Are Orchids Poisonous To Cats? Toxic & Nontoxic Plant List

When it’s come to our pets, their safety and health are essential because whether it’s a dog or cats or any other animals, It’s like a family to us and our family health is very important to us.The question arises in every cat lover’s mind: Are orchids poisonous to cat or not?

The answer for this is no because, according to ASPCA(The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ), “Orchids are Non-toxic flowers for cats.”

People are afraid for their pet health because as the Spring bloom. Many people love to decorate their home with freshly bloom flowers.Because flower enhances the beauty of their home and makes their home smell best, but what about their pets.

Flowers are not the one that causes damage to your cat or dog. Pesticides and fertilizers will severe health damage to our lovely friends, especially if they are chemical-based. The chemicals and the soil you are using can cause health issues.

However, after eating the flower, cats can face stomach upset, vomiting, or related problems. That does not mean that they can die from flowers veterinarians can cure them.

Tips to keep your Cats safe from orchids:

Keep your plants out of reach:

You can keep your cats away from plants by keeping them in a place where they don’t like to hang out or keep your orchid surrounded by other plants, so it takes little effort for them to reach it.

Deter your cats from reaching your plants:

You can do this by putting the fork in soil that prevents cats to digs plants, and you can also use automatic sensor spray that sprays water when cats come close to plants.

Reduce your reliance on chemicals:

Make less use of the chemical on plants that are dangerous for cats, but if you still want to use them. Try to keep them away from cats as long as possible

when you are done with treatment, wash away all the residues lingering on the leaves because if your pet eats it. They don’t have serious problems.

Make a spray mixed with vinegar and water:

Use this spray on the plant because cats do not like the smell of vinegar.

Hang your plants where cats cannot reach:

Hang the plant on walls and places where cat cannot reach so they would be safer from getting ill.

Why do cats eat flowers?

Not all cats love to eat flowers, each cat has its personality. Some are cool; they are not interested in plants whatsoever, but some are more curious. They wanted to feel like they were in the jungle. That’s why they like to hang around the plants because some plants have a grassy texture.

Which orchid types are poisonous to cats:

Now the question arises in people minds that does all orchids are non-toxic to cat let do through all one by one:

Are Dendrobium orchids poisonous to Cats:

According to ASPCA, Dendrobium orchids are non-toxic to cats. They have placed Dendrobium orchids on the non-poisonous list, but they also said that people should keep them away from cats because if cats eat them, cats feel discomfort.

Are purple orchids poisonous to cats:

Blue orchids is artificially dyed with a pigment in a flower spike. That’s why don’t let your cats eat flower spikes of blue orchids because almost all orchids are edible but not blue orchids. Some people ask that “are cats allergic to orchids.”

The answer is Yes, cats will have an allergic reaction they don’t get died, but they have a bad reaction like throat or eye swelling.

Are Phalaenopsis orchids poisonous to cats:

Phalaenopsis orchids are non-toxic to cats. In other words, you can say that your cats and Phalaenopsis orchids can exist with each other. These orchids are easy to maintain and non-toxic to cats and enhance the beauty of your home.

Are oncidium orchids poisonous to Cats:

This orchid is also non-toxic to cats. Oncidium orchids are a very diverse group of orchids that are easy to maintain. They are also the second most popular orchid type in the market.

Are orchids poisonous to cats and dogs:

We have talked about the cat, but some people are also dogs lover with a question:” are orchids poisonous to dogs? “Answer is same as a cat they are non-toxic except the blue orchids. People also ask that orchids are toxic to dogs answer is again no, they are non-toxic for humans as well.

Are sunflowers toxic to cats:

Sunflowers are also non-toxic to cats, but some veterinarians say they can cause stomach upset vomiting, but they are not deadly for cats and dogs.

Plants that are poisonous for cats:

1.Pothos plant poisonous for cats

It has a couple of different types, like Epipremnum and the Scindapsus that is poisonous to cats. You should keep them away from cats.

2.Easter Lilies poisonous for cats

Many lilies are very toxic to cats. But Easter lilies are most dangerous. All part of this plant is toxic to cats, and cat can have acute kidney failure if cat eats pollen leaves and petals of a lily plant.

3.Snake Plants

Snake plants like san severe are also toxic to cats. They still have tough leaves, but if cats still find them interesting, they can cause serious health issues in a cat.

4.Chinese evergreen

Chinese evergreen plant look very pleasant with his beautiful which has calcium oxalate inside them that can hurt the cat’s stomach. It is considered best big leaf indoor plants. They probably do vomiting or diarrhea.

5.Dum canes.

These are pretty bad in terms of toxicity, and they will kind of that your cat’s throat start closing or have abdominal issues. That’s why they are also poisonous to cats.

6.Ficus and rubber tree

Ficus like fiddly figs and the rubber trees have a sap that will really irritate your cat digestive system, and because they are really popular plants so keep them away from your lovely friend.

7.Alocasia/Colocasia

Alocasia is definitely are toxic to cats. So you have to be careful. At least the vegetation is slightly taller, and it’s not as tempting for cats felines, but you should be cautious when you introduce Alocasia or Calocasia into your home.

8.Oleander

They are not only beautiful flowering shrubs but also deadly. They can cause breathing difficulty, incoordination, drooling, nausea, and all kinds of things. It is usually planted outdoor, but they are highly toxic to cats and all other animals, even to humans.

9.Monstera

Pretty much all the monsters are toxic to cats. Monstera leaves development is gorgeous, but your cat will definitely get sick from them. It has calcium oxalate in it, which can be harmful to cats.

10.The string of pearls

A string of pearls is from the Senecio family. They look so attractive to cats pretty much look like a cat’s toy, but they are toxic to cats. You should keep your cats away from them.

11.Rhododendron

They are toxic to cats. They mostly outside they’re kind of shrubby plant. All rhododendron plants contain granotoxins that can disrupt the sodium channels affecting the heart. Your cats will have vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, coma, and even death. That’s why to keep them inaccessible to your cats.

12.Chrysanthemums

There are many different species of chrysanthemums, but some of them contain pyrethrins. Interestingly pyrethrins are used in flea treatments for cats. They have the ability to affect an insect’s nervous system, and they make them effective insecticides that are used to kill fleas . While Pyrethrins are  safe for cats. They are mildly toxic, but their synthetic equivalent pyrethroid is not safe for cats. That’s the main reason that you should not let your cats eat chrysanthemums.

13.Aloe Vera

The gel inside the aloe vera leaf is used in different cat-specific products like shampoos cleaning wipes, and the thing inside the leave it said latex or sap that is not safe for cats. This material contains saponins which can cause diarrhea and stomach cramping. So if you are growing aloe vera plants in your home, there could be a chance that your cat could take a bite and get exposed to a white layer inside of the leaf and get sick.

14.Mother-in-law plant

There are over 125 different species in this genus, and not all of them are generally toxic to cats. But ideally they are considered harmful to cats to be on the safe side. The reason to void this plant is that it contains cardiac glycosides, which in short affect the heart and can cause heart problems if ingested.

Remember that each animal will have a different reaction which depends on how much they have eaten, or some are allergic to specific plants. That’s why you should keep an eye on your cats, what your cats have eaten, what is your cat’s nature, and its medical history.

Non-Poisonous plants for cats

As we have discussed toxic plants, now question that arises in every person mind is “what flowers are safe for cats” Let discuss them one by one:

1.Gerbera Daisy

They are so pretty but need too much sunlight and water to live long. They are also non-toxic to cats.

2.African violet

African violet is super pretty, and some of the easiest plants to grow indoors are also pet-friendly.

3.Polka dot plant not poisonous to cats

They come in many colors pink, white, purple, green. They are beautiful but at the same time hard to keep alive, and there is no problem if you have a cat because they are pet friendly also.

4.Palms

Palms are of different types, and they need good light and water to grow. They are also giant toys for cats, but they are safe. There are bamboo palms that are so hardy it does not need so much light. While parlor Palm is usually smaller,pet friendly and need decent light. While Kentia palm needs lower lights and is expensive.

5.Boston fern

They are non-toxic but super tempting for cats because I want to knock all those little tails off to keep them away from cats. But they are still non-toxic.

6.Roses not poisonous to cats:

As long as it’s a real rose, not some other plant that happens to be called a rose-like desert roses primroses and Christmas roses. True roses are the ones that are safe for cats.You have to make sure that your bouquet doesn’t contain anything else that might be harmful to your cat.

7.Haworthia:

Also known as the zebra plant its characterized by these pointed leaves with a kind of wart-like white protrusions on them, and haworthia is ideally safer for cats.

8.Cat grass:

It’s not a particular type of grass. Instead, it’s a term that we use to refer a variety of grasses that tend to be appealing, safe and kind of nutritious for cats. So types of grass that you’re often going to see in a cat grass kit or cat grass seed mix are oat grass, barley grass, flax grass, and wheatgrass. All of them are tend to grow these kinds of soft moisture-rich blades that really tend to appeal the cats. A few nice things about growing cat grass are that if you have other plants in your house, then planting the cat grass will deter your cats from other plants. Cat grass also provides simulation in the indoor environment and is easy to grow.

All of the many plants are safer and non-toxic to cats. You can refer to many more from the ASPCA website and make sure that those plants work in our pets zone in your house.

Why do cats eat grass:

Eating grass is a really common thing in cats. With over 70% of cats being reported as eating grass on a fairly regular basis, so the chances are that your cat is one of them.

Over the years, there have been several theories on why cats eat grass from nutritional deficiencies. Especially folic acid found in grass juice, which is essential for growth and intestinal digestion by eliminating hairballs and for cats feeling unwell to make them vomit and even eating grass for stress relief.

In a recent study to look at why cats eat grass actually in 91% of the case, the owner says that their cat didn’t appear to be unwell before they ate grass and then didn’t vomit either,

so that refutes the theory about cats eating grass to make themselves vomit.

So it is proposed that regular plant-eating by domestic carnivores is a reflection of innate behavior from a wild ancestor who regularly ate grass.

It is shown in large cats by examining their feces which has shown a lot of digested indigestible plant material in their scats.

It is thought that this innate behavior was to drive the elimination of parasites from the gut by eating plants, especially undigested plants that cause the courage of the intestines to contract more, work harder and eliminate parasites.

Now, as for helping to get rid of hairballs, well it’s certainly possible. This means that eating plants is going to increase the workload of the intestine and help to eliminate anything else within the intestine.

How to tell if your cat is sick:

Less than 50% of cats get to see a vet in a given year . Because cats owner just look at their cats and thinks that cat is doing fine, which is not a reasonable thing to do. The earlier you find a disease, the cheaper the treatment is and the better quality of life your cat will live.

Following are a sign that shows that your cat might be ill:

• Inappropriate elimination

If your cat always uses the litter box, which you mostly can do. All of sudden peeing and pooping on the floor means that there is something wrong with your cat.

• Hiding

Cats hide when they’re ill. Outdoor cats will just crawl under a porch and try to die. Indoor cats hang out under the couch or in a closet where they do not usually hang out, showing the sign that you are ill.

• Increased aggression:

If cats get snappy and untouchable, that does not show  they are probably in chronic pain.

• Stop eating:

If your cats just stop eating or eating less often means that cat might be ill.

• Vomiting:

Vomiting is very common to sign off many old cat diseases. If your cat is vomiting, again and again it means that the cat needs to see a vet.

Conclusion:

So we concluded that orchids are not poisonous to cats. They are pet-friendly and are not deadly for cats, but if your cats overeat orchids. Cat might fall ill or have vomiting and diarrhea. They can get fine after treatment.

As mentioned above, there are many ways to protect your cats from getting ill, like vinegar and water spray or hanging plants higher where they cannot reach or other methods.

Although it also depends on cat nature. Some cats are not interested in plants while some are interested, so it also depends on your cat nature.