Deutzia Scbra Plena which I hope will be OK with the cats!

My other Euphorbias are now in large pots, two should be OK, but the 3rd (Schillingia or soemthing?) has very large roots and will have to be found a new home.

I also planted a Viburnum Davidii which is very nice.

Wisley was packed yesterday!

Euphorbia Melifera and my cat

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deeds1

amanda1

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Euphorbia Melifera and my cat

Comments (8)

deeds1

amanda1

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