Despite not being fatally harmful to cats, Ficus lyrata is best avoided because it makes cats extremely uncomfortable. There are numerous other plants with lovely leaves that cats can safely consume.
So, with a little knowledge, you can keep your curious kitties content and safe while maintaining a beautifully decorated home with a wide range of plants.
Is Ficus lyrata harmful to animals?
We’re sorry to break the news to you, but the fiddle leaf fig, one of the most notorious indoor plants on the Internet, is poisonous to dogs if consumed. The fiddle leaf fig is a medium- to large-sized houseplant with a thin trunk and huge fiddle-shaped leaves that is revered by both interior decorators and houseplant aficionados.
Unfortunately, eating fiddle leaf fig foliage might make your dog experience unpleasant symptoms like skin and gastrointestinal irritation. Bring a fiddle leaf fig outside if your dog likes to gnaw on plants.
What takes place if a cat consumes a Ficus?
I recently completed my house relocation and made the switch from a two-bedroom apartment to a three-bedroom home with a garden.
So many neighborhood cats hang out in my garden, close to the conservatory where I keep my tree, as a result.
The last thing I want is for my Ficus bonsai tree to make cats sick as I keep it close to the garden.
As a result, I contacted my neighborhood veterinarian, got in touch with my neighborhood botanical garden, and reviewed the research on whether Ficus trees are poisonous to cats.
To sum it up:
- Cats are harmful to the majority of the 850 Ficus species found worldwide.
- The Ficus tree’s toxicity is primarily caused by eating its leaves or consuming the sap that those leaves exude.
- If you have a Ficus tree, the sap on the figs and berries it produces will also be poisonous.
- Cats housed indoors near Ficus, a popular indoor plant, account for the great majority of instances.
- When a cat consumes ficus, the most common adverse reactions include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lightheadedness, exhaustion, drooling, and abdominal pain.
- Cats who rub up against Ficus instead of eating it frequently get rashes and skin discomfort.
- Cats can occasionally suffocate on Ficus leaves and berries or figs.
- Compared to adult cats, kittens will be more likely to consume and chew on ficus.
The fiddle leaf palm is poisonous to cats.
The toxicity of fiddle leaf figs to cats, dogs, and people is a major concern for many fiddle leaf fig owners or potential fiddle leaf fig owners.
The bad news is that fiddles are poisonous to humans as well as animals like cats and dogs.
Fiddle leaf fig leaves, stems, and trunks release an unpleasant white sap when cut, which you do not want to get on your skin or consume!
The good news is that fiddle leaf figs are only mildly poisonous, so even while eating them can make you sick and irritate your stomach, throat, and mouth, it won’t kill you. The sap from a violin can also hurt or possibly cause skin blisters. Gloves should always be worn when pruning or propagating your violin (for this reason, of course)!
Here’s what you need to know and what to do if a pet ingests any portion of your fiddle or gets the sap on its skin if you have animals that might bite into your fiddle’s leaves.
If touched, are fiddle leaf figs poisonous?
One of the most well-known and poisonous indoor plants is the philodendron. The leaves, which are also referred to as fiddle leaf figs, have crystals comprised of the poisonous calcium oxalate. A bite from a fiddle leaf won’t kill you if you’re an adult, but all philodendrons can be extremely hazardous to kids and animals.
Are cats safe to use fig plants?
Like many plants, figs are completely harmless for people, but your cat will be irritated and poisoned by the fruit, leaves, and sap of fig and fig tree trees. Although figs have a low to moderate level of toxicity, you should still get your cat to the clinic right away if you think it may have consumed something poisonous. If your cat receives prompt veterinarian care soon after being exposed, its chances of making a full recovery from poisoning increase.
Figs are a common fruit that has been cultivated for many years. Weeping fig and ficus, which are other names for fig plants, are also common interior and outdoor ornamental plants. Their gorgeous interior foliage has tall, glossy green leaves. Unfortunately, your cat may be attracted to figs for the same reasons as humans do, which could be harmful to their health.
How can I prevent my cat from getting near my fiddle leaf fig?
A: Well-posed query! When I post pictures of parts of my home that have plants (which is pretty much every area! ), the question I receive the most frequently online or on Instagram is probably how to keep your cats away from houseplants. You would have noticed that there were no plants in the house if you had visited my home three years ago. None. I believe that I simply believed that indoor plants belonged in Californian homes or in the waiting area of the dentist. However, after seeing how beautiful they can be (and how much life they bring to a space), I was inspired to bring some plants into our home. I searched far and wide to discover plants that were safe to have in the house because I was initially unaware that there is a lengthy list of plants that are harmful to cats (see the list here). At the time, Charlie was the only cat we had, but I soon realized that she didn’t give a damn about the plants. As far as she was concerned, they might as well have been a brand-new piece of furniture or ornamental accent. No inclination at all.
I tried buying a cactus that was on the poisonous list and just having it out when I could observe her to see if she was interested in the plant, but surprise, surprise, she wasn’t paying any attention to it. For a while, I basically used this technique whenever I got a new plant, only putting it out when I was around and watching her to see whether she was interested. She occasionally tried to rub her face on the planter (a sign of friendship), as most cats will do with anything new in a room, but beyond that initial introduction, she just pretended it wasn’t there. When we adopted Mac, our second cat, a few years later, I did the same thing, and happily, he was just as uninterested in the plants (although every so often he does like to dig in the dirt of the large plantershe loves digging outside). Having two cats who aren’t interested in houseplants makes me feel quite fortunate, but even if your cat eats every green plant in sight, don’t worry! There are still many things you can do to keep your cats healthy and happy while still filling your home with loads of greens.
Plant Stands: Plant stands are a terrific way to decorate a blank wall or corner while raising plants off the ground. Avoid placing the plant close to a table or chair so that the cat has a place to stand and disturb the plant. Instead, put the plant in a large planter that occupies the most of the planter’s top. The best cats for this are generally those who are moderately but not particularly aggressively curious about plants.
Plant hangers: For cats who love plants, plant hangers are a terrific option. They won’t be able to eat it if they can’t access it. In a group of three or five, they also fill a vacant corner of a room exceptionally well. Just remember to water plants frequently and check for any leaf drop-offs frequently.
Another excellent alternative for cats who enjoy plants is wall planters. When you need to decorate a larger space or simply want a low-profile planter next to a piece of art or a print, wall planters are a good option because they don’t protrude from the wall as much as a standard hanging planter would.
Plants with High Leaves: Some larger plants, like a fiddle leaf fig, can have their bottom foliage removed to give them more of a tree appearance, but this raises the leaves too high for cats to reach. Again, keeping it alone and away from anything they could climb will help it operate best if there are no other pieces of furniture around for them to stand on to access the leaves from another perspective. This also presumes that, like most cats, your cat is only interested in plant portions with leaves and not in stems with bark, so don’t choose this option if your cat would simply chew on the stem for some reason! False Plants: If your cat is really violent and won’t leave the genuine plants alone, you might have to resort to faux plants. In fact, I use artificial plants all over my home, including in wall planters, on bookcases, for plants that are difficult to water or in planters that are prone to leaking. Recently, they have begun producing some amazing artificial succulents, and I have seen them at practically every craft store, including Target. Even some artificial fiddle leaf fig trees I saw the other day at the mall took me a while to realize were not real. You could also use fake plants where the cat can access them and deadly plants where they can’t (like a hanging planter). Simply planting them in actual dirt will trick your house guests into believing they are real.
Aside: I only use real cacti with specific kinds of needles when placing them in areas where they might be touched or knocked by cats (such on the floor or a dresser). I only purchase cacti with really obvious thick needles that don’t eject from the cactus (like the golden barrel cactus on the right) or cacti that don’t really have needles at all like the chocolate drop cactus on the left because I don’t really like the ones with the teeny-tiny needles anyway because they always come off in your fingers (and I especially didn’t want them to be in their fur if they brushed (which has more of a really short thorn than a needle). This will prevent anything from becoming stuck in their fur when they go to clean themselves if their tail swishes in the direction of the cactus.
I must trust that my cats’ feline instincts will keep them safe while they are out of my sight because they spend hours outside every day in an environment that is undoubtedly full of hazardous plants. I suppose it makes me feel better to know that they at least don’t want to eat plants when they’re inside, and I hope it extends to their outdoor activities as well. Actually, I have to watch my own eating more than anything else when I’m indoors. There have been times when I’ve stepped out of the room only to return to discover Mac eating my pizza. When the toaster popped up, he even removed a piece of toast right away!
Anyway, I hope you were able to find some inspiration for how to include some greenery in your room that both you and your cat will love.
Are cats hazardous to spider plants?
Although deemed safe for cats, spider plants are not always safe from cats. Many felines simply can’t help themselves, as was already explained. There is a valid justification for this. Chemicals identified in spider plants are comparable to those in opium. Our feline friends experience a moderate psychedelic impact from these substances. Now that you know why Fluffy often appears fairly wide-eyed after consuming these plants, you can stop wondering.
Are cats safe around snake plants?
Sansevieria trifasciata, sometimes known as the snake plant, is a very common indoor plant since it requires very little maintenance. The ASCPA cautions that cats are poisonous when using it. When swallowed or chewed, the chemical components in snake plants known as saponins cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats.
What to do: Snake plants are less hazardous to cats than aloe, so avoid them. If your cat is displaying symptoms and you feel they are related to chewing on or eating a snake plant, call your veterinarian or a helpline right once. Instructions will be given to you in accordance with how serious your symptoms are.
Change it: The caeroba is a non-toxic plant with a snake plant-like appearance. It’s even occasionally referred to as a “rattlesnake plant.” It still has that lovely winding aspect, but it’s less thick and more billowy than sturdy and straight.
Are philodendrons like Ficus lyrata?
The popular name “Fiddle leaf fig” can apply to either a “Philodendron bipennifolium” or a “Ficus lyrata.” Quite sometimes, more than one plant will share the same common name, as is the case in this instance. The Ficus lyrata, which is more frequently found in our retail stores and is offered as a Fiddle Leaf Fig houseplant, is what is covered in the information that follows.
Figs with fiddle leaves are picky. They require a specific amount of light and humidity. They dislike drafts, too-dry or too-wet soil, and both. The secret is to develop the ability to “listen” to your plant and make modifications as soon as any problems arise. You can give them the attention they require to be at their best by giving them the proper placement in your home and the information mentioned below will assist you in doing so.
Location, Location, Location: Fiddle leaf figs need to be in a sunny area since they enjoy the morning sun. They frequently become big and tall when they are delighted. If they are unhappy, they will appear spindly, leggy, have yellow, brown, or dull leaves, drop their leaves, and their general health will deteriorate. It could be time to find a new home for your fiddle leaf if you don’t have a really bright environment for them to reside in. Drafts are not their thing. A fiddle leaf fig tree in good health and happiness can reach heights of ten feet. You can relocate your outgrown fiddle leaf to a protected outside space, like a patio, in our coastal region. Keep it out of the wind, the sun, and the cold.
The second most crucial component to do right is water. Problems can arise from both overwatering and underwatering. Yellow or brown leaves that fall off early are signs. When watering, it is best to use caution. When should I drink water? When the top two inches are dry, add water. Don’t let the pot remain submerged in the drained water. Root rot results from letting plants sit in too much water.
Fertilize: Burnt leaf margins can also result from overfeeding your plants. At least once or twice a year, in the spring and the summer, fertilize your fiddle leaf. Use a fertilizer designed for indoor plants. Remember that “more is not better” while you read the instructions. Use half of the indicated strength, but never more than the label advises, to be safe and prevent burning your plant.
Since it is a native of the tropical rainforests of Africa, the fiddle leaf prefers relative humidity levels that are higher than typical. A browning of the leaf border would be a sign that they are missing dampness. Avoid placing your plant near a heating source because the relative humidity is lower there. Plants should be grouped together to improve humidity, or if it’s a beloved plant, a tiny humidifier could be placed next to it.
Cleaning: To eliminate dirt and dust, mist leaves with water and clean with a soft cloth. Trim using scissors while maintaining the shape of the leaf if the margins of the leaves have turned brown. Take out any fallen and dead leaves. Every time you water, keep an eye out for insects and disease. Establish this as a routine each time you water to handle problems as they arise. Visit our website’s House Plant page for details on insects and diseases.
Pruning: Fiddle leaf can indeed be pruned. A plant will become thicker and bushier if the new growth at the ends of the branches is pinched off. A milky-white sap will leak from the wounds made during trimming. To avoid dripping on the floor, make sure to blot and mop up any spills. If you prune the trunk back, it will produce new leaves.
Start by placing a cutting of the stem tip that is 6″ long and attached to a leaf in water to allow the roots to form. Another approach would be air layering.
Yes, this plant is poisonous; keep children and dogs away. Visit our website’s Poisonous Plants page for details on dangerous plants.