Unfortunately, the coffee plant contains saponins, toxins known to cause irritation of the skin of the cat or of its oral cavity and of the gastrointestinal tract if the toxin is eaten. Your cat may be exposed to these toxins or locally, if it rubs against the coffee tree, or by mouth, if it chews or eats a part of the tree. Symptoms include contact dermatitis (rash), vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, fatigue, general weakness and rapid heartbeat. Although coffee poisoning is a rare or life-threatening complication, it is still essential to take the cat to the vet for medical treatment as soon as possible. Probably your cat will need treatment to remove the toxin from his body and stabilize his condition. The coffee tree, also known as wild coffee, aralia with geranium and aralia leaves, is native to North America and Central America. In the United States, it is often used in residential development because of its height and dense foliage. If you see your cat touching or...
This blog contains ways to make good coffee, discussions between coffee lovers, various types of coffee, coffee presentations, and other related matters.