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Cats are naturally curious creatures, and one way they satiate their curiosity is by chewing everything they come across. Cats are obligate carnivores, which implies that meat makes up a sizable portion of their diet. Cats may, however, consume modest amounts of plant and leaf in the wild, either to supplement their diets with vital vitamins and minerals or just because they enjoy the flavor.
In the home, it could appear as though they’re just trying to complicate your life, but it could just be that they’re bored and seeking for anything to do. Alternatively, they might assume that plants can fill a nutritional gap in their diet, or they might simply love the flavor of your tenderly cared-for potted plant.
It is your duty as a responsible pet owner to make sure that your cat isn’t being harmed by the ferns and other plants it eats. Fortunately, the common majesty palm, also known as the majestic palm, is non-toxic and regarded as harmless, however it may not always be advantageous to your cat’s health. Additionally, you should watch out for symptoms of gastrointestinal trouble because eating the fronds may result in them getting lodged or causing discomfort. Otherwise, if your cat eats this plant, they should be okay.
What happens to a majesty palm if a cat eats it?
Majesty palm is classified as being fully non-toxic to cats by the ASPCA. This indicates that none of the plant’s parts, including the leaves, stems, trunk, and roots, contain any elements that can endanger your cat. Therefore, if your cat just can’t seem to get enough of your palm, there’s no need to worry about their health.
Are pets secure at majestic palms?
The Majesty Palm is the most frequent palm found at large box stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot, and it has the power to transform any space into something straight out of a spa. They make excellent pet-safe houseplants and are comparatively simple to care for. Cats are obsessed, so beware. My first palm was almost completely consumed by both, which looked terrible and made me unhappy. You could always put them up high where cats can’t reach them or make a quick repellant to spray on the fronds. Keep palms out of direct sunlight, which will cause the leaves to turn brown. I water my palm once a week (less frequently in the winter), let it drain, and then put it back on its saucer. In general, they prefer temperatures that are higher than 70 degrees. Look for the plant’s label to contain the term Ravenea rivula.
Silver Ribbon Fern
This gorgeous long-leaf fern adapts nicely to indoor environments and thrives there throughout the summer. These grow bushy and look very lush in a bathroom or workplace. They are completely safe for pets. Cat consumption is moderate. My cats haven’t eaten any of my fern, however they do sneakily look at it. Keep the soil moist (checking roughly 1-2 times a week) and mist the area with a spray bottle to maintain humidity. Choose a spot that gets some light sunlight.
Bunny Cactus
These lovely cactus are not only wonderfully adorable and cheery (perfect), but also useful scratching posts for my cats (not ideal). Although they have TINY thorns that would make you unhappy if they got lodged in your finger, I prefer these since they are quite durable cacti. They look best when planted together or in a planter with other non-toxic succulents (see this post). Basic medical treatment is, well, very basic. Allow to thoroughly dry, and only wet when absolutely necessary. Bear in mind that they typically inhabit deserts.
Staghorn Fern
Staghorn ferns can be either wall-hung or left in pots. They are also fluffy! As a vegan alternative to antlers, mount this fern on a wall or hang it from the ceiling with kokedama. They’re incredibly beautiful ferns that are entirely safe for pets. This Gardenista article on mounting ferns is absolutely fantastic. In terms of maintenance, they are actually connected to air plants and do best with weekly misting and weekly watering (if they are in a pot). Use various watering techniques if you want to mount your Staghorn Fern. Additionally, they prefer high humidity and moderate light—not direct sunlight.
Which types of palms are poisonous to cats?
The Autumn Crocus can result in severe mouth burning, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, damage to the liver and kidneys, cardiac rhythms, and even death. Although the entire plant is said to be harmful to cats, the bulbs, seeds, and blooms are the most dangerous parts.
Azalea and Rhododendron
Even a small amount of azalea leaf consumption might irritate the mouth and result in vomiting and diarrhea in cats. In extreme circumstances, ingesting anything might result in a reduction in blood pressure, heart rhythms, a coma, and even death.
Daffodil
Although the entire plant is thought to be harmful to cats, the bulb is the most dangerous part. Oral discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, convulsions, and a severe drop in blood pressure can all result from ingesting any part of a daffodil.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia, sometimes known as dumb cane, is a common houseplant that can make cats have trouble swallowing, experience vomiting, and experience a burning sensation on their lips, tongue, and mouth. Dieffenbachia poisoning rarely results in death but is extremely unpleasant for cats.
Tulip
The tulip plant is said to be poisonous as a whole, but cats are particularly poisoned by the bulb. Significant oral discomfort, profuse drooling, and nausea may be brought on by ingestion. Tulip ingestion shouldn’t be fatal unless significant amounts of the bulb are consumed, which is unlikely in cats.
Kalanchoe
The kalanchoe, often called the mother-in-law plant, is a typical houseplant with tiny, dense blossoms. This plant is poisonous to cats in all of its components. Its consumption may result in nausea and diarrhea. Heart arrhythmias can happen on occasion.
Lily
Commonly referred to as lilies are numerous different species of flowering plants. Cats who consume even a tiny amount of the plants in the genus Lilium, such as Easter lilies, Asiatic lilies, and tiger lilies, suffer from acute kidney failure.
Day lilies belong to a different genus (Hemerocallis), yet their effects are comparable. Cats are poisoned by the plant in all of its parts, but the blossoms are particularly harmful. In fact, cats have been known to die from the deadly pollen of one of these lilies.
Sago Palm
The sago palm, also referred to as the coontie palm or the cardboard palm, is incredibly deadly to cats. Its consumption can result in mortality, bleeding disorders, bloody vomiting and diarrhea, and liver failure.
Oleander
Oleander is a well-liked ornamental blooming shrub that is typically found in California and the Southern United States. Its cardiac glycosides are extremely poisonous to cats and can result in deadly heart irregularities, muscular tremors, incoordination, convulsions, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. They are chemically related to digoxin.
Cyclamen
The cyclamen, also referred to as sowbread, is a common flowering houseplant that produces terpenoid saponins, which are toxic to cats. In large doses, they can result in cardiac irregularities, seizures, and death in addition to oral discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What occurs when a cat consumes palm leaves?
Cat owners can safely transport most palm trees home. Retailers frequently offer the Majesty Palm, Parlor Palm, and Banana Palm species of palms. These palms are all safe for cats to consume.
You needn’t worry if your cat eats any of these palms. Simply keep an eye on their behavior and watch for any signs of an upset stomach, such vomiting and diarrhea.
Additionally, be careful to keep the plant out of your cat’s reach. Even while the palm might not be harmful, the soil or any pests that might be hiding in the plant could still make your cat sick.
I have a palm tree; how can I keep cats away?
The secret to getting cats to stop chewing on houseplants is to make them taste or smell awful. Here are some ways to stop cats from chewing on plants.
1. Spray some pepper or something astringent, such bitter apple, over and underneath the leaves. Ensure that cats may safely use the spray.
2. Citrus peels can be securely applied to the soil because cats do not appreciate the scent of citrus oils. Avoid using citrus essential oils to frighten your cat because they can be poisonous to cats. They can harm the liver when ingested or absorbed through the skin.
3. Provide them with their own plants! Cats can enjoy a variety of cat grasses in addition to the traditional catnip plant, which is also available. Catnip is a great choice!
Can cats get wounded by palm trees?
The majority of commercially available houseplant palms are non-toxic to animals. The Sago Palm, a cycad rather than a palm, is the exception. This plant is poisonous in every component to the point where your cat could die from it. When dealing with a Sago Palm, everyone—including humans—should wear gloves. Other palm-like plants, such Dracaenas and Yuccas, also have poisonous components that are bad for cats.
Pet Friendly Houseplants
At Earth’s Ally, we care about our plants just as much as we do about our canine companions. However, pets and plants don’t appear to get along all that often. Many of our favorite plant species, as well as many popular herbal remedies, are toxic to cats and dogs. Learn more about our top 10 pet-friendly houseplants in the next paragraphs, as well as about the solutions we develop to keep our homes and gardens healthy without using harsh chemicals.
#1 Haworthia Succulent (Haworthia species)
Want to protect your pets while still enjoying the low-maintenance beauty of plants of the aloe genus? The best plant for you is a haworthia. This chic small succulent simply needs a little water once a week and would look wonderful in a sunny location.
#2 Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis)
The Boston Fern is a reliable houseplant with thick fronds that expand quickly with minimal attention. They thrive in a slightly humid climate, making bathrooms with some filtered sunlight an ideal location for them. Despite having what appear to be delicate leaves, Boston ferns are remarkably hardy.
#3 Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Several well-known and eye-catching plants, such as the trendy Chinese money plant, the variegated aluminum plant, and the simple-to-procreate friendship plant, belong to the Pilea genus. These plants prefer a lot of indirect light and are said to be safe for cats and dogs.
#4 Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Pets may have concerns about palms, but the parlor palm is thought to be non-toxic. This tall, graceful plant is suitable for pets and does well in dimmer lighting conditions as well. They usually grow to a height of around four feet, but with care, they can grow as tall as eight feet.
#5 Banana Palm (Musa acuminata)
The banana palm is another substantial accent plant that is secure for your dogs. If you have lots of space, a banana plant is a fantastic option because of its enormous, glossy leaves and remarkable size.
#6 African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
Look no further than the African violet for a pop of color. The African violet, a native of Tanzania with alluring purple, pink, blue, or white blossoms, is regarded as safe for pets. This low-maintenance plant doesn’t worry if the light isn’t as strong.
#7 Gloxinia Flower (Sinningia Speciosa)
The Sinningia genus encompasses everything from the most extravagant flowers to the tiniest, most delicate ones. They are frequently called Gloxinia and are widely used as gift plants. If you get one of these gorgeous things as a gift from a friend, you don’t have to worry about your dogs.
#9 Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are referred to as “unkillable houseplants” and produce festoons of lovely striped leaves. The best part is that spider plants produce baby mini-plants that grow into their pots from the main plant. Spider plants are a great option for pet-friendly gardens because they’re so simple to grow and maintain.
#10 Air Plants (Tillandsia)
They only need water and sunlight to survive. They are safe for cats and dogs because there is no soil for your pets to spill. They can be grown in a variety of containers with weekly watering.
Pet Safe Plant Care
The first step in creating a safe habitat for pets is selecting a non-toxic plant. Due to sporadic overwatering, common pests including scale, aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats virtually always affect indoor plants. Think about safe alternatives to common treatments when those annoying bugs appear.
For an immediate kill on soft-bodied insects, use an essential oil insecticide like Earth’s Ally Insect Control. When used as instructed, Earth’s Ally is extremely successful in treating pest issues and safe for People, Pets, & the Planet. It is made from rosemary, clove, and peppermint oils.
With the help of these suggestions, you may make a secure haven for your animal pals out of a lush oasis. We’d be interested to know how Earth’s Ally is assisting you in raising wholesome indoor plants that are safe for dogs and cats. Connect with the #EarthsAlly community on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share your pet photographs, have access to our most recent blog posts, giveaways, and special offers.