Fortunately, neither the blooms nor the components of the Christmas Cactus (or its relative, the Easter Cactus) are poisonous to dogs. For cats, the same rules apply. Fibrous plant matter, on the other hand, might irritate the stomach and intestines and induce vomiting or diarrhea.
The spines on these plants could hurt curious cats and dogs, especially kittens and puppies, so it’s still best to keep them out of reach from animals.
What occurs if a dog consumes a Christmas cactus?
You shouldn’t be alarmed if your pet consumes Christmas cactus as a treat for their teeth rather than their eyes. Christmas cacti are non-toxic to both dogs and cats, according to the ASPCA. Both the flowers and the cactus are harmless to animals. However, Margot Vahrenwald, DVM, owner of Park Hill Veterinary Medical Center in Denver, argues that non-toxic does not equate to safe. A large dose of fibrous material, she continues, “may upset the stomach and produce vomiting and diarrhea, even if it is not harmful.”
Therefore, be on the lookout for symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort if you notice your cat or dog biting into your Christmas cactus or discover bites missing from it. Calling your veterinarian for guidance on how to best support your pet as he recovers from his poor choice in munching material is never a bad idea, even if the symptoms are mild.
Are Christmas cacti toxic to humans?
Humans, cats, and dogs are not poisoned by the Christmas cactus. That is not to mean, however, that you should go feeding your dog cactus leaves for Christmas. The fibrous plant matter of the cactus can produce large amounts of diarrhoea and vomiting.
Cacti are harmful to dogs, right?
Although cactus are not poisonous when eaten, their sharp spines make them dangerous for animals. With species of the Opuntia (Prickly Pear) genus, exercise special caution.
Are dogs poisoned by Christmas plants?
Poinsettias are a common Christmas plant during the season. Despite their unfavorable reputation, cats and dogs may tolerate poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) plants in moderation. Diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents are compounds that can be discovered in the milky white sap of poinsettias. Although poinsettias are frequently “hyped as toxic plants,” this is grossly exaggerated and they are rarely poisonous. When consumed, there may be slight drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea symptoms. Dermal irritation (including redness, swelling, and itching) may appear if the milky sap is in contact with the skin. Rarely, exposure to the eyes can cause minor discomfort. Unless they are severe and persistent, symptoms are often self-limiting and don’t need medical attention. Poinsettia toxicity has no known treatment option. Nevertheless, unless there are serious clinical indications, medical care is rarely required because to the low amount of toxicity reported with poinsettia intake.
What creatures consume Christmas cacti?
Do mice consume cacti? They do, without a doubt, and they relish each and every meal. Many rodent species, including rats, gophers, and ground squirrels, like eating cactus. Although it would appear that spiky cactus would deter rodents, the hungry animals are willing to face the dangerous spines in order to reach the delicious nectar concealed beneath, especially during extended droughts. Rodents eating cactus can cause major issues for certain gardeners. One approach is to use poison, but you run the risk of endangering wildlife including birds. Continue reading for more tips on how to prevent rats from eating your cacti.
Which plants are harmful to dogs?
The following plants should never be made available to dogs under any circumstances since they are the most harmful to them: Castor oil or castor bean (Ricinus communis) Cyclamen (Cylamen spp.) Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)
Can you eat a Christmas cactus?
Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Cactus In the coastal mountains of southeast Brazil, there is a small genus of cactus called Schlumbergera that has 6–9 species of cacti.
In settings that are often dark and humid, plants grow on trees or rocks and might look very different from their desert-dwelling relatives.
Charles Lemaire founded the current genus Schlumbergera in 1858. The name honors Frdric Schlumberger, a Normandy chateau owner who amassed a collection of cacti.
Only one species, a plant identified in Brazil in 1837 and given the name Epiphyllum russellianum by William J. Hooker, was included in Lemaire’s new genus. Schlumbergera epiphylloides is the name Lemaire gave it (under the current rules of botanical nomenclature it should have been called Schlumbergera russelliana, which is its current name).
Lemaire recognized that his Schlumbergera epiphylloides was similar to a species that Adrian Hardy Haworth initially described as Epiphyllum truncatum in 1819, but he did not agree that the two species were in the same genus.
By incorporating Epiphyllum truncatum into Zygocactus truncatus, Karl Moritz Schumann established the new genus Zygocactus in 1890.
Zygocactus was later abandoned by him, and he later moved it back into Epiphyllum, but the generic name remained popular.
Lemaire’s practice of retaining Schlumbergera russelliana and Zygocactus truncatus in different genera was followed in 1913 by Nathaniel Britton and Joseph Rose.
Additionally, they added the Easter cactus as S. gaertneri to Schlumbergera, causing a long-lasting misunderstanding between these two genera.
Schlumbergera russelliana and Zygocactus truncatus were both included in the genus Schlumbergera by Reid Venable Moran in 1953. David Hunt later added more species, including those originally included in Epiphyllanthus, to create the current total of six distinct species plus a few hybrids.
The majority of Schlumbergera species have areoles at the joints and tips of their stems, which produce flowers that resemble leaf-like pads united together.
Two species resemble other cacti more with their cylindrical stems. Three species of the allied genus Hatiora were placed into Schlumbergera as a result of recent phylogenetic analyses utilizing DNA, albeit this modification has not yet been widely accepted.
Hatiora and Schlumbergera have long been confused. Species in the first genus often have zygomorphic tubular flowers, whereas those in the second genus have actinomorphic blooms with discrete tubes.
The three species of the Hatiora subgenus Rhipsalidopsis have been placed into Schlumbergera, according to DNA evidence, albeit this shift has not yet been widely accepted. The two genera are not monophyletic.
These cacti’s common names typically allude to when they bloom. They go by the names Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, crab cactus, and holiday cactus in the Northern Hemisphere. Because they bloom throughout May in the Southern Hemisphere, the genus is known as Flor de Maio (Mayflower) in Brazil.
Growing Schlumbergera
The Schlumbergera species can develop substantial shrubs with woody bases in the wild, growing either on trees (epiphytic) or on rocks (epilithic); a height of up to 4 ft has been documented for one species (S. opuntioides). They lack leaves, and their green stems serve as their photosynthesis organs. The segments that make up the stems can be classified into one of two types.
The segments in the majority of species are highly flattened (cladodes), consisting of a central core with two or, less frequently, three side segments “wings.
special cacti-specific features known as “Areoles then appear at the tips of the stem segments. Two species have stems that are less flattened, more cylinder-shaped, and have areoles that are distributed across the segments in a roughly helical pattern.
The flower buds develop in both situations in the areoles, which may include wool and tiny bristles.
Blooming Schlumbergera
The blooms are hung more or less horizontally, with the top side of the flower being different from the lower side, which is radially asymmetrical or zygomorphic, or they hang downward and are almost radially symmetrical, as in most species.
In addition, they are cyclical and only bloom in the fall, winter, or spring, hence the moniker “holiday cactus.”
Easter Cactus blooms in the spring, Thanksgiving Cactus blooms in the fall, and Christmas Cactus blooms around Christmas.
The angle of the flowers with the horizontal in species where the flowers are held up is typically quite constant. There are 2030 flowers. The outer tepals, which are shorter and disconnected, are those found closest to the flower’s base. Tepals may spread wide or may curl backward.
The longer inner tepals that are located closer to the flower’s tip gradually become fused together at the base to form a floral tube.
The distinction between the outer and inner tepals in some species gives the illusion of a “a flower inside of another. At the bottom of the floral tube, in a chamber, the flowers create nectar.
Despite being called a cactus, this plant (Schlumbergera bridesii or Schlumbergera truncata) actually has tropical origins and is a succulent. The Christmas cactus must adhere to a relatively rigid schedule in the fall in order to bloom throughout the holiday season, just like the poinsettia. The plant needs extended darkness for at least four weeks before flower buds may grow for Christmas blossoms.
Place the plant in a dark area or keep it covered (under a box or bag works good) for at least 12 hours each day in late September or early October. The light/dark cycle can end once the little buds start to develop, which usually takes three to four weeks.
Move the plant to its new location as the buds expand “avoiding sudden changes in temperature or illumination in the display area. While blossoming and budding, keep watering and feeding the plant.
When the top inch of the soil around your Schlumbergera cactus feels dry, water it. Consider the weather and time of year at all times. You might need to water your cactus every two to three days if it’s outdoors in a hot, dry region, especially if the plant has been exposed to the sun. The cactus may only require watering once each week if you maintain it indoors in a cool, humid environment. In order to encourage blossoming, water less frequently in the fall and winter.
Like other cactus species, the Schlumbergera cactus has a problem with over-watering. In addition to causing leaves to fall, overwatering can result in fungal rot illnesses like white rot. The white patches on the leaves of plants with white rot disease are easily identified.
Schlumbergera cactus cannot tolerate as much under-watering as other cactus species because it is a tropical, not a desert, cactus. A Schlumbergera cactus will wilt and lose its flower buds if it doesn’t get enough water. A Schlumbergera cactus cannot endure completely dry soil, unlike a desert cactus. Avoid overhead irrigation to prevent fungus issues.
Temperature and Humidity
Humidity promotes the Schlumbergera cactus’ greatest growth. For gardeners who live in dry climates or whose homes have dry indoor air, this is especially crucial. Placing a tray of water close to your plant is the simplest approach to provide humidity. The humidity is provided by the water evaporating into the air. Another method is to fill a dish with pebbles and water before putting the potted plant inside. Using a spray bottle to mist your cactus can also add humidity.
Bright, filtered sunshine is preferred for Schlumbergera cacti. Protect them from exposure to the southern or western sun if you’re growing them indoors.
They thrive in warm weather, between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and create buds in the evening when it’s between 50 and 55 degrees.
Try to maintain evening temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees throughout the winter. Schlumbergera cactus should not be placed near drafts or hot air sources, such as fireplaces or heating vents.
When springtime fragile growth first develops, fertilize. Every two to three weeks, up to a month before the first blossoms are anticipated to develop, give your houseplants a liquid fertilizer.
Problems With Schlumbergera
Don’t subject the Schlumbergera cactus to drastic environmental changes because they can cause bud drop. Ensure they are not near drafts or heat sources (vents, fireplaces, or televisions). Don’t let the plants go too long without water.
Use a well-drained potting medium and water only when the potting medium starts to dry out because excessive moisture in the soil can cause the stems and roots to rot.
If you want your Schlumbergera cactus to bloom over the holiday season, make sure to keep it away from artificial light at night from October through December.
Is It Poisonous?
Schlumbergera cactus fruits are not thought to be edible by humans, yet in the wild, birds would consume them and disperse the seeds. They are not classified as poisonous, though, and they are not on the list of poisonous plants.
There have been stories of dogs throwing up after eating a Christmas cactus, although in each instance the canines could have been ill for other reasons.
The majority of explanations include the dog having consumed something else while misbehaving, such as food or liquid. Just to be clear, tortoises have consumed this plant without any problems on our property.
Can canines consume succulents?
Are succulents harmful to animals? Hopefully your pets aren’t damaging your plants by chewing on them or digging them up for pleasure. If they do, though, should you be concerned about poisoning or toxicity? Fortunately, the majority of succulents are thought to be non-toxic and safe for pets to consume.
Some can cause mild symptoms when consumed, while others contain skin irritants that might cause minor skin irritations. However, some succulents can be deadly if consumed in high quantities.
The following list of 9 succulents can be toxic to pets:
A big and well-known genus called Aloe contains small dwarf species and giant tree-like species that can reach heights of up to 30 feet (10m). They feature large, fleshy leaves that range in color from green to bluish green. On the stem surfaces of some kinds, there are white flecks.
Aloe vera is harmful to both cats and dogs when consumed, despite the fact that it is well known for its many medical and useful benefits for people. Aloe’s principal toxin, saponin, which is a substance found in it, can seriously harm your pet’s health.
If a cat eats a Christmas cactus, what happens?
That does not, however, imply that Kitty can eat the stems and blooms without suffering any consequences. According to the pet poison hotline, “Although severe toxicity is not anticipated, eating any portion of the plant could cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you take basic measures, Christmas cactus is a plant you can welcome into your home without worrying about your pet—unlike some highly toxic plants, including real lilies, which can quickly result in acute renal failure.
As of the 2013 release of “According to Sharon M. Gwaltney-Brant, author of Small Animal Toxicology, symptoms of otherwise healthy cats ingesting stem segments of the Christmas cactus usually go away on their own, however you might need to restrict diet to give the digestive tract time to heal.
Additionally, it will depend on how much of the herb the cat has consumed. Smaller amounts might have no impact at all, while greater amounts might get regurgitated behind your couch.
However, things can get a little more serious if your cat is really young, old, or already ill.
If the cat exhibits persistent or severe distress, veterinary care may be necessary. In these situations, the cat may need to be treated with antiemetic or antispasmodic medication.
Even if the plant itself is not poisonous, you should still check the label carefully before using any pesticides because many of them can contain harmful compounds.
The first thing to do if you notice your cat eating your Christmas cactus plant is to take it out and put it somewhere your pet can’t get to it.
Watch your pet carefully to see whether he or she exhibits any signs. There won’t likely be any negative impacts if the individual is healthy in other respects.
However, keep in mind that your cat might have been chomping on anything poisonous if you have several different houseplants in addition to the Christmas cactus.
If your pet exhibits signs of poisoning, such as excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or discomfort, contact poison control right away or schedule a consultation with a veterinarian.