Are prayer plants toxic to cats is the most suspenseful question for people who are both pet lovers and plant keepers. The prayer plants, known as Maranta leuconeura, are non-toxic and safe for cats.
However, sometimes they can cause fatal symptoms which require immediate medical attention. In this article, you will find highlights of the relationship between prayer shrubs and cats.
Contents
Are Prayer Plants Toxic to Cats When Eaten?
No, when eaten, prayer plants are not toxic to cats; they are safe when the amount is small. Still, when the pet consumes it in a large amount, it will show signs of discomfort such as mouth discomfort, excessive salivation, vomiting, and trouble swallowing.
Digesting a prayer plant is harmful because it comprises insoluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic to cats. If ingested, you would see your cat having oral discomfort or burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing are all signs of poisoning.
– Discomfort
More severe instances may result in tongue and airway enlargement and breathing problems. This may result in death or severe neurological and respiratory impairment in extreme circumstances. Consequently, it’s crucial to keep cats away from these plants and seek emergency medical attention if they consume any plant material.
Once the crystals come into contact with the mucous membranes, they can cause immediate irritation and inflammation. This can manifest as drooling, pawing at the mouth, and signs of oral discomfort. The cat may experience pain while swallowing, leading to difficulty in eating or drinking normally.
– Inflammation
If the crystals continue through the digestive system, they can cause irritation and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This can result in vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, the crystals may cause blockages or obstructions in the digestive system, requiring immediate medical attention.
It’s worth noting that the severity of the reaction depends on various factors, including the quantity of plant material ingested, the individual cat’s sensitivity, and their overall health. Some cats may have stronger reactions to prayer plant ingestion than others.
If a cat has ingested a prayer plant or is exhibiting signs of ingestion, it is crucial to seek veterinary care promptly. A veterinarian will be able to assess the situation, provide appropriate treatment, and help alleviate any potential complications.
– Stomach Issues
There are several ways that prayer plant poisoning can affect cats. Vomiting and gastrointestinal distress are the most prevalent symptoms. Prayer plants contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can induce stomach irritation and inflammation.
These crystals can actually penetrate the intestines in severe cases, resulting in bloody diarrhea. Drooling, trouble swallowing, and pawing at the mouth are further signs. If your cat consumes a prayer plant, look for these symptoms and contact your veterinarian right away.
What Are Some Ways to Prevent Cats From Approaching a Prayer Plant?
Some ways to prevent cats from approaching a prayer plant include placing pebbles around your plant. You can also prevent your cat from digging there by using orange peels, or natural sprays and oils. Moreover, you can also alter the plant’s position, or place cat-friendly plants.
– Use Rock
You can use rocks to prevent cats. Covering the dirt surrounding your prayer plant with pebbles will keep your cat from digging while also enabling water to pass through the rocks, making watering the plants easier. This way, your pet will stay away from plants because they will not be as interested any longer, and as such, you will see the pet staying away.
– Use Orange Peels
Orange peels placed in a ring around your plant can deter your cat because cats detest the scent of citrus and the smell that comes from the peels. In addition to this, you can also go ahead and think about popular cats that are sesame and mint. A layer of double-stick tape applied around the lip of each plant’s container can help deter cats from pawing at the plants because cats detest sticky things, and this way, they won’t approach any closer.
– Use Tape
Since cats care for every area of the body, the sticky tape would make your cat avoid any contact. They dislike becoming dirty and prefer to avoid any sticky substance that is difficult to clean away. In this instance, your cat will undoubtedly avoid the adhesive tape you place around the pot and keep its paws away from the prayer plant pot, because they will be annoyed from this feeling, as their paws are sensitive.
– Use Natural Sprays and Oils
To protect plants from cats and pests, apply neem oil. Create a distinct plant area by putting your plant in a room where cats cannot enter. If all else fails, you may always surround your plant with chicken wire to create barriers or use plants in terrariums that your cat can’t access.
– Alter the Position of Your Plant
Sprays, citrus, and peppermint oil can all be used to keep cats away from the plant. Be sure no cats may access your plants by placing them in hanging pots as they are placed on a higher setting. Set aside time to amuse them and provide them with toys. A great way to stop this behavior in your cat is to give it a variety of toys to keep it occupied.
One of the most effective ways to keep cats away from your plants is to simply place them in places where the cats cannot physically reach them. A fantastic solution is to hang your plants. Just ensure your cats have no nearby access points to the hanging plant. Hanging plants are also an excellent technique to keep poisonous plants away from your pets.
– Place Some Friendly House Plants
You can often divert a leaf-chewing cat’s attention away from your houseplants by supplying them with their own plants, so they come to house plants toxic to cats. A pot of catnip is probably too popular, but you can maintain a pot of mint, cat grass, a mixture of oat or barley grass, or thyme.
These are popular with cats and are absolutely safe to chew on occasion, so use a couple of the other strategies for your “real” plants, and your decoy should become the focus of your cat’s attention.
Some good houseplants and non-toxic plants for your cats are Ponytail Palm, Aluminum Plant/Watermelon Plant, Sedum Morganianum, Christmas Cactus, and Swedish Ivy. While buying house plants, use caution because some species, like cycads, cheese plants, money tree, and aloe Vera, are unsuitable for cats; you can also use some African Violets, Parlor Palm, Boston Fern.
On this notion, if you are wondering, are prayer plants toxic to dogs, you may also consider that no, they aren’t, but if the pet eats it so much, they contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can lead to oral irritation, pain, and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat. In extreme cases, they can also cause difficulty breathing or swallowing. Instead, you can place some Spider Plants, Zebra Plant, or Peperomia Obtusifolia.
If you think about are prayer plants poisonous to humans, you must know that no, they aren’t, as these plants do not poison humans. However, these plants are still not edible and should not be ingested as they may produce toxicity and specific allergic reactions causing serious illness. They should not be kept near children; even if you are wondering, are prayer plants toxic to babies, you must know that they aren’t, but it is better to reduce any risk of them having allergic reactions.
Conclusion
Now that you know every detail about this plant, you should go through the points outlined below to understand better keeping a prayer plant:
- The prayer plant is a perfect houseplant because it is non-toxic to animals with fur, including cats, if you doubt are calathea plants toxic to cats.
- You can know that your cat has ingested a prayer plant by observing some unusual symptoms, including oral irritation or burning, frequent drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
- While being non-toxic to cats, if your cat eats a substantial amount of it, it could result in a minor gastrointestinal upset.
- You might need to limit access to this plant because some cats find it alluring.
- Prayer plants are all simple to maintain and can remove dangerous pollutants and gasses from the air that might interfere with your ability to sleep so keep them if you have kids.
Everyone should have a prayer plant in their bedroom, but remember that they are safe to be around your cat, as long as they do not eat it in an excessive amount.
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