How do I know if my cat has had an allergic reaction to a toxic plant? Minimize swelling. Another toxic plant that is commonly found in UK homes at Christmas time is the poinsettia. 6 What should I do if my cat got stung by an insect? If your cat is stung by a bee or wasp they are most likely to suffer from a swollen paw or face, which are the most common places for cats to be stung. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to tell when you should seek medical attention for a nettle sting, read on! Even though the pain can be intense during the first few minutes, by avoiding any touching or rubbing, you may prevent the pain from lingering for days. The nutritional value of its protein is better than meat! This article has 27 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Support wikiHow by Again, this would be a time to use an antihistamine recommended by your vet. Their fur can indeed protect to some extent. 2. To learn more, like how to identify different species of stinging nettles, read on! The sting and rash from the plant are painful, but can be treated. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The stinging hairs act a lot like a hypodermic needle when your skin brushes against them. Try not to scratch the area, as this can cause the irritation to get worse. The toothed leaves are borne oppositely along the stem, and both the stems and leaves are covered with numerous stinging and non-stinging trichomes (plant hairs). Last Updated: December 22, 2022 Although the animals will not eat the plants when they are living, after the nettles are cut and dried they are a great fodder. Nettle stings can cause severe irritation to our pets and sometimes the pet will not put their weight through the affected feet to avoid the pain. When ingested, stinging nettle can result in profuse salivation, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, labored breathing, muscle fasciculations (twitching) and ataxia. There are 5 subspecies of which 4 have stinging hairs. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Jewelweed is a small plant that usually grows around the nettles plant. Apply any treatments gently to the area by using a dabbing motion to prevent further irritation. The actual science behind the use of plants to treat this condition is very limited. This can take 2 to 3 weeks, and you may still experience itching in the meantime. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. (For use as a vegetable they need to be young. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Do not handle this plant without gloves. What are some examples of how providers can receive incentives? They will eventually form a crust once fully dry and begin to heal. It is found in both wet and dry grounds and shade and open prairie. Nettles get a bad rap for their harsh sting, but they're edible for humans and animals alike, and quite nutritious! Our livestock and ducks love to forage in them. Stinging nettles are a menace to dogs. A rash that extends beyond the exposed area, and can be all over the body. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The content of this page is not veterinary advice. Nettles not only boost your pets immune system, but theyre also natural diuretics that help your cat and dog get rid of waste from the body and are great a natural remedy for those pets that often suffer from allergies. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. The irritation and rash are usually short lived and do not cause an ongoing rash like poison ivy does. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You usually find nettles growing on the edge of woodlands. How do you treat a bee sting on the eye? The plant grows in height from 20 inches (50.8cm) to about 50 inches, and the leaves grow to be about 16 inches (41cm) long. It is considered either a subspecies of the common North . European Nettle is an erect perennial which spreads by rhizomes. Alternatively, the tablets or syrup can be placed carefully on the back of your pets tongue and their mouth held closed until the entire dose has been swallowed. Though it grows abundantly as a weed, stinging nettle is also sometimes cultivated as a food plant. Their high nitrogen content also makes them a natural compost activator. Capsules: Take 8-12g of dried leaf per day or 4-6g of dried root daily. It may also encourage bleeding and cause uterine contraction. A tight feeling in your chest that makes it hard to breathe. Nettles can sting dogs paws leading to intense itching and chewing. Stinging nettles are great for wildlife Later in the year small seed-eating birds, including chaffinch, bullfinch and house sparrow all benefit from the thousands of small seeds which each nettle plant produces. How do you get over him when he has a new girlfriend? Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. May Reduce . This is great for recipes that use cooked nettles, and for making fresh herbal infusions. They are an excellent source of nutrition. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. How long does it take for stinging nettle to go away? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash. The chemical irritants from the plant can dry on the surface of the skin, then they can be removed by soap and water. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". It may be of interest to note that not all species of stinging nettle have literal stinging properties. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Pet Poison Helpline. Flowers of clearweed are in narrow racemes that are shorter than stinging nettle, at only about 1 inch (2.5cm) long. The sting and rash from the plant are painful, but can be treated. Stinging nettle If touched, these needle-like hairs inject the stinging acid into the skin, triggering a burning, tingling sensation and an itchy rash. A jewelweed plant is the same plant as an impatiens. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. For cut or torn foot pads and broken nails, control the bleeding and treat as described in the articles First Aid for Torn Foot Pads and First Aid for Broken Nails. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Minimize swelling. Flowers of spearmint are a light pinkish-purple. The plant has been shown to cleanse the body of metabolic waste and increase production of red blood cells. Nettle, also known as Urtica dioica or stinging nettle, is a plant that has many nutritive values. The tall plants, anywhere from 10 to 20 feet high, produce small whitish-green . Her recipes are simple, delicious, and healthy perfect for anyone who wants to cook like a pro! Enjoy! Id check with a veterinarian not the crazy internet really. All of them say that the root of stinging nettle has a substance that raise the free test, fights off a gynecomastia in teens going through the puberty, reduce the facial growth in young girls going thru puberty. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Fireweed (Urtica chamaedryoides), may not be a pasture weed that causes great economic losses from competition, but it can cause distress to people who come in contact with it in their pastures or around the farm. By using our site, you agree to our. The rash resembles nettles. Is a stinging nettle renewable energy? Hi Pamela. If you decide to harvest the plant yourself be careful it is called stinging nettle for a reason. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. He tried cortisone cream, but that didn't help. his ankles and calves). Tincture: 2.5-5mL three times a day (1:5 in 40%) Hot Tea Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-3 teaspoons of dried herb and infuse for 10-15 minutes. Call your doctor right away if you experience these symptoms or if you have a fever. Despite the fibrous stem of the plants, this food source is also easily digested by pigs, rabbits and poultry. When something brushes against these hairs, their very fragile silica tips break off, and the remainder of the hair can then act like a needle. There was poison ivy there as well, so was unsure what I got. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. They are used as treatments for cats , a sort of new age foo foo supplement. Chlorphenamine tablets or syrup can be put into a small amount of food that your pet likes and this can be given to your pet before their main dinner. I'm not sure if it's the nettle plant or not, but, "First of all, I rubbed the area vigorously as I was annoyed. Can I give my cat Benadryl for a bee sting? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. 4 Would you go blind if a bee sting you in the eye? Historically, they have been dried and used as a nutrient-dense winter food for livestock. It is a member of the Urticaceae family, which includes as many as 500 species worldwide. References However, some plants have smooth stems so you should also check for leaves that are long, with coarsely serrated edges and a pointed end. This sweetens the tea, albeit in a weird, licorice sort of way, and the licorice itself may help Fill the jar with boiling water Let it sit 4-8 hours to get incredibly strong Some of the most reported symptoms in dogs who have brushed against or ingested the stinging nettle are: Redness of the skin Swelling of the skin Hives Intense itching and burning Vomiting Drooling Diarrhea Pawing at the mouth Labored breathing Loss of coordination Dilated pupils Twitching muscles They are used as treatments for cats , a sort of new age foo foo supplement. If youve ever wondered if stinging nettles hurt dogs then the answer is yes. A bit of time with google turned up: "Nettle is the green vegetable rich in protein. Use gloves to collect leaves and stems. Once you cook the leaves in boiling water, the needles will no longer be able to hurt you. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The stinging sensation can last from half an hour to a few days, depending on the sensitivity of your skin. A rash that includes redness, itching, and inflammation may persist since the skin has been injured from the direct contact from the stinging nettle plant. After 10 minutes, wash your skin with soap and warm water or a clean cloth. Hemp nettle has been deemed a noxious weed in some parts of North America. Stinging nettles are easily distinguished plants with a memorable sting. Why do nettle stings hurt for so long? Stinging nettles can sting dogs, despite all the fur your dog may have. Dogs with a thick double-coat of fur might be slightly more protected from stinging nettles, since their top coat is meant to protect their skin from being hurt by thorns and brambles. All true nettles are a part of the Nettle Family. If you have fresh nettles, just stuff a jar full (the stingers will vanish in the hot water) If you have it, you can add a piece of licorice root or a bit of ground root. Soak the foot in warm Epsom salts water to relieve swelling. Most people remember stinging nettles from the "bite" these plants cause when touched. For tips from our Medical co-author on how to tell when you should seek medical attention for a nettle sting, read on! Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Can stinging nettles hurt cats? This article has been viewed 177,887 times. This plant has been known to be a leading cause of bacterial skin infections which can rapidly spread on the pet's skin in wet, humid and hot situations, which could lead to death if not treated immediately. She received her M.D. In place of the sting, nettle root tincture or cream can also be used topically for this purpose. If the cat was stung by a bee (rather than a wasp), the stinger is likely to be embedded in the cats skin. Mammals in general, including your dog or cat, respond to nettles much as humans do. Calamine lotion applied to the paw pads will soothe the area, but your dog will immediately try to lick this off. Chemicals flow through the hollow tubes and cause a nasty stinging sensation and a rash. You can also cut nettles to lay, as they are, around larger plants or shrubby fruits, where they will serve as a valuable mulch. First Aid Remedies for Cat Bee Stings But if you see that your cat is uncomfortable or the swelling is causing a problem, ask your vet if you can give your cat over-the-counter diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. Subscribe: youtube.com/user/yourdiscoveryscience?sub_confirmation=1Lik. Stinging nettle is often considered a "weed" due to its promiscuous growth habits. Why does stinging nettle hurt so much? Some anecdotal evidence shows strong doses of fresh stinging nettle made into a soup or strong tea can be helpful. Rash. Your cat will experience some localised pain and irritation from the sting, just like a human, but this should go away after a short period of time. Soothe the bite site. The stinging hairs, called trichomes, are hollow like hypodermic needles with protective tips. The toxic effects of insect venom can also kill large amounts of eye cells, leading to temporary, or in some cases, permanent partial or complete vision loss. If your cat has multiple stings or bites, a soothing oatmeal bath is the way to go. Now we treat it with Manuka honey and it soothes it, but it still recurs. If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Who wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots? Crush the nettles. By using our site, you agree to our. Ratings: +83,410. Nettle stings can cause severe irritation to our pets and sometimes the pet will not put their weight through the affected feet to avoid the pain. Flower clusters are droopy like stinging nettle, but they are born on cymes (branching flower clusters) at the top of the plant. A very common plant, the stinging nettle can be found growing in gardens, hedgerows, fields, woodlands and many other habitats. On the one hand, this means that your dog won't necessarily be in a hurry to shove their face into a bushel of nettles. unlocking this expert answer. Add some stinging nettle extract to your cats canned food or water to help relieve congestion and sneezing. Apply the antibiotic cream or ointment directly to the areas involved. This article has been viewed 177,887 times. These plants also grow naturally in the same areas where you may come across a stinging nettle. If the stinger is still in the wound, it should be removed right away. It pierces the skin, and releases a cocktail of various chemicals from the base of the hair, and it's these that cause . 10-15 drops for medium-sized dogs and 20-30 drops for larger breeds. If your dog eats stinging nettles, it's likely they'll have some discomfort and mild gastrointestinal illness. Generally, all dogs of any age and breed are just as vulnerable to stinging nettle stings as one another. Cough. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Can stinging nettles hurt dogs? The chemical content found in the juice from the leaves and stem of a jewelweed plant is reportedly effective at counteracting the sting from a stinging nettle. I was picking raspberries wearing a t-shirt. Nettle stings can be itchy and you may feel a stinging or burning sensation. The high vitamin C content of the nettle extract helps the body absorb the quercetin, and they work together to bring down inflammation and support the immune system, among other benefits, listed above. What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Pets may have an allergic reaction to this plant if they come in contact with it, so due diligence is needed to keep them away and keep them safe. body. My Russian won't eat them so far but that's okay. These hairs contain chemicals, such as formic acid and histamine, which can irritate the skin and cause stinging, itching, and redness . "My husband walked through some nettles while we were in the Greek Islands in 2012 and got the rash from it (only on. Even today, nettles are steamed and dried for stews and tea. Purslane. First Aid for Insect Stings in Cats. Nettles are a cooling herb so work well for those pets that are always hot. Cooked stinging nettles can be used in place of cooked spinach in many recipes. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Follow the package directions. If what you found is all black then may not be stinging nettle, although some have black tinges when assumed to have a lot of iron content, perhaps from high amounts in the soil its growing in. The lower leaves have a reddish color to their stems. The plant itself tends to be a little darker green than stinging nettle. Stinging nettle tea can reduce your allergy reactions by stopping or slowing down your body's histamine production when you encounter an allergen. floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK. 1. Youll also notice tiny, stinging hairs on both the upper and undersides of the leaves. True to its name, stinging nettle imparts a painful sting through tiny hairs on the underside of its leaves and on its stems. Some paw waxes might reduce stinging and soothe afterwards. Toxicity to pets This causes erythema (redness), swelling, and intense itching. By avoiding any rubbing or touching at first, the chemicals are not pushed further into the skin, which can cause the painful reaction to last longer, possibly even days. Home Vegetables Do Nettles Sting Cats? The tiny hairs on the leaves and stems of this plant can cause significant irritation and burning to any part of the body that comes in contact with this plant. Is it good to have nettles in your garden? Stinging nettle is native to western North America, Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and introduced elsewhere. Apply over-the-counter topical products containing hydrocortisone to treat the rash. It doesn't really hurt and if you grab the stems low down they don't sting anyway. What should I do if my cat got stung by an insect? After all, it is just like our hair, stings can still get through. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. Cats need to stay away from the leaves, sap and the stems of poinsettia as they are all poisonous. Pour fresh water over the area without touching. The coolness of the product will have a soothing effect, and the active properties of the cream or ointment can help prevent infection. Stinging nettle has significant health benefits for many illnesses, but, All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Do I need to take my cat to the vet for a bee sting? . Usually this inflorescence consists of a main, dense spike, and two smaller, lateral spikes. Higher or lower blood sugar levels. Uses for Animals. Or, you can rub the leaves of jewelweed on the affected area. Fen nettle ( Urtica galeopsifolia) is found in a confusingly variable set of environments in England. Finding mixed results on the Google. Stinging nettle does not seem like the kind of plant anyone would want to harvest, let alone put into their mouth. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash. Stinging nettles can cause a rash and other symptoms if people touch them. This acid can redden the skin and cause a non-spreading rash that can last up to 24 hours. The reason for this is that stinging nettles contain fine hairs and chemicals that irritate human skin. The bee stinger contains toxins that can cause inflammation. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If your cat is stung by a bee or wasp they are most likely to suffer from a swollen paw or face, which are the most common places for cats to be stung. But if you get stung on the eyelid or cornea, you should seek attention from an ophthalmologist. The tips break off when touched, unsheathing the sharp needles. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. Dogs have body areas with little to no fur, like their bellies. Hundreds of species of plants that are commonly called "nettles" exist in the world, many which are named because of the similarity to a common weed known as Stinging Nettle or Common Nettle (Urtica dioica) by leaf shape, growth habit, or stinging ability thanks to the tiny needle-like hairs that exude a skin-irritant when touched. The plant is considered an herbaceous perennial, meaning that it has herbal properties and grows back in the same areas year after year. General Uses. But putting on gloves takes care of the harvesting problem. A number of factors (amount of substance ingested, size of the animal, allergies, etc.) Stinging nettle stems (singular, never branched) can get as tall as about 1.5 feet (0.46 m) to 9 feet (2.7 m). You can take an NSAID pain reliever for pain as long as you have no contraindication. The following stinging nettle dosage is recommended for most inidvduals. This can be done wearing gloves to ensure you don't get stung. And cooking or drying . Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, is a perennial flowering plant that grows in North America, Europe, and Asia. Avoid walking through nettles. Also known as heartleaf nettle, this plant is notorious for causing a burning sensation when it makes contact with bare skin. The leaves, stems, and roots have been used for food, medicine, cordage, and dye for millennia. Can stinging nettles hurt cats? The stems are sharply angled (typically 4-angled), often with bristly-pubescent stinging hairs. There is also some branching on each flowering stem. The leaves are very large, oval, have rounded tips, and have a wavy look to the edges. Itching. Dried nettles can also be given to animals. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. When ingested, stinging nettle can result in profuse salivation, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, labored breathing, muscle fasciculations (twitching) and ataxia. Why do stinging nettles hurt so much? . Toxicity to pets This causes erythema (redness), swelling, and intense itching. To avoid the nettle sting, we just wear long sleeves and gloves when we are handling fresh nettle plants. Unlike below I'm speaking from first hand experience. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Nettle stings can cause severe irritation to our pets and sometimes the pet will not put their weight through the affected feet to avoid the pain. Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. Apply antibiotic creams or ointments. Boil the nettles. A sting near the eye can be treated with a simple, cold compress. Are stinging nettles poisonous? Erect stems growing three to seven feet tall are lined with soft-green pointed leaves with serrated edges. The sting causes any predator that may eat the plant or uproot it to stay clear. Occasional side effects include mild stomach upset, fluid retention, sweating, diarrhea, and hives or rash (mainly from topical use). Blanching the leaves briefly in boiling water will also remove the stingers. A sting near the eye can be treated with a simple, cold compress. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Wendy B. Zomlefer shares in the publication "Stinging . We use cookies for our legitimate interests of providing you with personalized content, enabling you to more easily use our website, evaluating use of our website, and assisting with ad reporting functions. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 2. Stinging nettle ( Urtica dioica) is a fast-growing herbaceous perennial that is usually regarded as a weed but is occasionally grown as a garden plant. Last Updated: September 2, 2022 These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Stinging nettle, in most areas, is a native perennial, and a sign of what is called in ecology as "succession" where forb plants are growing in Nature's attempt to cover exposed soil. Horses don't usually eat stinging nettle, but if they lie down or roll on the plant, glassy hairs from the plant's leaves and stems cause a skin reaction characterized by wheals or hives and an intensely painful stinging sensation that may last 24 hours or more. Since it has anti-inflammatory properties it may help with sinus pressure and swelling. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines might also help to counteract the reaction that is occurring in your body.