True to its name, stinging nettle imparts a painful sting through tiny hairs on the underside of its leaves and on its stems. 7 - Fights allergy symptoms. Use gloves to collect leaves and stems. She believes that food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget or dietary restrictions. 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. Most people remember stinging nettles from the "bite" these plants cause when touched. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the sting site. Digestive discomfort. 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. "My husband walked through some nettles while we were in the Greek Islands in 2012 and got the rash from it (only on. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Pet Poison Helpline. % of people told us that this article helped them. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If your dog eats stinging nettles, it's likely they'll have some discomfort and mild gastrointestinal illness. Press J to jump to the feed. People also use it in herbal and. They are used as treatments for cats , a sort of new age foo foo supplement. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Sneezing. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Purslane is usually found growing out of . Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 10 minutes to reduce swelling. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The chemicals released by the plant include acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, moroidin, leukotrienes, and possibly formic acid. Hi Pamela. In place of the sting, nettle root tincture or cream can also be used topically for this purpose. To treat a sting from a stinging nettle, try not to touch the affected area so you don't rub the chemicals released by the plant further into your skin. The stinging hairs act a lot like a hypodermic needle when your skin brushes against them. . The content of this page is not veterinary advice. Remove the stinger, if it is still in place. Home Vegetables Do Nettles Sting Cats? 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. What should I do if my cat got stung by an insect? Products are available over-the-counter that contain a mixture of anti-infective agents. Because nettles grow very easily, there are many different varieties. She received her M.D. The chemical irritants from the plant can dry on the surface of the skin, then they can be removed by soap and water. If you decide to harvest the plant yourself be careful it is called stinging nettle for a reason. The nutritional value of its protein is better than meat! The sting and rash from the plant are painful, but can be treated. Is a stinging nettle renewable energy? Another toxic plant that is commonly found in UK homes at Christmas time is the poinsettia. Stinging nettle is native to western North America, Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and introduced elsewhere. The tall plants, anywhere from 10 to 20 feet high, produce small whitish-green . Mammals in general, including your dog or cat, respond to nettles much as humans do. 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. Dogs have body areas with little to no fur, like their bellies. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,200,919 times. Dog and cats- make a powder from dried herb and add to the animal's food or make dog/cat treats occasionally for boosted nutrition . 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. Hi Erma. Useful x 3; Like x 2; wiseowl, May 12, 2015 #7 Quote in Conversation. Over-the-counter oral antihistamines might also help to counteract the reaction that is occurring in your body. . Be aware of similar species that aren't stinging nettles, like false nettles, horse balms, white snakeroots, and hemp nettles. What system warns people of natural disasters? Why do nettle stings hurt for so long? Took several days to get better. Look at the stems. Minimize swelling. Is it good to have nettles in your garden? Study the entire plant to identify stinging nettles: the stems, roots, leaves, flower clusters, etc. Top 10 Most Dangerous and Poisonous Plants. They will eventually form a crust once fully dry and begin to heal. The lower leaves have a reddish color to their stems. The entire area can appear swollen and inflamed, with a reddish tint to the area affected. 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. 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. Even today, nettles are steamed and dried for stews and tea. For other plants known as "nettle", see Nettle. Flowers of clearweed are in narrow racemes that are shorter than stinging nettle, at only about 1 inch (2.5cm) long. Once the stinger is removed, keep a close eye on your kitty to watch for signs of a severe reaction. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. One of these chemicals is formic acid, which causes the painful rash. Nettles. There are six subspecies of stinging nettle, five of which have stinging properties. 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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Brennnessel_1.jpeg\/460px-Brennnessel_1.jpeg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/83\/Brennnessel_1.jpeg\/687px-Brennnessel_1.jpeg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":374,"bigWidth":688,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"