Last Updated on July 16, 2021 by Marco C.
Succulents’ plants are more famous than ever since they are easy to care for. Most of them can grow with minimal watering. They work well as houseplants too.
As you may know, succulents are marked by their and fleshy leaves. They are native to desert environments that is why they can easily adapt to sunny environments. Succulents can thrive both indoors and outdoors.
Many homeowners love succulents. Of course, experienced gardeners and budding green thumbs are no exception.
While succulents can be great and low-maintenance they are not always a great choice if you have furry family members in the family.
If ingested, some succulent varieties can be deadly to your pets. Today on the blog, we will tackle the different succulent varieties that may cause harm to your cats.
Succulents That Are Poisonous To Cats
If you have a cat in your home, you should avoid the following varieties of succulents.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one of the most common succulents. We have seen this variety in many places around the world. Most of them are grown indoor but you might want to change your mind especially if you have pets.
While aloe vera plants are medicinal, their sap can be poisonous to pets. This plant contains a component known as “saponins”, which can cause gastrointestinal damage. Signs that your cats have ingested aloe vera may include diarrhea, lethargy, and vomiting.
Aloe plants are characterized by spiked tendrils. Some varieties have spotted foliage. If you think your cat has ingested an aloe vera, bring him to the vet right away.
Kalanchoe
We know how much you love your kalanchoe. But we highly advise that you keep it away from your pets. Kalanchoe has beautiful blossoms with different colors. The colors can range from pale pink to fiery orange.
It is also a popular houseplant. Anyone who is collecting succulents must have a kalanchoe in their collection. Since they are already common, they are easy to get hold of.
Ingesting kalanchoe can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and breathing discomfort in dogs. Do not ignore the sign of poisoning. Even if you are not sure whether your plants are the cause, you must bring your dog to the vet right away upon showing these signs.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia is a family of cacti. They have a large diverse genus characterized by their tiny, low-growing plants.
Since euphorbia comes in many varieties you have to know which one you’ve one. Or you have to be careful when buying if you have a cut at home. The pencil cactus and crown of thorns are known to be poisonous to cats.
Some symptoms may include skin and eye irritation. Many people have been asking the same question: “are succulents bad for cats?” By now you must be surprised by the many succulent varieties that are poisonous to your cat.
Even so, you can control accidents by placing your plants in the proper location.
Jade: Are Succulents Bad For Cats?
Have you ever wondered if your jade is harmful to your cats? Well, we are sad to say that is among the list of succulent varieties that are bad for cats.
Like aloe vera, jade is a common houseplant. They are easy to grow and the level of care required for them to thrive is small.
Jade plants have thick, woody stems and plump. They have oval leaves that is why they look like a bonsai tree. Again, if your cats have ingested jade they could suffer from gastrointestinal upset and incoordination.
You should keep your pet in check if you have jade in your home. Better yet, place your pant in areas where they are not easy to reach.
Succulents That Are Safe For Cats
Are succulents bad for cats? Not all succulents are bad for cats. While there are varieties that are extremely harmful, there are succulents that don’t do any harm to them.
If you are going to add more to your plant collection, think of succulent varieties that are safe for cats. In this section, let’s look at some pet-friendly options for your dogs.
Haworthia
If you are a fan of aloe vera’s spiked silhouette, we would recommend you to get haworthia as a replacement. This beautiful succulent looks like a mini aloe vera. The advantage is that it is not bad for cats. It is also known as zebra cactus because of its zebra-like color. It is very easy to grow. In fact, you can grow it indoors. It is ultimately nontoxic that is why we love it.
Burros Tail
Another pet-friendly succulent is the Burro’s Tail. The burros have lush trailing tendrils. They are perfect for displaying in hanging planters. You can also put them on the shelves. They look so cute and elegant. You can even place them in a glass jar and see how beautiful they can grow.
Learn more about: The String Of Bananas Care Instructions For Beginners
Protecting Your Pets From Toxic Plants
There are thousands of varieties of succulents. The increased availability of exotic plants from all over the world makes sit very tempting to buy a lot of succulents. However, you might think twice when you have pets.
The best way to protect your cats is to identify which succulent variety you are getting. When buying online, make sure that you do your research first. Check the succulent online and research some information about it.
The ASPCA has a great list of information about poisonous plants for all types of pets.
With thousands of varieties of succulents and the increased availability of exotic plants, the best way to protect your pets is to identify exactly which plants are poisonous to cats. In any case, you must stop from bringing them into your home.
If you already have plants in your home or in the garden but you just found that they are actually poisonous to the pets, you must put them in the proper location. Take note that not only succulents are harmful to pets.
There are many other plants that are harmful as well. Protect your pets by making yourself well-informed.
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