If you’re a cat owner and a plant lover, you might be surprised to learn that one of the most popular houseplants, the Sansevieria snake plant, could be toxic to your furry friend.
In this article, we’ll explore the truth about snake plants and your cat’s health – from what parts of the plant can cause poisoning, what to do if your cat ate from your snake plant, and to how to prevent that altogether.
Keep reading to learn how to keep your pets safe and healthy in your green plant-filled home.
If you’re a dog owner, you can keep reading, the Snake plant is as toxic to dogs as they are to cats.
What Parts Of The Snake Plant Are Toxic?
Snake plants are relatively safe to keep indoors with pets but are mildly toxic if ingested. The leaves contain a toxin known as saponin. The plant uses this as a defensive mechanism to protect itself against harmful bacteria, and insects.
Unfortunately, this means that if your cat eats the leaves in large quantities, the saponin can lead to a variety of side effects (see below for what signs to look out for).
Not just the common Sansevieria trifasciata snake plant is toxic, the Sansevieria cylindrica, Sansevieria Fernwood, Hahnii, the Masoniana, and all types of Sansevieria plants should be kept out of reach of your cat.
What Are The Symptoms Of Poisoning?
If you suspect your cat has consumed any part of a snake plant, it is important to recognize the signs of snake plant poisoning. Symptoms can range from very mild to severe, depending on a few factors, such as the amount of plant your cat has consumed and their body weight.
Some of the most common minor symptoms to be aware of include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. In very rare cases, your cat may exhibit symptoms such as tremors, seizures, or difficulty breathing.
Read more: Common Snake plant problems.
Will Your Cat Recover?
How fast your cat will recover depends on how much of the plant has been ingested, the severity of the poisoning, and the speed of treatment.
Something important to keep in mind when thinking about toxic houseplants:
PET POISONINGS DUE TO PLANTS ARE VERY RARE.
More pets are getting sick from prescription and over-the-counter medications, and food like protein bars, onions, and grapes than they get sick from eating a plant. And there are more reported cases of cats having toxic reactions after eating chocolate than after munching on plants.
That being said, we want to be safe. Obviously.
Read more: Indoor Plants Safe for Cats (and Other Pets) – With Pictures!
What if Your Pet Has Eaten a Toxic Snake Plant?
If you suspect that your cat has ingested part of a snake plant or is experiencing symptoms of plant poisoning, contact a vet immediately.
The first step in treating snake plant poisoning is typically to induce vomiting to remove any remaining plant material from your cat’s system. The veterinarian may also administer activated charcoal or other medications to help absorb any remaining toxins.
In severe cases, they may require treatment such as IV fluids, oxygen therapy, and monitoring.
The good news is that most cats will fully recover from snake plant poisoning. However, prevention is always the best course of action.
How to Prevent Snake Plant Poisoning
To prevent your cat from ingesting snake plants take a few simple yet effective steps.
Firstly, ensure that your snake plant is kept out of your cat’s reach. Cats can be curious creatures. Keep the plant away from your cat’s favorite spots.
Secondly, offer other safe and appealing plants for your cat to chew on. Cats chew or eat grass to help with their digestion. When indoor cats don’t have access to fresh grass, they could decide to go for your plants. Cat grass and catnip plants are excellent choices as they are safe for cats.
Related reading: Fascinating Facts about Snake Plants.