Cat-proofing your home can feel like an impossible task, especially if you're a proud plant parent. Aside from scratched leaves and fallen pots, plants and cats can be very incompatible, and some plant species are incredibly toxic to our cat friends.
Do you want to fill your home with the best scented plants and make it smell good? Unfortunately, many of the most popular plant species are deadly toxic to cats and should be kept out of reach of curious paws.
We spoke to gardening experts to identify houseplants that are toxic to cats, and find out which plants you should avoid owning if you have a cat and the reasons behind them.
5 common houseplants that are toxic to cats
When it comes to keeping your home safe for cats, your plant collection may be the last thing on your mind. However, many types of houseplants are incredibly toxic to our little bearded friends, and some of them can be fatal if injected.
We spoke to plant experts to find out which species are particularly poisonous, and here are some of the most dangerous plants to avoid for cats.
1. Peace Lily
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Unfortunately, the peace lily, one of the most common houseplants, is also one of the most poisonous to cats, so forget about worrying about your peace lily's tips turning brown.
Speaking to Mark Lane, a professional gardener and presenter of BBC Gardener's World, he was quick to point out how poisonous these plants are.
“Although peace lilies do not belong to the lily family, which is highly toxic to dogs and cats, it is important to remember that they are still harmful to pets,” he said.
The reason for its toxicity is that the plant is covered with tiny needles, which are extremely painful for animals when ingested. Mark says, “Every part of the plant contains nanoscale needle-like crystals known as insoluble oxalates.”
If you want to keep peace lilies close at hand, we recommend investing in a plant stand where the leaves are out of reach. Sold for £20.89 on Amazon, this steel plant stand measures 58cm high and is perfect for keeping plants and cats safe. If you are faced with the common problem of drooping peace lily leaves, a raised pot will come in very handy.
As well as being a presenter on the BBC's Gardener's World, Mark is also a certified gardening expert with stair lift and home lift company Stannah. When Mark isn't offering helpful tips and tricks to make your green thumb bloom, he also runs his own gardening business.
2. Philodendron
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Philodendrons are leafy plants that are great for brightening up your home and are one of the top plants to cheer you up this winter. However, they are a major threat to cats and other pets, and like the peace lily, their foliage can be dangerous.
“Like Peace Lily, philodendron contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation if chewed or ingested. Cats may experience excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. , in rare cases severe swelling can occur, ”explains horticulturalist Nadezhda Yaneva. She is also the plant expert for Fantastic Gardeners.
3. Dumb stick
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Another plant that features toxic calcium oxalate crystals, dumb cane, also known as dieffenbachia, is highly toxic to cats if the leaves and stems are ingested.
Your silly cane plant may bring positive energy to your home, but its leaves are a little too attractive for little paws and teeth. “Chewing these crystals causes severe burning and swelling in the mouth and tongue, leading to difficulty breathing and swallowing. Due to potential breathing difficulties, ingestion should be treated seriously,” says Nadezhda. says Mr.
4. Pothos
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You may have picked up a pothos, as it's one of the easiest houseplants to grow, but if you have a feline friend, you may want to put it up higher or get rid of it completely.
Nicknamed “devil's vine,” this plant may have all the signs to warn cat owners to stay away from this plant. Like other plants on this list, pothos contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause canker sores, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by cats.
If you want to easily update your home for spring, it's best to choose artificial plants or perhaps safer plants.
5. Snake plant
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One of the best plants to prevent condensation in a room, snake plants make a great addition to bathrooms and especially humid rooms. However, this plant is highly toxic to cats and other pets.
Unlike other plants, the snake plant contains saponins, which are not very dangerous to cats, but ingesting the plant can cause considerable discomfort. Nadezhda says, “Although usually not life-threatening, these symptoms can cause discomfort and dehydration in your cat, so it's best to keep this plant away from your pet.”
FAQ
What plants are most toxic to cats?
There are many plant species that pose varying degrees of danger to cats, but the peace lily poses the most threat. Speaking to the Cat Protection Authority's Central Veterinary Officer, Sarah Elliott highlighted how peace lilies are extremely toxic, especially to cats.
“Lilies are the most dangerous plant for cats, and one of the most common poisons reported to vets. However, less than half (47%) of UK cat owners believe that lilies are poisonous to cats. ,” she says.
There is no way to reduce the threat of peace lilies, and removing stamens and pollen will not help, but this is a common misconception. Sarah explains how the entire plant is poisonous, including the leaves, stems, and petals.
What are the chances that a cat will eat a poisonous plant?
Cats are known to be inquisitive and sometimes destructive creatures, but are the chances of them eating plants really something we should worry about? According to Sarah, cats can be easily reached at the right height. Cats are more likely to nibble on plants that are in the forest, and drooping leaves are particularly appealing to cats.
Sarah also warns that cats can drink water with standing plants or cut flowers, or ingest pollen rubbed into their fur while grooming. For this reason, choosing a safe location for the plants you care for is an important first step to keeping your cat safe, and high shelves or hanging baskets are especially helpful for this.
Those who have started the journey of finding out how to parent plants, both outdoor and indoor plants, are probably completely unaware of the dangers that these species pose. So much so that you may be looking at your peace lily with a look of horror right now.
It's not very common for your cat to eat plants, but if you notice that your cat has ingested some parts of a poisonous plant or plants in general, consider adding yogurt or lactose-free milk as a way to alleviate symptoms. We recommend one or the other. . However, in any case, you should always call your veterinarian for immediate help, as the problem may be much worse than you think.