Nature is beautiful. Many of us can appreciate and love the majesty of natural plants and flowers along with our favorite animals. The problem arises when these two entities do not match.
Many of us enjoy having plants in the house or in the garden, and we also like to have cats. The thing with cats is, they’re generally independent and do whatever they want to do.
We can’t usually watch them 24 hours a day and this means there’s a chance they can put themselves in danger.
With a cat’s curious nature, if you’ve got snake plants around the house – you’re probably feeling a little anxious to know if they’re toxic to your furry friend.
Luckily, this guide will cover that. We’ll look at what snake plants are and whether they’re toxic to cats.
What Is A Snake Plant And Is It Toxic To My Cat?
A snake plant or Dracaena trifasciata is a type of plant originally native to the Congo region of Africa. They’re one of the most beautiful plants, and they’re mostly an indoor plant now which gives your home a tropical vibe.
They have become a very popular houseplant over the years, evolving into one of the most common houseplants you’ll find in your friends’ or family’s houses.
Unfortunately, the snake plants’ toxic traits are real, and they are toxic to your cat.
This is because they have a toxin called saponin which they use to fend off bugs and other critters from eating it – which they are prone to do.
Saponin is great at dispensing with insects and bugs, but it also means it’s toxic to cats, dogs and other pets.
Luckily though, if you do already have a snake plant, there are some things you can do to prevent your favorite little buddy from getting sick.
We’ll tell you some of the best things you can do to help with your cat and your plant, and we’ll also cover what the warning signs are if your cat has ingested some toxic plant.
Stop Your Cat From Eating Snake Plants: What To Do
Here are some of the best tips for you to prevent your feline friend from getting too familiar with your snake plants.
Relocation Of The Snake Plant
It might sound obvious but if you do have a spare room where you can put the plant away from your cat, you should choose this option first.
Ensure the plant is well away from where your cat mainly frequents like its food bowl, bed and favorite seat.
Snake plants don’t really need to be too exposed to natural light or direct sunlight luckily, so you shouldn’t have to worry about which room it is in.
Raise The Snake Plant
If you can put your snake plant in a high area away from easy access, this can be a real gift for you. Cats are certainly inquisitive, so if they want to get access to the plant, they will.
Fortunately though, if they find it difficult due to lack of space for climbing, you will be able to stop them before they get too close.
There are stands available on the market that are specifically designed for houseplants like this, so if you don’t have a spare room – consider searching online for this kind of stand.
Deter Your Cat
There are some ways you can deter your cat from getting too close to the plant by making the area unpleasant to your cat.
You can either purchase cat repellent and spray that around the area or you can place citric smells or pepper smells around the surroundings. Cats hate these smells and won’t get dangerously close to the plant.
Ensure if you’re buying cat repellent that you read the label carefully. Sometimes these sprays can be detrimental to your plant and too much of this spray can be dangerous to your cat too and this is a potential disaster.
Provide An Alternative
There’s a product known as cat grass. This mimics plants and grass that cats often like to chew, but it’s good for them. It comes packed with nutrients and minerals which give your cat a boost in their health.
If they have this alternative, they’re less likely to be curious about the snake plant.
Place Alarms
Trip alarms when your cat gets too close to the plant can be placed down and give you enough warning that your feline is near to the plant.
It may also make your cat run away from the area and over time they will avoid that particular spot.
Warning Signs Your Cat Has Ingested Poisonous Plants
Pet owners need to be aware of the signs that their friends have been poisoned by a plant. If they have, they need veterinary treatment as soon as possible.
If your cat has eaten a part of this plant, they may show the following symptoms:
Vomiting and nausea
Diarrhea
Lower appetite
Swelling around the mouth and face
Pain in the tummy or intense burning
Abnormal production of saliva
Usually, cats will only eat a small amount of this plant because they find it extremely bitter. Sometimes they will even spit it back out. If they ingest a small amount, fatality is very unlikely, but they will get sick.
If your cat already has a chronic illness though, they could get much worse. Always consult a vet if you’re concerned, and they may do a physical examination.
Are There Other Houseplants That Are Toxic To Cats?
There are many houseplants that are toxic to cats. These include:
Jade
Aloe Vera
Japanese peace lilies
Pothos
Summary
Some houseplants can be dangerous for your furry friends, and you need to ensure you’re taking steps to protect them as much as you can.
We hope this has been helpful to all cat and plant lovers out there!
I’m Courtney Trent and I hope that I can answer some burning questions that you have about cats, as well as some questions that you’d never have thought to ask before.
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.
