If you’re a cat owner who loves a bit of greenery in your home, you’re probably wondering whether your houseplants are safe for your feline friends. One popular houseplant, the snake plant (also called Sansevieria or mother-in-law’s tongue), is well-loved for its hardiness and air-purifying abilities. But before you put one in your living room, it’s important to consider, “Are snake plants toxic to cats or not?”. In this blog, we’ll explore if snake plants are poisonous to cats, how to spot symptoms of toxicity, and some pet-friendly plant alternatives.
Is Snake Plant Cat Safe?
So, let’s address the main question: “Are snake plants toxic to cats if they eat them? Yes, unfortunately, snake plant is not cat safe. The plant contains saponins, which can cause gastrointestinal issues if ingested. So, if your curious cat chews on the leaves, these compounds can irritate their stomach lining, leading to discomfort that might even require a visit to the vet.
How Is Saponins Harmful To Cats?
The reason snake plants are poisonous to cats is due to the presence of chemical compounds called saponins. These glycosides have soap-like qualities that can upset the digestive system and cause inflammation. Here’s a brief explanation of how saponins affect your cat:
- Inflammation: When eaten, saponins can inflame the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines.
- Soap-like Effect: The soap-like qualities of saponins can damage cell membranes, causing cell contents to leak, which worsens digestive discomfort.
These compounds help guard the plant against pests and plant-eaters, but they can harm our furry friends. So this makes it essential for pet owners to be cautious when choosing plants for a home with cats.
Signs Of Plant Poisoning In Cats
By now we are clear that the snake plant is not cat safe but is there any way to check if it has eaten this plant? Yes, for sure ! The following symptoms can tell if your cat is poisoned or not:
- Vomiting: First, your cat might start vomiting over and over again.
- Diarrhea: Next, your cat might start passing loose stools .
- Drooling: Furthermore, if you notice your cat drooling excessively, it is possible that the plant has irritated his mouth.
- Pale Gums: In addition, if your cat’s gum suddenly turns pale or white, it is a serious signal that needs immediate attention.
- Lethargy: If all of a sudden your cat lacks energy or feels tired it could mean something is wrong.
- Loss of Appetite: Additionally, a sudden loss of appetite is another warning sign.
- Difficulty Breathing: Also, toxic plants can cause breathing problems, so look out for any respiratory distress.
- Lack of Coordination: The most obvious sign is that if your cat seems unsteady or is having trouble walking, it is indeed poisoning.
- Tremors or Seizures: Furthermore, in more severe cases, your cat might experience muscle tremors or even seizures.
- Increased Heart Rate: Check your cat’s heartbeat. A rapid heartbeat could also be a sign of poisoning.
If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t wait and reach out to your vet right away!
What to Do If Your Cat Eats a Snake Plant?
If you catch your cat nibbling on a snake plant, here’s what to do:.
- Contact Your Vet: Explain what happened, including any symptoms and how much your cat may have ingested.
- Monitor Your Cat: Watch for any worsening symptoms in the next 24 hours.
- Provide Water: Hydration may help flush out mild toxins, but always check with your vet first.
How To Prevent Cats From Eating Snake Plants
Cats are naturally curious animals; therefore, it really becomes a challenge to keep snake plants at a safe distance from your feline. However, it is still possible; just follow the below tricks:
- Moving the Plant Out of Reach: The simplest way to keep your cat safe is by placing your plant on a high shelf or in a room where it cannot reach.
- Consider Adding Barriers: Secondly, if your cat is extra mischievous and moving the plant doesn’t work enough then cover your plant with barriers like chicken wire or mesh. This will block your cat’s access to the plant.
- Try Making the Plant Smell Unappealing: Additionally, cats hate certain smells, so you can spray the plant with a mixture of water and citrus or essential oil. This will indeed keep your cat away from the plant.
- Follow Up with Pet-Safe Sprays: Moreover, for an extra layer of protection, you can use pet-safe spray on your plant to keep cats away.
- Don’t Forget to Offer Alternatives: Now your cat eats your plant because of their natural tendency to chew, so you should provide them grass or wheatgrass. These will thus satisfy your cat’s chewing instincts and divert their attention.
- Use Training and Deterrents: Surprisingly, positive reinforcement can work wonders. So, give your cat rewards like treats or praise when they ignore the plant.
Therefore, by combining these strategies, you can keep your cat safe while still enjoying the beauty of your snake plant.
9 Cat Safe Plants That Are Alternative to Snake Plants
In case the above methods to keep your cat away from dangerous snake plants don’t work, you can very well try keeping the following pet-friendly plants. These plants are equally beautiful and also are not harmful to cats. Have a look:
- Zebra Calathea
- Friendship Plant
- Watermelon peperomia
- Brazilian Orchid
- African Voilet
- Staghorn Fern
- Gloxinia
- Polka Dot Plant
Now these plants may not be exactly similar to snake plants but they can still add similar beauty and texture to your space.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully the answer to “Is Snake plant cat Safe?” is clear now. So, while snake plants can certainly brighten up your home, it’s important to keep in mind that these are unfortunately harmful to cats. Moreover, keeping them away from your cats is really tough, as they are naturally curious animals. But look for the symptoms if she has eaten the plant and take it to the vet immediately. Moreover, it’s always a good idea to opt for non-toxic plants for cats and stay worry-free.
FAQ
1. Are all snake plant species poisonous to cats?
Yes, all varieties of snake plants contain saponins, which are harmful to cats.
2. Can a small amount of snake plant harm my cat?
While a small amount might not cause severe issues, it’s best to avoid allowing your cat to ingest any part of the snake plant.
3. What other houseplants should I avoid if I have a cat?
Some other common houseplants that are dangerous for cats include lilies, philodendrons, and pothos. Always double-check before bringing new plants into your home.
4. Are snake plants safe for other pets?
Snake plants are also dangerous for dogs and other pets as well, so it’s a good idea to keep them out of reach of all animals.
