Last Updated on May 15, 2022 by Guillermina
Is Kalanchoe poisonous to cats? If you have a furry family, like cats and dogs, choosing your houseplant is vital to their survival. As we all know, fur coats like to nibble on a lot of stuff including plants. If you have a naughty cat, succulents can be very attractive to them. Unfortunately, Kalanchoe is not an exception.
Kalanchoe is a plant native to African countries where the weather condition is arid. But the hard truth is that it is poisonous to cats. Like many other succulents, Kalanchoe contains a poisonous sap called saponin.
Essentials Of Kalanchoe
Well known as an indoor plant, kalanchoe is a blossoming plant with low maintenance. It has red, pink, red, yellow, white, or orange blossoms, making them a splendid decoration for a bright spot in your home. There are many sorts of kalanchoes, however, these succulents ordinarily have thick, waxy leaves showing scalloped edges.
Side Effects Of Ingestion In Cats
Kalanchoe is viewed as harmful to cats. The poisonousness in kalanchoe plants comes from guaianolides, which is a cardiovascular poison. The most widely recognized signs of poisoning include gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and loose bowels. Ingesting a lot of a kalanchoe plant could cause a strange heartbeat or rate, albeit this secondary effect is not common. Your pet can easily break down or suffer from cardiac arrest if your cat happens to ingest a lot of Kalanchoe leaves.
What To Expect If Your Cat Has Ingested Kalanchoe
Assuming that your inquisitive cat nibbles your kalanchoe and gives indications of disorder, eliminate the plant from your pet’s mouth in the event that they didn’t swallow it yet.
Call your vet right away and watch your cat for signs of poisoning. Cut a sample of your plant and take it to the vet, so your vet can identify the medicine for your cat. Believe us, the vet knows.
Note that there is no direct antidote to succulent poisoning so the vet may administer medicines to manage the symptom until your cat feels fine. For example, if your cat suffers from severe diarrhea your cat may be put on an IV. It is possible that the cat will also be placed in the vet clinic for a week.
Kalanchoe Vs. Birds Of Paradise
It is important that you don’t confuse the Kalanchoe plant with another plant that almost looks like it. It is known as the bird of Paradise, which is more toxic to cats when ingested than the kalanchoe. Within the first few minutes, your cat may suffer vomiting, diarrhea, and drooling. Sometimes, your cat will have difficulty swallowing because of the clogged and inflamed.
If your cat has swallowed the Birds of Paradise, you should bring your cat right away to the vet. Waiting for another day might lead to more serious situations. Bird of Paradise ordinarily blossoms in the pre-spring or late winter, yet it can bloom at different seasons when given ideal circumstances.
These plants develop with upstanding leaves arising straightforwardly from the dirt and have no trunk. The enormous passes on range from 12 to 18 inches long and can get parts in the leaf when presented to blustery circumstances or brushed against in a bustling lobby. Strelitzia is poisonous to felines and dogs.
The following are other plants that are dangerous to cats.
- Lily
- Cyclamen
- Daffodils
- Tulips
- Hyacinth
- Sago Palm
- Dieffenbachia
- Autumn Crocus
Tips For Preventing Kalanchoe Poisoning In Cats
Kalanchoe is a genus of more than 150 plant species, which are commonly found in Africa and Madagascar.
Since its popularity rose all over the world, it has become a favorite house plant for many countries. If you have this lovely yet poisonous plant in the home, the following are some tips to help keep your pets safe.
- Place your Kalanchoe in a spot that is hard to reach by your pets. It’s best if you hang them in pots on the balcony or patio. Even so, kalanchoe is always the perfect plant to place outside because of its fast-growing nature. In a matter of months, they can grow full with lots of leaves and blooms with proper exposure to sunlight.
- Put your pet’s food pan away from your plants. If you have a couple of other plants, other than kalanchoe it’s best to separate your pet’s food pan to help them avoid temptation. Cats will naughtily nibble on your plants the moment they get used to their smell. Moreover, you might confuse your pets if you place their food closer to where your plants are.
- Put your cat in its cage whenever you’re away. If you do a trip to the grocery or have a little emergency, wherein you have to be away for a day or two, it’s better to place your cat in the cage so he or she won’t play with your plants. Of course, leave some food and water. If you have to be away longer, we suggest having a babysitter for your cat.
FAQs
Are all kalanchoes poisonous?
The answer is yes. Kalanchoes are a few of the many plants with deceiving looks. You may see them as beautiful plants, but your pets must never eat them.
Is kalanchoe pet friendly?
No. If you are aiming at having more pet-friendly plants in the home, kalanchoe is definitely not a choice. Some pet-friendly plants include bird’s nest fern, spider plant, rattlesnake plant, calathea, and parlor palm. Before buying any plant, you must research its toxicity. This is also true if you have kids in the home, who might accidentally chew their leaves when playing.
How do I keep my cat from eating poisonous plants?
There’s no direct way to keep your cats from eating poisonous plants. House cats who like to meander around the home and in the neighborhood can chew plants whenever they want to. If you have houseplants, there’s no safer way to keep your cats from them other than keeping them in hard-to-reach places.
Are kalanchoe and cats a good combination?
Unfortunately, no. There are many beautiful houseplants you can choose from for home decoration, especially if you have cats. You need to be extra careful in choosing the variety of plants that you place in your home if you have pets around.
