Are Snake Plants Poisonous to Cats?
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Are snake plants poisonous to cats?
Yes :(
Snake plant and cats look great in photos together, but they shouldn’t get too close! When you see your cat chewing on the leaves of your plants, specifically the snake plant, take measures to prevent this (see below).
Why are snake plants toxic to cats?
Mother-in-law tongues are poisonous to cats because of a little something called Saponin. This is a natural insecticide the plant produces in order to defend itself against harmful intruders, such as fungi, pests, diseases, infections, and animals trying to gnaw at them. Unfortunately, the entire plant contains this compound, with the highest concentration being in the thick leaves so not even a nibble would be wise.
Snake plants are also categorized as oxalate plants, which means they carry tiny crystals in their parts. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia states, “Oxalate crystals can cause intense pain and swelling if they come in contact with the skin or mouth.” Because of this, it’s also wise to use gloves when handling a wounded or open snake plant.
What if my cat already ate my snake plant?
You’re out of luck...I’m just kidding, there is still hope but you’ll want to take immediate action depending on how much of a chunk is gone and how your cat is reacting. You likely know your cat well and have seen them sick or not feeling good. Observe your kitty and look for vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, or mouth swelling. Once you notice these symptoms, take it to the vet. If you don’t observe these symptoms and you only see small indents in your snake plant’s skin, your cat will likely recover within a few days.
If there is a large chunk of your snake plant missing, grab your cat and immediately head to the vet.
Other steps you can take are to:
Give your cat a bath (sorry kitty) to rid of any sap on its fur or around its mouth.
Remove the snake plant from your cat’s reach.
Keep your cat away from other pets or children.
How can I prevent my cat from eating my snake plant?
Now that we can answer are snake plants poisonous to cats, we can take precautions to keep our cats from getting sick and our plants from being bitten. These great suggestions come from trusted plant and cat lovers alike:
Keep your snake plant out of your cat’s reach.
Use cat repellents on your plant’s leaves or on top of the soil (orange peels, coffee grounds, or dedicated cat repellents below).
Crop Control (has a smell cats dislike)
Train your cat to avoid plants by using the word “no” (it can be done! Check out this adorable video on how to teach your cat “no” from Albert & Mia YouTube channel).
Choose pet-safe plants.
A few examples of cat safe plants:
Chinese money tree Calathea Ponytail palm
Parlor palm Money tree Hibiscus
Cast iron plant Boston fern Polka dot plant
Good job getting in the know about snake plant and cats! Are snake plants poisonous to cats? Yes. You may also be thinking, are snake plants toxic to dogs, too? The answer is also yes. The saponin has a similar effect on dogs.
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Thanks for reading!
