With so many people spending more time at home, the desire to add some greenery to their living areas has only grown. After all, why not? Plants have several advantages, ranging from adding visual attractiveness to assisting with mental wellness and even cleaning the air. Having plants at home might be a little more difficult for those with dogs, especially if your furry buddy thinks a new plant is tasty.
Consider one of the succulents listed below if your pet enjoys nibbling on plants or if you don’t want to worry about your pet consuming one. It’s crucial to remember, however, that “non-toxic” does not imply “problem-free.” Because it is not part of their regular diet, some pets may have slight stomach discomfort if they consume any form of plant. It’s also a good idea to have a note of the scientific names of the plants in your home, as many common names can be confusing, and toxicity varies by species.
If swallowed, jade plants, also known as crassula ovata, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and inappetence. The Jade plant is also known as the Lucky plant, Money Tree, or Money plant, among other names. This is not to be confused with a Money Tree, which is also known as Pachira aquatica. Because the Jade plant can tolerate both low and high levels of light, keep it up high where your pet can’t get it.
The pencil cactus, also known as euphorbia tirucalli, is a cute little succulent with stems that are about the diameter of a pencil. If you’ve ever snapped a pencil cactus stem, you’ve seen the plant’s white sap or latex. Unfortunately, if your pet ingests the white stuff, it will cause problems. Vomiting and drooling are caused by an irritant in the sap. Eye irritation, such as redness, swelling, squinting, or pawing of the eyes, is also a risk if something goes near or in the eye. Corneal ulcers, which are ulcers on the surface of the eye, are conceivable in severe situations. Because these plants can be so dangerous to pets, it’s better to leave them at the store or put them somewhere your pet can’t get to them.
Sansevieria trifasciata, or Mother in Law’s Tongue, is well-known not only for its amusing name, but also for its resilience, making it an excellent beginner plant for those new to house plants. It is harmful to dogs and cats, causing vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and lethargy in those that consume it. It tolerates low or high levels of light, similar to the Jade plant, so you may keep it high up and out of paw’s reach!
Senecio rowleyanus, or string of pearls, is not always easy to come by, yet it is popular due to its unusual look. It can cause stomach upset–most commonly vomiting–as well as sleepiness if consumed. This plant has the advantage of being able to be hung, making it easier to keep out of reach of our animal friends.
Do you have a different succulent at home that you’re not sure if it’s poisonous? Take a look at the APCC’s complete list of poisonous and non-toxic plants!
Is Crassula ovata toxic to cats?
Crassula ovata, popularly known as jade plants, is a popular succulent houseplant. However, keep your pets away from jade plants because they can produce poisoning symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, incoordination, and a low heart rate.
Is Crassula jade toxic to cats?
Another succulent that is commonly found in homes. In fact, I had no idea we had this plant in our house with two cats until I started this article on plant toxicity. It was fortunately on a high shelf, but it has now been removed. The Jade plant (also known as Chinese Jade) is usually seen on bookshelves, fireplace hearths, and side tables, as we discovered. However, if your cat eats them, they can be poisonous.
Are Jade succulents toxic to cats?
Jade Plants (Crassula) are a type of rubbery plant that is notoriously difficult to destroy. Unfortunately, consuming Jade leaves can cause irritation in cats and dogs.
What happens if my cat eats my jade plant?
Cats that have consumed any component of the jade plant may vomit, show signs of decreased mobility or muscular control, and have their heart rate slow. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends that cats suffering from jade plant poisoning appear melancholy. Lack of grooming, lethargy, attitude changes, aggression, longer sleeping times, and hiding or finding isolated spaces for lengthy periods of time are all classic indications of depression in cats.
Are Sansevieria safe for cats?
Snake plants are widespread in office settings and residences because they thrive in low light. In some regions of the world, they’ve even been employed as herbal cures. However, if swallowed, the plants are dangerous. Large amounts can produce nausea and vomiting, and the plant’s toxin has a numbing effect, causing swelling of the tongue and throat. Dogs and cats are particularly susceptible to the plants’ toxicity, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Are Philodendrons toxic to cats?
For cats and dogs, the philodendron family, which includes Swiss cheese plant, heartleaf, and fiddle-leaf philodendron, has a mild to moderate toxicity level. Oral irritation, soreness and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing are all symptoms of oral irritation.
Are jade plants poisonous to animals?
The crassula genus contains about 1,500 species in the Crassulaceae family of South African plants, including the jade plant, and they all contain toxic compounds that are dangerous to dogs. Because the jade plant is a succulent, it grows well on its own, even when neglected, because the leaves, like a cactus, keep moisture for a long time. They come in a variety of designs and hues, but they always feature succulent leaves that look like cactus. Each has its unique personality, but they all have little star-shaped blooms that blossom in the spring. White, pink, orange, or a pale purple blossoms are possible.
The jade plant, sometimes known as the rubber plant, is extremely hazardous to dogs, causing stomach upset, irregular heartbeats, and sadness, among other symptoms. This popular plant may reach a height of five feet indoors and more than six feet outdoors. The thick, egg-shaped leaves are succulent and appear to be appealing to dogs. Toxins in the jade plant are unknown, yet they can harm any area of the body. If your pet consumes any part of a jade plant, you must immediately contact your veterinarian or a veterinary facility.
What happens if a cat eats a toxic plant?
The early indications and symptoms of poisoning might vary widely depending on the plant species consumed.
- Irritation around the mouth, itching, swelling, and red or watery eyes are all indications of irritants.
- Symptoms of poisoning include breathing difficulties, drooling, difficulty swallowing, excessive drinking, frequent urinating, overall weakness, or an erratic heartbeat if your cat’s organs have been harmed by consuming a toxic plant.
How do I stop my cat from eating my plants?
Making the plants unpleasant to your cat’s taste receptors is another effective method. Cats appreciate the flavor of plants, which is why they return to nibble on them again and again. Because cats dislike the taste or scent of citrus, combine water with lemon, lime, or orange juice and spritz your plants with it. The scent of citrus is often enough to keep your cat away. If she does nibble on the plant, a taste of citrus should deter her from doing so again.
If the fragrance and flavor of the citrus aren’t enough to deter her, try vinegar. Instead of spraying vinegar on your plants, soak cotton balls in a solution of water and vinegar and set them on top of the soil. The vinegar’s odor will keep your cat away from the plants, breaking her habit of eating or playing in them.
It’s not always the plants that your cat eats that’s the issue; sometimes it’s the planter itself that draws your cat in. You might find her digging in the dirt, supposing it’s a new litter box for her. Make sure your plant’s soil doesn’t have the same texture as her kitty litter. Also, to prevent your cat from digging into the planter, place beautiful rocks on top of the dirt.