Keeping Cats Safe: A Guide to Houseplants

I love a good houseplant! Not only do they bring life to an empty space but they can be beneficial to our health. According to research houseplants can reduce stress and improve productivity. However, some houseplants can also be very dangerous for cats and even fatal.   As a responsible cat owner, here’s my top plants to avoid and the best cat safe houseplants.

My cats are my babies (along with my human big babies) and as such, I do everything possible to keep them safe.  They are indoor cats so are safe from the perils in the big wide world but there are numerous risks inside our house. From toilet lids being left up (the joys of being a mum to boys!) to the choice of cleaning products (I prefer to avoid chemicals and opt for a more eco-friendly, pet safe approach but I’ll save that for another time.) Certain houseplants can be a risk to cats, especially if they’re anything like Lola. Lola is my inquisitive 12-year-old Bengal who loves to nibble on a petal or leaf! However, a little nibble of the wrong plant and I would have a vet trip on my hands.

Houseplants to Avoid

Lilies

These beautiful flowers are one of my favourite. I love the scent of these gorgeous flowers but these are banned from inside my house.  Now if your thinking ‘my cat has always been fine with lilies’ or ‘my cats never tried to eat my lilies in the past’ then great but it’s not just the petals they could eat!  The pollen from the lily could easily be transferred to their fur as they gently brush past a vase of lilies.  All it takes is a little clean, a lick of their fur and they’ve ingested the toxic plant. Unfortunately, there have been a number of recorded cat deaths due to lilies, it can cause kidney problems.  I know I’m not going to take any chances. I prefer to keep my lilies outside in tall planters. As my cats are house cats and don’t go out it means I get to enjoy and keep my cats safe.

Daffodils

The symbol of spring.  These bright little bunches will soon be all over the shops and although they may not be fatal to a cat they can cause vomiting.  With most spring plants the bulbs are the most toxic part of the plant. Although they are likely to be too big for a cat to swallow, to a horse or a dog they can be serious.  The tulip and hyacinth bulbs are also toxic to cats, dogs and horses if ingested.

Aloe Vera  

It might just be me but I feel my Instagram feed has a highly styled aloe vera plant in almost every square!  This prized succulent offers a range of health benefits to humans but to cats its a different story! A fake aloe vera plant will look just as stylish as the real thing plus it won’t harm your precious cat if they accidently decided to have a nibble.

Cyclamen  

I love these bright little flowers especially on dull winters days, they always cheer me up but I prefer to keep them outside away from my cats.  If eaten, this plant could cause vomiting and diarrhea to cats and dogs so best keep it out of reach to keep cats safe.

Caladium or Elephants Ear

This gorgeous plant isn’t fatal but in small quantities it can cause irritations. A small nibble of this houseplant could lead to a swollen mouth. For me, it’s easier to remove the temptation with my plant-eating cats!

Cat Safe Houseplants

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Not only do these look great but they’re safe for cats too.  I have quite a collection in our home and none of mine have ever bothered. If they did suddenly decide to try it out I know that it would be perfectly harmless for them, (unless they obvoiously ate the whole plant)!

Aspidistra

A perfect ornamental plant that isn’t harmful to our furbabies plus the real bonus of this plant for me is that it’s virtually indestructible!  It can cope with droughts, drafts, shade making it ideal for any room in the house.

Bamboo

Not only will this attract good feng shui energy in your house but it’s perfectly safe for our cats.  *WARNING* – not to be confused with the toxic Dracaena plant (also known as lucky bamboo).

Cat Grass

If you do have a curious cat then this will be a treat for them, perfectly safe and it aids digestion. Cat grass is like catnip some love it some don’t bother, mine go wild and could eat through a pot of grass every few days if I could grow it quick enough!

Most of the time houseplants and cats can get along just fine.  If you choose to have toxic plants in your house, keep a close eye on your cat. Seek medical attention immidiately if your cat starts to show signs of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite or drooling.   I know my own cats and which plants I can have safely in the house without worrying about them but occasionally I do receive the odd bunch of flowers which I check first before putting them in a vase.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with houseplants, feel free to let me know in the comments if you have any and how your cats are with them.

If you want to know more about keeping your cats safe then check out my other posts:

Is your de-icer safe for cats?