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Are Spider Plants Safe For Cats

A lot of people like spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) because they are simple to take care of and spread. But do cats and other dogs get sick from spider plants? Thank goodness, the ASPCA says that spider plants are safe for both cats and dogs. You don’t have to worry about your cat getting really sick or having to go to the vet right away if you keep this plant. Ingesting too much, on the other hand, could make your pet sick. To find out more about spider plants and how to keep your cat away from the hanging plant, keep reading.

Are Spider Plants Safe For Cats

What Happens When a Cat Eats a Spider Plant?

It’s important to remember, though, that just because cats can eat spider plants doesn’t mean you should let them. Large amounts of plants are not healthy for cats to eat. Cats can get sick or throw up if they eat a lot of spider plants, just like they can with any other plant. Because of this, you should keep your cat away from your spider plant. This is especially important if your cat likes to eat the leaves or roots of your trees.

Why do cats like spider plants?

Cats aren’t supposed to eat a lot of plants, but you can often find them nibbling on grass or other plants. If you keep your cat inside and don’t let him play on the grass outside, he might think that the spider plant is a good option.

The form of the spider plant is definitely very appealing to cats, and it’s not just because it’s green. The plant’s stems and leaves are spiked and flowy, and the new growth looks a lot like a cat toy that is hanging down. If your plant makes these new shoots, it’s no surprise that your cat wants to play with it and even eat it.

How to Prevent Your Cat From Eating Your Spider Plant

What can you do to keep your cat from biting a houseplant with long, spiked leaves and hanging stems that look interesting? You can try these things to keep your spider plant and other plants safe.

If you want to keep your spider plant safe, put it in a hanging box that hangs from the ceiling. The plant can then be put up high enough that your cat can’t get to it. The plant will do best if it is kept away from nearby furniture like an armchair or shelf. Because cats love to climb, any close furniture could make it easier for your cat to get to the spider plant stems that are hanging down.

Also, you can make a spider plant less appealing to your cat by giving it other dangling things. As an example, you could give your cat a play structure with things hanging from it that it can bat.

Other Houseplants That Are Safe for Cats

If you have a cat, you can keep the following types of houseplants:

  • African violets (Saintpaulia)
  • Boston ferns (Nephrolepis)
  • Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
  • Venus fly trap (Dionaea muscipula)
  • Haworthia (Haworthia spp.)
  • Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
  • Orchids (Orchidaceae)
  • Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

Plants That Are Toxic to Cats

If you have a cat, you should never have any of the following pets or cut flowers:

  • Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
  • Alocasia “Elephant’s Ear” (Alocasia spp.)
  • Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
  • Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
  • Sago palms (Cycas revoluta)
  • English ivy (Hedera helix)
  • Tulips (Tulipa spp.)
  • Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)
  • Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

Can cats get sick from spider plants?

Cats can eat spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum), but they won’t get sick. Plant parents like spider plants because they are easy to grow, can do well in almost any setting, and are good for beginners. These weak plants look great in pots or hung from the ceiling. Cats may be drawn to the long leaves, though. Even though spider plants aren’t thought to be poisonous, cats can get a slight stomachache if they eat too much of them.

What should I do if a spider plant was eaten by my cat?

If you find tiny tooth marks in your spider plant or catch your cat doing it, keep a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t get sick. If your cat throws up a few leaves and then seems fine, you probably don’t need to take it to the vet. But you should take your cat to the vet right away if it is throwing up all the time or has diarrhea that won’t stop.

Diagnosing plant ingestion in cats

Being there when the cat eats a spider plant is the best way to be sure. Thin green leaves from the plant that are broken off and found in cat vomit may also be a strong sign. Be sure to let your vet know if your cat has vague GI symptoms and can get to flowers.

Symptoms of plant ingestion in cats

Spider plants are not poisonous, but that doesn’t mean that if a cat eats them, they won’t get sick. Some people think that spider plants can make cats slightly hallucinogenic, but there is no study to support this claim. There are cats that can eat a tiny bit of spider plant and be fine, but there are other cats that will get sick.

Symptoms of spider plant ingestion include:

  • Drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite

Treatment for plant ingestion in cats

When cats eat a lot of spider plant, they may get stomach problems that need to be treated with medicine. For a single episode of sickness, you probably don’t need to see a doctor.

Cats that throw up a lot may become exhausted and need fluid therapy, medicine to make them feel better, and/or treatment for diarrhea. If a cat eats a spider plant in large amounts, the leaves could get stuck in their guts and need to be surgically removed.

Are all parts of spider plants poisonous to cats?

There is no part of the spider plant that is thought to be harmful to cats, but if they eat it, it can be bad for their stomach. If you use fertilizer on a spider plant, the plant, its dirt, or any water that stays still can be harmful to cats.

The bottom line

Even though cats can’t get sick from spider plants, if they eat too much of them, they might get really sick. If your cat bites on a spider plant once in a while, it probably won’t get sick, but you shouldn’t let it happen.