Houseplants are a great way to add a unique touch to any living space. But if you own cats, you need to know that there are toxic houseplants out there that can be dangerous for felines.
When certain ingested by cats, certain houseplants can cause various symptoms. Some symptoms include vomiting, seizures, inflammation, irritations, and much more.
Below you will find the top twelve toxic houseplants for cats and the reasons and symptoms behind them.
List of Houseplants Poisonous to Cats
Jade Plant
The Jade Plant, also known as the money plant, is considered poisonous to felines for reasons unknown. When eaten, a cat experiences muscle control loss, vomiting, weakness, and more. Keeping a Jade Plant when you have cats requires a watchful eye; place it where cats cannot access it. Seek vet care immediately if ingested, as Jade Plant toxicity can be fatal.
Snake Plant
Snake Plant is a common houseplant amongst collectors, but if you have a cat, beware because it is poisonous. Snake Plant contains saponins, which can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting when chewed or ingested by cats. Snake Plant is also known as Sansevieria Trifasciata.
Pothos
The Pothos comes in a variety of types, but they are all best kept out of your cat’s reach. Pothos is a poisonous houseplant for felines because it has insoluble calcium oxalates. When consumed by a cat, they can experience mouth burning, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and more. Common Pothos varieties include Golden Pothos, Jade Pothos, and Neon Pothos.
Sago Palm
A Sago Palm may improve indoor air quality, but it’s unsafe for cats because of a dangerous compound called cycasin. This plant can cause bloody stool, paralysis, seizures, frequent urination, increased thirst, and more when ingested. Cat owners should know that the seed is the most toxic part and that Sago Palm is also known as Cycas Revoluta.
English Ivy
The classic vine-like plant, English Ivy, also known as Hedera Helix, is best kept out of a feline’s reach. A compound in English Ivy called triterpenoid saponins is harmful to cats when ingested. The toxic houseplant causes nausea, vomiting, bloating, increased thirst, loss of appetite, weakness, sneezing, dilated pupils, skin irritation, drooling, low blood pressure, fever, and more.
Peace Lilies
The stunning Peace Lily can cause various symptoms when ingested by cats. It is unsafe because it has insoluble calcium oxalates. A cat may experience low appetite, mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting. There are cases of cats grooming themselves after brushing past a Peace Lily and experiencing symptoms. Peace Lilies are also called Spathiphyllum.
Aloe
Aloe may provide a calming and soothing gel for humans, but cats have a different experience. Aloe is toxic for cats because it contains saponins and anthraquinones. The poisonous houseplant can cause red urine, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, diarrhea, depression, lethargy, vomiting, and tremors, when consumed.
Cutleaf Philodendrons
Cutleaf Philodendrons, also known as Split-leaf Philodendrons, brings the rainforest indoors, but they are dangerous to cats. Insoluble calcium oxalates in Cutleaf Philodendrons cause gastrointestinal tract irritation, drooling, and abdominal pain when eaten by cats. You should seek veterinary care immediately if your cat ingests Split-leaf Philodendrons.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant commonly known as dumb cane, but feline owners beware; it is toxic for cats. The insoluble calcium oxalates and proteolytic enzyme in the dumb cane causes cats to experience lip swelling, mouth ulcers, gagging, hypersalivation, and more when consumed.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is coveted for its medicinal properties for humans, but it is toxic for cats. That is due to chemical compounds found within Eucalyptus plants that can cause hypersalivation, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, and more. These symptoms can occur when a cat ingests, chews, touches, or inhales Eucalyptus.
Lucky Bamboo
Lucky Bamboo is one of the most popular indoor bamboo plant species, but cat owners should think twice about purchasing it. Lucky Bamboo is unsafe for cats because of the compounds taxiphyllin and saponins found in the plant. It can cause abdominal pain, dilated pupils, drooling, and increased heart rate. Lucky Bamboo can also be labeled for sale as Chinese Bamboo.
Anthurium
The striking flowers of an Anthurium add a nice floral touch to plant collections, but it is unsafe for cats. When consumed, cats may experience hypersalivation, oral irritation, vomiting, eye irritation upon contact, trouble swallowing, and more. That is due to a compound called insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Cat owners should know that Anthurium is also called Flamingo Flower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not all houseplants can make cats sick, but certain ones do. Cat owners should buy houseplants with caution and avoid those with insoluble calcium oxalates and other harmful compounds.
Depending on the type of houseplant ingested, signs may vary. Common signs that your cat ingested toxic houseplants are itchiness, mouth irritation, frequent urination, vomiting, drooling, general weakness, and swelling.