Aloe Vera is known to be a medicinal plant for humans and many products are filling our supermarket shelves. But did you know it can also be beneficial to your cats?
Be careful as some parts are toxic. Let's review the details and many applications of Aloe Vera.
Did you know? Often named Barbados Aloe, First Aid Plant, or Burn Aloe, it is also called the "plant of immortality" as it can bloom without soil.
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Toxicity
There are two parts to distinguish: the gel and the latex. While the gel is safe for cats, the latex is toxic for your beloved pet.
By the way, if you ask yourself, the latex is a thin layer of yellow liquid between the skin and the gel. It has powerful laxative properties as it contains some components like the aloin.
Even the taste of Aloe is very bad, some cats eat a bit anyway. If you suspect yours did so, watch the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
The many uses of Aloe for your pet
It is recommended to purchase your Aloe products since it is safer and easier. You can find it as a juice, for internal use, or as a gel to apply externally.
You can also use the gel from a broken Aloe plant leaf, but be careful to remove correctly the toxic part!
Usages on skin
Aloe works great on your feline's skin. It can be applied to soothe and treat surface conditions and itchy parts or being a moisturizer.
Do you remember it is named "Burn Aloe"? it is well deserved as it is effective in healing first and second-degree burns.
And it will also help to reduce exposure to cold and wind on frostbite.
More healing factors
There are many more usages to the Aloe Vera. It can neutralize ear mites and has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Because it contains prostaglandins, it will also lessen inflammation.
Digestion
As mentioned earlier, the latex part is a powerful laxative and is dangerous for cats. But Aloe juice, on the other hand, is recommended to help decrease stomach and intestine irritation.
Notes of Caution
As we saw, Aloe has plenty of interesting usages, however, some precautions must be observed.
Do not use it internally in a long term, 2 weeks should be the maximum. And if your cat is nursing a kitten, Aloe would pass through the mother's milk, so it is forbidden.
Do not let your feline eat the plant directly as it contains some latex. Only the gel and juice are safe. That is why buying a product is safer, but check it does not contain the mention "Aloes", this is the commonly used name for extracted latex.
And as usual, if you notice any medical conditions, consult your veterinarian. This is also a good idea if your cat already has a treatment, this way you can avoid possible drug interactions.
Don't forget to check our page dedicated to the Aloe Vera