Which House Plants are Safe for Cats? Checkout It!
If you live with pets, you should ensure that all of your houseplants are safe for them. Pets may be motivated to chew on indoor plants for a variety of reasons, including mischief and curiosity. While several common houseplants are toxic to dogs and cats, you can still add greenery and improve the air quality in your home with pet-friendly alternatives.
Of course, for the benefit of both your plants and your dogs, you should keep all houseplants out of their reach. Fresh flowers and plants can truly brighten up your home, and outdoor gardening can be both soothing and enjoyable and improve curb appeal. Here are some large house plants and low-light indoor plants safe for cats.
What house plants are safe for cats to eat?
Don’t be concerned if you have a cat and enjoy gardening. Numerous plants are generally considered safe for cats, including cat-friendly indoor plants and outdoor plants suitable for lining a catio.
A list of cat-safe house plants are:
Cat Grass
While it is less prevalent in cats than in dogs, many of them enjoy chewing on grass. “Cat grass,” a mixture of barley, wheat, oat, and rye grasses, is a safe option for this. This plant is available in compact grow kits that you can set up (in direct sunshine) as a miniature garden for your animal buddy to enjoy to their hearts’ content. Furthermore, this may discourage them from munching on your other plants.
Catnip
Yes, this is the same peculiar-smelling substance found in many cat toys. Your cat may like the fresh version, and you’ll have pleasure watching him nibble or roll on top of the plant. While catnip is generally regarded as healthy for cats to eat, excessive consumption may result in stomach trouble, drowsiness, or hyperactivity—but most cats may enjoy this plant in moderation. To keep it growing, plant it somewhere in your home that receives plenty of bright light.
Keep in mind that even with cat-safe plants, your cat may get gastrointestinal discomfort if it eats them. This is even true for cat grass and catnip, the two plants your pet should ingest on a regular basis.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are popular houseplants because they are easy to cultivate and produce fast-growing baby “spiders” that can be propagated. They are pet-friendly ornamental plants that add life and vibrancy to any home. The long, grassy leaves arch outwards, making it ideal for a hanging planter.
Polka Dot Plant
A Polka Dot Plant is an excellent choice for air purification and colour. Its enormous green leaves are “dotted” with hues like white, pink, and red as if splashed with a paintbrush. The Polka Dot Plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs, easy to cultivate, and visually appealing.
Bird’s Nest Fern
The Bird’s Nest Fern, a tropical plant that often grows on palm trees, can thrive indoors and make an incredibly distinctive houseplant. Bird’s Nest Ferns have light-green fronds that are cracked at the ends and are safe for pets, which is great because they provide a pop of colour to any space they are placed in.
Which houseplants are dangerous for cats?
Certain plants are more harmful than others. When in doubt, avoid plants. Here are some houseplants not good for cats.
Lilies
Lilies are the most dangerous plants for cats. Consumption can result in renal failure, which needs immediate hospitalization and can be fatal even with therapy. Every aspect of the plant is toxic to cats, including the flowers, leaves, pollen, and even the water in the vase.
Your cat could have acute kidney failure simply by brushing across the plant, obtaining pollen on its fur, or drinking floral water. Because the risks are so significant, cat parents should avoid keeping any species of lily in their homes.
Sago Palm
Tropical plants are popular and are usually planted outside. However, indoor variants are also available. In cats, ingestion can result in liver damage that, even with treatment, may be fatal. Seizures, weakness/depression, bloody vomiting and diarrhoea are possible side effects.
Dieffenbachia
This plant, often called tropical snow or dumb cane, is usually not very harmful. However, it does include irritating substances that might lead to vomiting health issue, difficulty swallowing, and excruciating burning in the mouth.
Autumn Crocus
This flower that blooms in the fall can irritate the tongue, disturb the digestive system severely (sometimes even resulting in bloody vomiting), harm several organs, prevent the bone marrow, and, in some cases, even kill cats and dogs.
Onions & Chives
Onions and chives are not pet-friendly, although certain herbs are. In certain cases, they might result in life-threatening anaemia and the breakdown of red blood cells in addition to upset stomachs.
How Do You Know What Plants Are Safe for Cats?
It would be impossible to cover all the plants that grow in different climates and conditions here. So, keep in mind that this list of plants is not exhaustive, and there may be other plants that offer concerns if your cat is exposed to them. Before bringing a plant into your home, make sure it isn’t hazardous to cats.
Many plant names (particularly common names rather than scientific names) sound alike. To be on the safe side, conduct research before introducing any new plant into your home or yard where your cat may be exposed. You should know which indoor plants are safe for cats and which house plants are cat-friendly.
Purple waffle plant, Staghorn fern and Parlor palm are indoor trees safe for cats. Freesias, Lavender, Catmint, Calendula and Nasturtiums are outdoor plants safe for cats.
What to Do if your Cat Ingested a Toxic Plan?
First, reduce harmful exposure. Remove your pet from the plant and, if safe, remove plant components from their mouth or fur. While some portions of the plant may be more toxic than others, it is safest to presume that the entire plant is hazardous. Then, even if your cat isn’t showing symptoms yet, call your veterinarian right away. Symptoms can sometimes be delayed, but quick treatment makes a significant impact and may save a life.
If you need clarification on what the plant is, bring it or a bit of it to the veterinarian. Keep it separate from your cat throughout transportation to avoid exposing them to more of the toxin. Different plants require different treatments, which is critical for your veterinarian to understand.
If you are unable to reach a veterinarian immediately, consider calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Do not attempt home treatments or induce vomiting in your cat unless directed to do so by your veterinarian or a pet poison control expert.
Setting up Your Plants So They’re Safe for Cats
Remember that cats are superb jumpers and climbers, and they enjoy exploring. Toxic plants should never be brought into the home, but even with safe plant selections, don’t think your kitty buddy can’t reach plants on the counter or high shelves. Make sure you have a fully cat-proof area for anything you don’t want your pet to access.
This will not only protect your cat but also your new plant’s fronds from teeth marks, your kitty digging up the dirt and causing a mess, or knocking over and damaging a vase or pot.
The beauty of fresh flowers and plants may surely improve our homes and gardens by providing therapeutic advantages and increasing curb appeal. However, as responsible pet parents, we must protect the safety and well-being of our feline pets. This article has focused light on the potential risks of certain plants and highlighted a variety of safe alternatives, like cat grass and African violets. Remember that information is your most powerful ally in establishing a harmonious atmosphere in which both your plants and your pet kitties can flourish. By being aware and taking measures, you may enjoy the beauty of greenery while keeping your cat safe.
Must Read: Ultimate Cat Health Care Guide
Summary
Knowing which plants are safe for cats and which are toxic is critical to their well-being. Researching online guidelines and consulting with vets provide solid data. Spider plants, cat grass, catnip, polka dot plants, and bird’s nest ferns are all considered safe.
Toxic plants include lilies, sago palms, Dieffenbachia, autumn crocus, onions, and chives—careful observation for indicators of poisoning, such as vomiting health issue or lethargy, aids in early identification. Keeping hazardous plants out of reach and providing alternatives creates a safe environment for our feline companions. Regular updates on plant safety recommendations from reputable sources also help to maintain a cat-friendly house.
