Orchids are one of the most popular potted plants to have around your home. This plant is notorious for producing beautiful flowers, and there are several orchid species to choose from.
However, if you have cats around the home, they can enjoy taking a nibble out of plant matter sometimes. If it looks yummy, your kitty is going to try their luck!
But as we’re sure you’re aware, not every plant is safe for cats to eat. In fact, there are so many houseplants which are actually toxic plants.
So it will be important to make a note of which plants are safe for your cats to be around in the home.
Ideally, you won’t want them to eat your plant at all. But if your plants are toxic, this could be fatal for your cat.
So Are Orchids Toxic?
The great news is that the orchid plant actually isn’t toxic for your cats. Even though there are lots of varieties of orchids to choose from.
The vast majority of these common houseplants that you will have around your home will actually be perfectly safe if your cat just so happens to eat them.
Today, we’re going to take a closer look at how orchids are non-toxic plants for your cat, and which plants should be firmly kept away from your furry friend.
What Happens If A Cat Eats An Orchid?
So what will happen if your furry friend does decide to nibble on your orchid? The great news is that if they were to eat orchid flowers, this shouldn’t make them sick.
Whereas other toxic plants can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, gastrointestinal irritation, skin irritation, mouth irritation, abdominal pain, and other issues, you shouldn’t find this with orchid flowers.
However, make sure to not assume that absolutely every single variety of orchid is a non-toxic plant.
While the vast majority of these are perfectly safe to have around the home, there may be the occasional exotic variety which is best to keep away from your pets.
Of course, you won’t really want to encourage your pets to eat the fresh flowers from your orchid plant anyway. But it’s better to err on the side of caution to avoid accidentally poisoning your furry friend!
Why Do People Think Orchids Are Toxic To Cats?
We now know that orchids aren’t considered to be poisonous plants for your cat. So why do people assume they are? Well, there are two main reasons.
Firstly, some people believe that orchids produce toxins called alkaloids. These alkaloids can potentially harm your pet if they consume enough of the plant material.
Secondly, some people believe that the smell of orchids can be unpleasant for cats.
However, alkaloid levels in orchids are very low, and the only thing that would harm your cat is if they ate too much of the plant material if it were covered in fertilizer.
And while the smell of orchards can be quite strong, your cat doesn’t need to worry about this. It is important to note that any fertilizer that you have placed in your orchid pot will be toxic for your cat.
So it will be key to keep the plant out of reach once you have fertilized them, so you can avoid any unwanted trips to the vet.
How To Keep Your Orchid Plant Safe From Your Cat
To ensure that your beautiful orchid is able to stay intact, you will want to keep it away from your furry friend. You will need to place it somewhere where your cat cannot get to it.
This could be anywhere from the kitchen counter to the garage. Just make sure that you don’t leave it lying around where your cat might be able to get to it if they have displayed a penchant for munching on flowers.
You can also use seashells or rocks along the top of your orchid’s soil to prevent them from trying to get to the plant’s roots.
Your orchid will need well draining loose soil to stay happy anyway, so it will love the addition of rocks.
Try dusting your orchid leaves or flower petals with cayenne pepper or cinnamon. One nibble of this dusting will be enough to put your cat off chewing your pretty orchid in the future!
Is An Orchid Pet Friendly?
Yes, an orchid is a pet friendly plant. In fact, orchids are considered to be one of the most pet friendly plants around.
This is because if your cat or other pet were to accidentally eat an orchid, they shouldn’t notice too much stomach upset or other issues.
This means that you should feel comfortable leaving your orchid outside all year round without worrying about whether your pet will try to eat it.
If you’re worried about your furry friend attempting to eat your orchid, you can use some of the methods that we have mentioned above to get your pet to leave the plant alone.
Which Plants Are Toxic To Cats?
So now that we know orchids are safe plants to have around your home, you will need to think about which plants are actually toxic to cats.
Some of the most common houseplants which are toxic for pets include the peace lily, amaryllis, the autumn crocus, daffodils, chrysanthemums, narcissus, rhododendrons, and azaleas.
If you have any of these plants in or around your home, you will need to ensure that your cat doesn’t eat them.
If you suspect that your pet has eaten one of these, and they are displaying symptoms of poisoning, you will need to take them to your vet immediately.
In Summary
So there you have it! Despite popular belief, orchid plants are actually not toxic for cats if they were to eat them.
In fact, out of all the popular plants that people choose to have in their home, this indoor plant is actually one of the most pet friendly for your feline friends.
So there’s no need to worry about your furry friend eating the orchid flowers for any other reason than it might upset your plant.
The orchid is generally considered to be safe plants for homes with pets.
I am aiming to shed new light on these amazing pets and hopefully change some people’s opinions on them. Also, let’s talk about wild cats - they’re just as awesome as domestic cats!
So, stay a while and learn more about domestic and wild cats from Windhaven Ocicats.
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