Are Christmas cactus and other holiday decorations toxic to cats?
Even though Christmas cactus isn’t poisonous, other holiday decor may cause issues for your cats. Tinsel, ribbons, and small ornaments can cause major damage to the feline digestive system. Thankfully, another holiday favorite, the poinsettia plant is not toxic, in spite of its reputation. Amaryllis, however, is toxic, according to the ASPCA.
Is cactus poisonous to cats?
Nevertheless, it is not harmful or dangerous for your cat, dog, or horse. However, there have been reports of type I allergy in people working at a cactus nursery, notes a sturdy.
What to do if your cat eats your Christmas cactus?
If you see your cat eating your Christmas cactus plant, the first step is to remove it, and place it somewhere that your pet can’t access it. Keep an eye on your pet and see if he or she displays any symptoms. If he or she is otherwise healthy, there will most likely be no ill-effects.
Can pets and Christmas cactus coexist in the home?
Christmas cactus and pets can coexist in harmony in the home but preventive measures on other holiday plants should be taken. Place plants, such as poinsettia, up high where animals can’t reach them.
What happens if a cat eats Christmas cactus?
According to the ASPCA, this plant is nontoxic to cats, dogs, and horses. However, that doesn't mean that kitty can munch on the stems and flowers with no ill-effects. The pet poison helpline says that “serious toxicity is not expected,” but diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea may occur if any part of the plant is ingested.
What Christmas plants are poisonous to cats?
Poinsettias, lilies, holly berries and mistletoe are all problematic to your feline family members. Of all of these festive plants, lilies are the most toxic and are potentially fatal if ingested by cats. Any part of the plant, including the pollen, flower, stems and leaves are poisonous.
How do you keep cats out of Christmas cactus?
For some cats, cayenne pepper sprinkled liberally over the plant and the soil acts as a deterrent. Pet stores sell a number of commercial cat deterrents. One of the best ways to keep the cat out of a Christmas cactus is to plant it in a hanging basket.
Are cactus harmful to cats?
Cactus are not toxic if consumed, but their sharp spines make them hazardous to pets all the same.
Are Christmas cactus safe for cats and dogs?
If your pet considers Christmas cactus to be a treat for the teeth instead of the eyes and chows down accordingly, you don't need to panic. The ASPCA lists Christmas cacti as non-toxic for both dogs and cats―neither the cactus nor the flowers are poisonous to pets.
Are there any Christmas plants not toxic to cats?
Christmas Cactus This may be the only holiday plant to make the “nice list” as it is not toxic to cats (or dogs). Ingestion of any unfamiliar plant matter by cats, however, should be avoided, as it may result in stomach upset or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Why is my cat obsessed with my cactus?
Craving for different textures. The cat mostly eats meat, and the texture of your cactus may appear appealing. Your cat may want to bite on the plant to experience how it feels.
How do I get my cat to stop eating my succulents?
You can also make a few at home with vinegar, orange, lemon, cayenne pepper or chili pepper. Sprinkle pepper on your succulents or better mix it with water and spray it on your plants. The same can be done with citrus fruits; take diluted lemon or orange juice or white vinegar.
How do you care for a Christmas cactus indoors?
Temperature: Maintain an optimal climate of 65 degrees. Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist while your plant is blooming, misting it frequently. Light: Place the cactus in an east-facing window for moderate light and some direct sun. Fertilization: Apply a high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks once buds form.
Do cats hate cactus?
Cactus, miniature roses and other prickly or thorny plants also seem to deter cats.
Can cats be around succulents?
While succulents can be great, low-maintenance houseplants for humans, they are not always a great option if you have furry family members. If ingested, some varieties of this trendy plant could harm cats and dogs. Most succulents are nontoxic to our pets, but some are dangerous and even poisonous.
Are succulents OK for cats?
Luckily, most succulents are considered non-toxic and are harmless to pets when ingested. Others contain skin irritants that can cause minor skin irritations, and some can cause mild symptoms when ingested.
What Is Christmas Cactus?
The Christmas cactus–also called crab cactus, Thanksgiving cactus, or holiday cactus–is a member of the (surprise!) the cactus family. Although most people associate cacti with the desert, the Christmas cactus is actually a tropical plant that prefers a humid environment and moist soil.
A Cat-Friendly Cactus
The Christmas cactus is listed as non-toxic to cats by the Animal Poison Control database. While this may reassure you that your cat won’t be seriously harmed if they chew on a Christmas cactus, you should still take precautions, especially if your cat is a dedicated plant-eater.
What About Other Holiday Plants?
While you can feel relatively safe adding Christmas cacti to your holiday decor, the same isn’t true for some other well-known festive plants. Here are some winter holiday plants you should avoid if you have cats.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a unique and colorful plant to gift the cat lover in your life, a Christmas cactus is an excellent option thanks to its non-toxic nature. Make sure the plant isn’t treated with any pesticides or fertilizers, however.
What is the Christmas cactus?
Christmas Cactus ( Schlumbergera x buckleyi or sometimes mistakenly known as Schlumbergera bridgesii) is one of the 6-9 cacti in the genus Schlumbergera ( Zygocactus, Epiphyllum, Opuntiopsis or Zygocereus) in the cacti family, Cactaceae. The other famous one is the Thanksgiving cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata ).
What is the name of the cactus that grows in a 4 inch pot?
The other famous one is the Thanksgiving cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata ). While the W hitsun cactus or Easter cactus ( Hatiora gaertneri ) was also in this genus, they were moved to Hatiora. Buy It: Red Christmas Cactus Plant in a 4″ Pot, $7.79, Amazo n.
Can you take care of a Christmas cactus with a cat?
As you have seen, despite being very charming, and cat-safe caring for your Christmas cactus isn’t a walk in the park . If you find it too challenging, consider alternative cat-friendly houseplants like: Bromeliad plant. Echeveria glauca. Staghorn fern.
Can cactus cause ataxia in cats?
While not considered a serious threat, they may cause ataxia in cats if ingested that will be short-lived.
Can you propagate a Christmas cactus?
While you can quickly propaga te them, caring for them is not so easy.
Is a Christmas cactus dangerous for dogs?
However, you need to know that what is marketed as “Christmas cactus” and sometimes “Easter cactus” is the Thanksgiving cactus (S chlumbergera truncata), synonymous known as Zygocactus truncata and not Schlumbergera x buckleyi. Nevertheless, it is not harmful or dangerous for your cat, dog, or horse. However, there have been reports of type I ...
When will cats and houseplants be lethal?
March 22, 2021. December 16, 2020 by Clare Groom. As anyone who has had the misfortune of rushing their precious pet to the veterinarian with kidney failure can attest, houseplants and cats can be a potentially lethal combination. And the holiday season can cause even more headaches for pet parents, with dazzling amaryllis flowers, ...
Why do cats eat grass?
Recent research suggests that carnivores, including domestic cats, eat grass and other plant matter to rid themselves of internal parasites. Wild felines, such as lions, often have a high worm burden and eating non-digestible, fibrous plant matter can help to expel these from the intestines.
What to do if your cat has a puss?
If you have a particularly curious or playful puss, consider placing your Christmas cactus somewhere out of reach. “Out of reach” can obviously mean different things to different cats. When you have kittens shimmying up the curtains, the only place “out of reach” may be “out of the house,” and in these cases, you need to provide something more ...
Is Christmas cactus poisonous to cats?
Even though Christmas cactus isn’t poisonous, other holiday decor may cause issues for your cats. Tinsel, ribbons, and small ornaments can cause major damage to the feline digestive system. Thankfully, another holiday favorite, the poinsettia plant is not toxic, in spite of its reputation. Amaryllis, however, is toxic, according to the ASPCA.
Where do Christmas cactus live?
Epiphytes don’t need a soil based medium to live in but can survive in tree crotches and rocky depressions where organic material has collected and composted down to a rich humic base.
What is the color of the Christmas cactus?
The bright salmon to red flowers and intricate pads are characteristic of the Christmas cacti, which tends to bloom around Christmas and gives them their name. The plant is not a true cactus, however, but an epiphyte. It needs bright light and well-drained soil, with moderate water needs.
Do Christmas cacti bloom in the winter?
Image by Joanna R. Protz via GKH Scavenger Hunt. Christmas cacti are common gifts around the holidays. They tend to bloom in the winter, with showy flowers present for friends and family to admire as they attend winter festivities. The presence of small children and pets at family functions reminds us that not all plants are safe.
Is it safe to have a Christmas cactus in your house?
Mistletoe , holly (berries) and poinsettia are also common during the winter holidays and do have some toxic components, but it is safe to have the Christmas cactus in your home.
Can a Christmas cactus be used as a pet?
Christmas cactus and pets can coexist in harmony in the home but preventive measures on other holiday plants should be taken. Place plants, such as poinsettia, up high where animals can’t reach them. If the family pet is especially persistent, spray the plant with cayenne pepper dissolved in water.
How Christmas Cactus Plants Impact Pets' Health
If your pet considers Christmas cactus to be a treat for the teeth instead of the eyes and chows down accordingly, you don't need to panic. The ASPCA lists Christmas cacti as non-toxic for both dogs and cats―neither the cactus nor the flowers are poisonous to pets.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats a Christmas Cactus?
The first step is to give your veterinarian a call, and possibly head into the clinic for an examination. Vahrenwald says it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your pet's health. "Earlier intervention to reduce or treat clinical signs is always better than allowing symptoms to worsen."
Which Other Holiday Plants Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
While a Christmas cactus won't poison your pet, these other common Christmas plants and flowers will! Keep them out of your pets reach, or better yet, out of your home this holiday season.
What is Christmas Cactus?
Christmas cactus is a flowering, epiphytic cactus from the southeastern Brazilian jungles.
How Can You Be Sure Your Christmas Cactus Is Safe for Your Cat?
Take care to read the tag and any other information that comes with your plant to check for details on chemicals, fertilizers, and the like.
What Can You Do If Your Cat Breaks Your Christmas Cactus?
One excellent thing about the Christmas cactus is that it propagates easily through cuttings. If your cat breaks a piece off, poke it into some moist soil and place it in a warm area with bright, indirect sunlight area set down roots. It will soon begin to grow into a new plant.
Your Cat and Your Christmas Cactus Can Co-exist Year Round
It’s straightforward to take care of Christmas cactus year-round. They make an excellent hanging basket plant because, in nature, they grow on trees.
How Christmas Cactus Plants Impact Pets' Health
If your pet considers Christmas cactus to be a treat for the teeth instead of the eyes and chows down accordingly, you don't need to panic. The ASPCA lists Christmas cacti as nontoxic for both dogs and cats―neither the cactus nor the flowers are poisonous to pets.
What Should I Do If My Dog Eats a Christmas Cactus?
The first step is to give your veterinarian a call, and possibly head into the clinic for an examination. Vahrenwald says it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your pet's health. "Earlier intervention to reduce or treat clinical signs is always becometter than allowing symptoms to worsen."
Which Other Holiday Plants Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
While a Christmas cactus won't poison your dog, these other common Christmas plants and flowers will! Keep them out of your pets reach, or better yet, out of your home this holiday season.
