As a cat owner, you may have wondered if the plants in your home are safe for your cat. In this post we will look more specifically at the question “are orchids poisonous to cats?”.
Evidence shows that there are around 25,000 orchid species and around 100,000 hybrids around the world. Although orchids make a great addition to your home, the problem is, not all flowers and cats mix as some can be toxic to cats.
You may not think this will be an issue because why would a cat eat a flower in the first place? Cats are extremely curious creatures and could easily take a nibble or accidentally consume some.
As a safe environment in your home is extremely important for your cat, we are going to cover everything you need to know. Here are some of the things we will cover:
- Flower toxicity in cats
- Are orchids poisonous to cats?
- Why do cats like flowers?
- Which flowers are poisonous to cats?
- Symptoms of flower poisoning
- Plus much more!
Flower Toxicity in Cats
As plants can’t run away, their survival mechanism is to produce toxins to prevent them from getting eaten by animals and insects. The reason that toxic plants are so dangerous to cats is because some toxins have immediate access to their body as they take a bite.
Are Orchids Poisonous To Cats?
Although orchids may give your cat an upset tummy if consumed, the good news is that orchids are not toxic to cats, and this is backed up by the ASPCA. The main issue is not the actual orchid itself, but the fertilizers used.
Fertilizer is used because it helps the orchid to grow. Unfortunately, these fertilizers are toxic for your cat and some of them will cause harm as soon as they are ingested. Here are three solutions to this problem:
- Â Find species of orchids that grow very well without the need of fertilizer.
- Â Only apply fertilizer to the roots of the plant and not on the actual foliage.
- Â Use organic or natural alternatives to fertilizer.
Are orchids safe to have around cats?
Orchids are perfectly safe to have around cats as they are non-toxic, providing you do not use any fertilizer, as this can be toxic if consumed by your cat.
What happens if a cat eats an orchid?
A side effect most commonly reported with a cat consuming an orchid is a mild stomach ache. This can often cause sickness or diarrhea, depending upon how sensitive your cats stomach is.
Although an orchid is not toxic and you shouldn’t really be too concerned if your cat has eaten an orchid, just keep a close eye on them just to be on the safe-side. If symptoms do persist for longer periods, then just contact a veterinarian for advice.
Why Do Cats Like Flowers So Much?
You may be wondering why a cat would even be interested in an orchid in the first place. Any cat owner will know that cats are extremely curious creatures. They watch on with curiosity as you do everything around the house.
“Curiosity killed the cat” as the saying goes.
One of the reasons for a cats interest in flowers is their strong sense of smell. Due to a cat having14 to 20 times more smell receptors than a human, they will smell a new orchid in the home which will spark curiosity and make them want to investigate.
Cats also eat grass, so with plants and flowers having a similar texture, it’s no surprise that your cat will want to have a few nibbles of your orchid.
Which flowers are poisonous to cats?
Although orchids are not toxic for cats, there are other popular plants that are toxic and dangerous for a cat. Here is a list:
- Ago Palms
- Amaryllis
- Autumn crocus
- Azalea
- Caladium
- Calla lily
- Cape jasmine
- Carnation
- Chrysanthemum
- Cyclamen
- Daffodil
- Daisy
- Day lilies
- Devil’s ivy
- Dieffenbachia
- Easter lily
- English Ivy
- Foxglove
- Hosta
- Wandering Jew
- Hyacinth
- Kalanchoe
- Lily
- Lily of the valley
- Marijuana
- Mum
- Narcissus
- Oleander
- Peace lily
- Poinsettia
- Pothos
- Rhododendron
- Rhubarb
- Sago palm
- Spanish thyme
- Stargazer lily
- Tulip
- Yew
These are just some of the toxic plants to give you an idea. If you’d like to see a full list, then check out the poison control cat plants list over on the ASPCA website.
Flower Poisoning Symptoms In Cats
Symptoms will vary from mild to fatal, depending upon a number of factors such as the type of flower, amount ingested, and the each individual cat will react differently.
Here are some of the symptoms:
- Â Â Â Mouth irritation
- Â Â Â Excessive salivation
- Â Â Â Vomiting
- Â Â Â DiarrheaÂ
More serious symptoms include:
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Death
If you feel your cat has ingested something that they shouldn’t, and are showing any of the above symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately.
What Plants Are Safe For Cats?
If you love both flowers and cats, then one of your main concerns may be which kind of plants you can have in your home without putting your cat in danger.
Here is a list of plants that are considered none-toxic by the ASPCA:
- African Violet
- Areca Palm
- Baby Tears
- Bamboo Vine
- Boston Fern
- Calathea (Zebra plants or Peacock plants)
- Christmas Cactus
- Freckle Face (Polka Dot Plant)
- Gloxinia
- Moth Orchid
- Orchids
- Royal Velvet Plant
- Spider Plant
- Staghorn Fern
- Venus Fly Trap
Flowers that are considered safe:
- Rose
- Sunflower
- Zinna
- Snapdragon
- Gerber Daisy
- Cosmos
- Celosia
- Hollyhock
- Bee Balm
- Aster
- Cornflower
- Echinacea
- Astilbe
- Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Coreopsis
- Torch Lily
- Jasmine
How Do You Keep Cats Away From Orchids?
Although orchids are not toxic to your cat, you still don’t want them eating your orchids or any other houseplants you may have. Here are some tips you can follow:
- Place Orchids Out Of A Cats Reach: For this you have a few different options. You can either use wall-mounted cases, hang planters in windows, or just simply have a designated room in your house where you can close the door to keep your cat out.
- Grow Cat Grass: Growing cat grass offers will offer an alternative to them chewing on your orchids. Check out the video below on how to grow cat grass.
- Deterrent: Mixing up a spray of water and vinegar and applying it to your flowers should prevent them from eating it. Just make sure to check that it’s not going to cause harm to your cat.
Conclusion
Just to summarize everything we covered in this article. Are orchids poisonous to cats? Orchids are completely safe for cats and are on the ASPCA’s safe list of plants for cats.
The most important thing to remember is to not use fertilizer on your orchids as this is toxic for cats. Either buy species of orchids that grow well without fertilizer or follow the tips in the section above on how to keep cats away from orchids.
Resources:
Orchideria: https://orchideria.com/are-orchids-poisonous-to-cats/
ASPCA: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/phalaenopsis-orchid
Freaky Pet: https://www.freakypet.com/blogs/news/cats-and-flowers-are-orchids-poisonous-to-cats
