Are snake plants safe for cats is a question that can lead a plant enthusiast to a hazardous situation when they have a cat and snake plants which are also known as mother-in-law tongue plants. It is a crucial query that, if unanswered, could have negative repercussions.
You should get knowledgeable about the signs of snake plant poisoning in cats and possible remedies in case you ever need to treat your cherished house pets if you have both cats and snake plants in your home, so read on.
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Are Snake Plants Safe for Cats to be Near?
No, snake plants are not safe for cats to be near; they are highly toxic to cats because of saponin, a mildly deadly toxin that has a defense against dangerous fungi, insects, bacteria, and other animals. The primary function of saponins is to keep pests and animals away.
– Filled With Toxins
Snake plants are toxic for cats because they release a poisonous class of saponins. Some particular plants possess a defense mechanism that helps them defend themselves from outside threats, much like the immune system of a human does.
They use saponins to protect themselves from dangerous species. While they might not be regarded as fatal to animals like cats, they undoubtedly harm their health because the plant has a bitter taste and a slight burning sensation.
What happens if a cat licks a snake plant may also be your worry, but licking plant leaves is not fatal, but you should keep your cat safe as it can bite the plant. If the cat ingests the plant, saponins irritate and inflame the stomach lining and gastrointestinal tract. Complications include discomfort, stomach pain, upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting are likely to result from this, and the plant’s sap can irritate the skin.
– Indications of Poisoning
The indication of snake plant poisoning in cats includes vomiting, nausea, depression, diarrhea, drooling, discomfort or pain in the abdominal region, reduced appetite, and swollen mouth or throat. The first thing that will happen after eating snake plant is that the plant will release its saponin toxin.
– Potential Hazards
If your cat eats it, then it will taste extremely bitter, and there may be a few indications if the cat keeps devouring any leaves, so they could result in more severe side effects, like the development of bladder stones, which could result in urethritis, obstructions, and even death. You will check the issues, and the cat will start to feel weaker and not as healthy as it used to be.
Calcium oxalate crystals that resemble needles are present in these plants. If consumed, these might cause inflammation and swelling of the lips and tongue, making it difficult to breathe and swallow.
How to Respond if Your Cat Bites a Snake Plant?
To respond, if your cat bites a snake plant, call your veterinarian immediately as you would notice severe symptoms. You must then give your cat the medication that has been prescribed, remove the plant exposure, and try to monitor your cat as much as you can.
– Medical Help
Your cat’s chances of recovering are better if brought to the clinic sooner. The veterinarian will examine your cat and decide the best course of action.
They typically induce vomiting to expel any residual plant matter in the stomach. The vet might administer activated charcoal to remove any leftover poisons. Also, they may administer fluids to rehydrate and stabilize your cat if it is dehydrated or in shock. The veterinarian may also prescribe medicine to treat symptoms and avoid further issues.
– Prescriptions
Antispasmodics are prescribed for abdominal spasms and pain, as are antiemetic drugs to stop nausea and vomiting, antihistamines to prevent allergies, and antibiotics to treat any secondary infections. You should go ahead and give your cat the prescription that the vet administered, and this should be to calm the pet and the intoxication it is going through.
– Remove Plant Exposure
To limit the exposure of sap or saponins, immediately remove the plant and any fallen pieces near your cat. To remove toxins from the liquid that may still be present in your cat’s fur or skin, give it a warm, soapy bath. Flush the mouth of your cat. This will stop any additional harmful substances from getting into the digestive system.
– Monitor Your Cat
During the next 24 hours, keep your kitty by your side and try to examine how it’s feeling as you would keep an eye on it. It’s crucial to keep an eye out to see if your pet has any breathing issues because you must also tell these symptoms to the vet afterward, and check if there are further complications. Take your cat to the clinic immediately if you think they are having trouble breathing.
How To Prevent Your Cat from the Snake Plant?
To prevent your cat away from the snake plant, change the plant’s place, raise the plant, or put pet repellent. You must also place odor repellents from cats, place grass instead of plants, distract the cat with toys, and also keep it away from other plants as well.
Some sprays or repellents can deter your cat from playing near or eating your snake plant. Other options include positioning the plant accordingly, and this way the cat will no longer get close to the plant.
– Change The Place of the Plant
You may wonder how to keep a cat away from the snake plant. Instead of removing the plant from your home, try moving it to a location just out of your cat’s reach, and you can also place different distractions around it, and it won’t be challenged to reach the plant. Given that cats can get to just about anything, keeping the plant away from your cat’s dining area, furniture, and litter box may be easier said than done.
– Raising the Snake Plant Higher
In addition to the prior advice, you might use a stand or a separate shelf to raise the plant above your cat’s reach. This seems more challenging for your cat to get to the plant, lowering the likelihood that it will exert the necessary effort. But some cats can be very persistent, so make sure there isn’t anything around that your cat can jump upon to assist it in getting to the plant, and this way, you must high up the plant on a different shelf.
– Change the Plant’s Odor to Be Unpleasant
You could also make your plant smell unpleasant to cats if it smells like something your cat detests. Don’t worry; it doesn’t necessarily follow that it will smell unpleasant to you or unpleasant in your home. Since most cats dislike the scent of citrus fruits, you might use lime, lemon, orange juice, or zest close to your plant to deter them.
– Put Pet Repellent on the Plant
You could utilize various pet repellent sprays to protect your cat from your plant. These sprays create a barrier and function by keeping your cat away from nibbling on specific objects. The majority of flavors are pretty bitter to cats but are not toxic. The sprays are available in citrus, coffee, or bitter apple scents.
– Offer Grass Instead
Give your cat a safer option if it enjoys chewing on leafy objects. Cat grass is safe for cats to nibble on. It is simple to grow and is safe to graze on. It has some healthful nutrients and fiber, making it a nutritious snack. It is a grass combination that is produced from seeds of wheat, rye, barley, or oats rather than a specific variety of plants.
– Provide the Cat With Additional Chewing Toys
Your cat may occasionally need something to chew on rather than wanting to eat your houseplants. Cats love to play; if they need more cerebral exercise, they’ll attempt almost anything to acquire it. Included in this is biting your plants. If you provide good chew toys, they might not turn to your houseplants when bored. Instead, they might look for their preferred toy.
– Keep The Cat Away from Other Toxic Plants
A list of toxic plants for your cats includes Chinese money plants, Aloe vera, Oleander, Azalea flowers, Peace lilies, Sago palm, Devil’s ivy, Chrysanthemum, and Daffodils. You may wonder: Are spider plants safe for cats? Spider plants and cats do not go together.
This raises another question: Are aloe plants toxic to cats? Yes, Aloe is highly toxic to cats. While we are talking about cats, a question about dogs might arise. Are snake plants toxic to dogs as well? Snake plants are indeed poisonous to dogs. Just like these, there are many plants that you should avoid altogether.
Conclusion
Read the points below to have a better understanding of the relationship between snake plants and cats:
- Snake plants include calcium oxalate and a hazardous group of substances known as saponins that are highly poisonous to cats.
- Certain plants don’t thrive in homes with cats, especially if the felines are inquisitive, and when they eat these plants, such as aloe vera, the pets may be severely intoxicated.
- If you detect any of the symptoms in your cat, you should consult the doctor for a checkup and further diagnosis.
- Snake plants are a common choice for home decor; they are stunning and breathe life into any space, but if you possess a cat, you might have to give up your preference for these plants to prevent chronic ailments in your feline friend.
- Try your best to keep your cats away from your snake plants, or choose a safe houseplant for cats to be around.
Make sure that you place different distractions so that your cat would stay away from the plant and meanwhile you will have a thriving plant and a healthy little cat.
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