Poisonous and non-toxic houseplants for cats - with our ultimate guide you are well informed
For a carefree life in the household with cats and other pets, it is important that you pay special attention to the selection of houseplants. In our article poisonous and non-toxic houseplants, you will learn what you should look for when choosing plants, what non-toxic houseplants for cats are available and how to protect your pet from poisoning.
Poisonous plants for cats
Certain houseplants are very toxic to cats even when consumed in the smallest amounts. In addition to vomiting and cramps, diarrhea can be a symptom of poisoning.
The following houseplants are poisonous to cats:
- Aloe vera
- Cyclamen
- Amaryllis
- Asparagus
- Azaleas
- Tree Friend (Philodendron)
- Birch fig (Ficus benjamini)
- Bow hemp (Sansevieria)
- Nettle
- Caladium
- Calla
- Chilli
- Chrysanthemums
- Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia)
- Dragon Tree (Dracaena)
- Ivy (Hedera)
- Ivy (Epipremnum pinnatum)
- Unicorn (Spathiphyllum)
- Elephant's foot (Beaucarnea recurvata)
- Elephant Ear (Alocasia)
- Window leaf (Monstera)
- Flamingo flower (Anthurium andreanum)
- Lucky Feather (Zamioculcas)
- Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
- Kalanchoe
- Lilies
- Daffodils
- Orchids
- Cycas revoluta
- Palm lily (Yucca)
- Radiation Aralia
- Strelitzia (Strelitzia)
- Tulips
- Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
- Christmas Cactus
All information without guarantee. Please note that we do not assume any responsibility for the completeness of the list or for the general compatibility of the non-toxic plants described. In any case, contact your veterinarian if you are unsure about a plant or its consumption by the cat.
How to quickly recognize the symptoms of possible poisoning in cats
Poisoning in cats occurs when pets have been exposed to certain substances or have eaten them. Basically, a toxin is anything that seriously interferes with the cat's metabolism. In most cases, small amounts are enough for symptoms and health disorders to occur.
The following symptoms can indicate poisoning in cats:
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness
- Diarrhoea
- Vomit
- Heart and circulatory collapse
- Cramps
- Symptoms of paralysis
- Foaming at the mouth
- weak pulse
- severely constricted or dilated pupils
- heavy salivation
- Lurch
- Constipation
- Tremble
Symptoms can occur individually or in combination and vary depending on the type and severity of the cat's poisoning. In addition to the acute and obvious symptoms of poisoning, there are also poisonings that insidiously make themselves felt in cats. Increasing health problems such as kidney failure or liver damage must be taken into account. However, it is important that you act immediately when the symptoms appear and take the cat to the vet. This is the only way to help your cat and provide targeted treatment after poisoning.
Important: In the case of poisoning, it is important that the veterinarian is informed as accurately as possible. Therefore, you should know which plants you have at home and which possible harmful substances (cleaning agents, paints and varnishes, medicines) were freely accessible and when the poisoning may have occurred.
When is a plant poisonous to cats?
Basically, a distinction can be made between poisonous plants for cats and non-toxic plants for cats. But the topic of non-toxic houseplants is not quite that simple. The physician and alchemist Paracelsus, who lived in the 16th century, already made it clear: "Dose sola facit venenum" - the dose alone makes the poison. The proverb shows that basically everything is toxic and that the amount alone determines toxicity. What does this mean for pets in the green apartment?
Whether houseplants are poisonous to cats depends on:
- the dose/amount of plant parts consumed
- the size/weight of the pet
- the state of health/condition and the age of the animal
- the poison content of the plant (variable depending on location and cultivation conditions, fertilization and variety)
- Use of plant protection products
- Use of decorative elements such as artificial snow or glitter
Non-toxic plants for cats
Even with a cat, you don't have to do without houseplants. With careful choice of plants, you can enjoy the benefits of flowering and green plants carefree and enhance your home with magnificent greenery. In addition to cat grass, there are also a variety of cat plants that are suitable for species-appropriate room greening. Only with the careful selection of plants can you ensure safe handling for the cat in the house.
The following species are considered non-toxic plants for cats:
- Banana plant (Musa)
- Mountain palm tree (Chamaedorea elegans)
- Bromeliads (Bromeliaceae), e.g. Guzmania, Tillandsia, etc.
- Calathea (Basket marante)
- Thick leaf (Crassula), e.g. Money plant (Crassula ovata)
- Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)
- Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera)
- Cobbler's Palm (Aspidistra elatior)
- Pilea (Pilea peperomioides)
- Dwarf pepper (Peperomia obtusifolia)
Why do cats nibble on plants?
The vivid greenery fascinates cats and often nibbles on plants out of fun, play, boredom or curiosity. Furthermore, selected non-toxic plants can help the animals to regurgitate the hairballs (bezoars) more easily. Cats nibble on plants because they have a need for fiber that helps them with digestion or stomach cleansing. The daily grooming of house cats brings a variety of hair into the cat's stomach. You can support the natural process of vomiting the hairballs by providing cat grass. The Cyprus grass, which is available in organic quality, is suitable as a year-round feed supplement. It supports digestion and ensures an optimal vitamin supply for cats, birds and rodents.
Food plants for cats
For cats, special food plants are very important as a supplement to other cat food. The preferences of house cats are very different. Selected food plants are safe for cats and a high consumption is also unproblematic. The pets eat intuitively and know what amounts of food plants are good for them. Domestic cats consume the organic material mainly to cleanse their stomachs and promote digestion.
Well-known food plants for cats are:
- Cat grass
- Catmint (Nepeta cataria)
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
You can also offer your cats wheatgrass or oatgrass. Both are sown as seeds on Kölle organic soil and are available to pets within a few days. Make sure you only use special seeds, such as cat grass seeds. This is because grasses often have sharp edges and are not suitable as a food plant for cats. Some cats also prefer herbs such as lavender, parsley, mint or marigolds. Pay attention to the origin, because the cultivation must have taken place exclusively without pesticides. Organic food plants are important for cats.
Keep cats away from plants
To protect your cat and the plants, it is important that pets stay away from certain plants. If the houseplants are unattractive, such as cacti, the animals stay at a safe distance from the plants. With other plants, it may be necessary to take precautions so that the cats do not get to the greenery. This is possible, for example, by placing them on shelves or furniture to become unreachable for the cats. In some cases, cotton wool soaked in lemon juice also helps to keep pets away from the plants. Intense smells such as chili, aloe vera or pepper can also help to deter the house tigers.
Basically, the following applies: If the pets are sufficiently occupied and provided with food plants, there is less chance that the room greenery will be nibbled.
Why you should have plants in your home despite pets
Plant in the house have a positive effect on the indoor climate and the mood. Houseplants have the ability to improve indoor air quality and increase oxygen levels. Furthermore, pollutants are broken down and Houseplants are an absolute enrichment in every home. Animals also feel comfortable with plants in the house. Houseplants bring a change from furniture for pets – especially cats – and thus enrich their living space. It is important that you as a pet owner know which plants are poisonous to cats and which you can choose without hesitation.
Knowledge fact: Animals love plants, so it is important that you improve the pets' habitat with selected houseplants. Furthermore, the indoor climate is improved by houseplants.
Houseplants with cats - you should consider these care instructions
Even after carefully selecting the right plants for your home, it is important that you keep a close eye on whether the pets ignore the harmless decorative plants or nibble on them.
It is important that you take the following into account when caring for plants in the cat household:
- Avoid using fertilizer sticks and solid fertilizer. Both can be interesting and dangerous for the cat at the same time.
- Only use organic soil and organic liquid fertiliser.
- Refrain from using pesticides and leaf gloss.