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.
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.
What creature consumes 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.
Why does my Christmas cactus get eaten by my dog?
First, dogs are naturally very curious animals. Their curiosity can sometimes overwhelm them.
Therefore, they will probably study a new, strange-looking, and unfamiliar plant that enters their environment.
Some dogs simply cannot take not being able to try new things, especially when it comes to flavor.
As a result, it’s possible that your dog is tasting your Christmas cactus to see what it is.
They’ll probably try it, determine it doesn’t taste great, and ignore the rest of it.
It will be necessary to move the plant so that your dog can’t get it and continue to eat from it because some dogs will still taste-test it.
Reason #2: A dog’s love for scavenging is another aspect of their natural nature.
Some dogs have a natural tenacity to locate things to play with, eat, or “collect for later,” whether it’s their favorite toy, the best stick in the forest, or they’re waiting for their food dish to be filled at dinnertime and need a nibble in the interim.
How to have a Hoppy Holiday
If you are like most bunny owners, your rabbit’s name will be the first item on your holiday present list. It comes in first place, ahead of spouses, parents, and kids. Every bunny should receive a holiday gift, even two or three. However, how can you, as a responsible bunny owner, deliver a wonderful and secure gift?
A decent to-do list is essential for every rabbit. No bunny requires candy. Give untreated wicker, willow, or seagrass mats, baskets, or tunnels as a chewable present. These presents are like bunny theme parks. Hours or even days of pleasure can be had for the price of one entry. We advise mats, tubes, tunnels, and baskets. The Busy Bunny, For Other Living Things, Ikea, and Pier 1 all carry these. Always choose a product that hasn’t been painted, varnished, or treated. Avoid sugary foods like yogurt drops, crispy dried fruit and nuts, nut and popcorn sticks, and anything else. These presents may result in GI stasis and hurried late-night trips to the vet.
Around the holidays, most people are strapped for cash. That is not an excuse to put your preferred gift recipient at the end of the list. Any bunny will appreciate a decent cardboard box. Choose a box made of brown cardboard, take out all the tape, and carefully cut a doorhole in it. Voil! Your very own bunny palace was constructed. Write your king or queen’s name over the doorway to their castle with a marker. Although the items displayed here would make the other bunnies green with envy, you can get comparable results by applying your own creativity. In fact, a concrete form that is readily available at your neighborhood home improvement store allows you to even add a cool tunnel element. Utilize used paper towel and toilet paper rolls to add some home accents.
A rotation of various sorts of hay would be a wonderful present for someone who are seriously limited on resources. Try meadow grass, orchard grass, brome, clover, oat hay, and even hay cakes since you need to buy hay anyhow. Your rabbit will cheerfully eat a lot of these products. All of them are available through Oxbow, American Pet Diner, and Farmer Dave. If your rabbit doesn’t like the new or different hay, your neighborhood shelter or rescue would be happy to accept the hay your bunny was staring at with a twitching nose.
The Busy Bunny, The Bunny Bunch Boutique, Bunny Luv, and Bunny Bytes are just a few online retailers that offer safe, shreddable, chewable, and tossable fun toys for your rabbits if they’re extremely well-cared-for.
The house is constantly crowded over the holidays with friends and family of all ages. Your bunny may be in danger at this moment. In the spirit of generosity, many people will want to raise or carry the rabbit and feed it dangerous items. If the bunny occupies a shared space, such as the living room or den, it is advised to transfer the pen or cage to a bedroom that can be secured or at the very least carefully watched, and to only permit visitors access in small groups with you there at all times. Declare that it is time for rabbit to take a sleep and close the door after each visitor has had a chance to see him.
If the bunny setup cannot be changed, it is advised that you place a “treat dish” with items that guests can hand feed the rabbit and are approved for the rabbit’s diet, such as washed romaine, kale, dill, or basil leaves. Visitors can enjoy feeding the rabbit, and you can relax knowing that it isn’t chowing down on yogurt drops or cookies. The rabbit must not be picked up, and only the sweets you have prepared may be given to it. This must be made clear to everyone.
Your bunny will get expensive gifts from a number of house guests. It is up to you to keep an eye on the gifts, even though these friends and visitors intend well. Simply say that Bunny received his daily allotment if he enjoys an unhealthy treat. Popcorn and nut sticks are simple to break apart and give to park animals like squirrels after the visitors have left. The gift will just be given again to a less fortunate animal with a less sensitive GI system, so it won’t go to waste.
While essential to your winter months, holiday decorations need to be placed cautiously to safeguard your rabbit. To avoid fires and harm to the rabbit, all light strings that dangle within the bunny’s reach must be taped or nailed up higher. A fresh Christmas tree’s water container must also be off limits because a bunny can be enticed to sip from it. Sprays and fire retardants applied to tree branches have harmful effects. Also dangerous to the bunny are ribbons, taped-up wrapping paper, tinsel, and broken glass ornaments. A few extra exercise pens can be utilized to block off the entire tree area while your bunny is in the living room during this time.
Christmas plants are no different from other indoor plants in that they should be kept out of your rabbit’s reach. Mistletoe, holly, ivy, and Christmas cactus are all poisonous. Although poinsettia is not poisonous, we advise against letting your rabbit eat any of it.
Spending quality time with your rabbit every day will help you to easily identify when she’s not feeling well. As much as you can, try to maintain her on her regular schedule. Additionally, have your veterinarian’s contact information close at hand.
By adhering to these gift, decorating, and house visitor suggestions, you will cruise through the holiday season without hitting the rocky shoal of illness, accident, or unexpected veterinary costs. Happy holidays to everyone!
Can a cat live with a cactus?
The author disclaims all medical and veterinary licenses. The information provided is solely intended to share our experience and be entertaining. Always get advice from a doctor or veterinarian before making any decisions on your health or diet, as well as whenever you have any questions or concerns. By partaking in any activities or ideas from this website, the author and blog expressly disclaim all liability for any harm, accident, or injury that may result.
Have you been thinking about investing in a potted cactus plant because it requires so little upkeep? Have you thought about your cat’s total impact while adding anything to your home? We now know whether or not the herb is safe for cats.
Are cats poisoned by cacti? Cats are not poisoned by cactus. This plant is risk-free, unlike some others that may contain harmful substances that could hurt your cat. But be aware that the plant contains spines that could accidently hurt your cat.
How can I prevent my cat from consuming Christmas cacti?
The welfare of your cat should come first when it consumes a Christmas cactus. Does the Christmas cactus harm cats? The response is based on how you raise your plants. Christmas cactus isn’t dangerous or toxic to cats, according to the ASPCA plant database, but the insecticides and other chemicals sprayed on the plant may be harmful. Additionally, an allergic reaction could occur in a sensitive cat who eats Christmas cactus.
Read the labels of any chemicals you may have applied to the plant recently carefully. Search for cautions, warnings, and details regarding how long the chemical will remain on the plant. If you are worried, speak with your veterinarian.
Cats enjoy the sensation of having their paws in the ground, and once they’ve experienced this joy, it might be difficult to stop them from using your plants as litter boxes by digging in them. To make it challenging for the cat to dig down to the soil, try covering the potting soil with a layer of pebbles. Cayenne pepper liberally sprinkled over the plant and soil can serve as a deterrent for some cats. Several commercial cat deterrents are available in pet stores.
Planting a Christmas cactus in a hanging basket is one of the greatest ways to prevent the cat from getting into it. Hang the basket up where the cat can’t get to it, not even with a perfectly timed jump.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, one of the most well-liked succulents, is regularly utilized for therapeutic and medicinal purposes. The plant’s extracts can be found in dietary supplements, cosmetics, and flavored waters, and its sap is traditionally used to heal sunburns.
However, pets may be poisoned by this succulent. Aloe has a reputation for causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in animals, as well as making them lethargic.
Long, pointed tendrils are a distinguishing feature of aloe plants. Some types have foliage with white spots, while others bloom sporadically. Pets should not be allowed near any types.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoes are prized for their profusion of flowers, which come in a variety of hues from soft pink to flamboyant orange. This tropical succulent is well-liked as a houseplant and goes by several names, including mother of millions, devil’s backbone, and mother-in-law plant.
This plant primarily causes vomiting and diarrhea by irritating the digestive system. Heart arrhythmias, however, can also happen.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia is a vast and diverse genus of plants that encompasses anything from tiny, low-growing plants to gigantic giants.
Many succulents of the genus Euphorbia are harmful to both cats and dogs, including the pencil cactus and crown of thorns.
Ingestion of this succulent can cause a variety of poisoning symptoms, including gastrointestinal distress and eye and skin irritation.
It is best to stay away from all euphorbia species, including the deadly poinsettia, if you have pets.
Jade
Similar to aloe vera, jade is a widespread, simple-to-grow houseplant that is common on windowsills. Jade plants resemble trees because to their thick, woody stalks and hefty, oval leaves.
There are various types of jade, and each one should be kept out of reach of animals. Your cat or dog may exhibit signs such as gastrointestinal distress and uncoordination if they consume jade.