If your pet considers Christmas cactus to be a treat for the teeth instead of the eyes and chows down accordingly, you don’t need to panic. The ASPCA lists Christmas cacti as non-toxic for both dogs and cats―neither the cactus nor the flowers are poisonous to pets.
How To Keep Cats Safe During the Holiday Season
Use less toxic plants to decorate your home with during the holidays to keep your cat safe and prevent them from experiencing unnecessary stress. Examples of these plants are orchids and Christmas cactuses.
Even better, give your cat some attractive foliage, like catnip or cat grass. Recall that the amount your cat consumes determines the toxicity level if they are a big eater. If consumed in excess, even non-toxic plants can upset the stomach.
Take out any real plants from inside your home if your cat isn’t going to stop eating them. Consult your veterinarian about whether your cat’s habit of grazing on plants is excessive. Make sure your cat cannot reach any potentially toxic plants you decide to bring inside your house. Make sure your cat is not eating the plants by keeping a careful watch on them.
Think about using wall or hanging planters and positioning potted plants high on shelves that are difficult to reach. Watch your cat closely around your Christmas tree. If your cat appears to be eating or mouthing the ribbon or tinsel, do not use it. If you like lilies, stick to less dangerous varieties.
You can enjoy the holidays and keep your cat safe with a little extra care and prevention.
Gwaltney-Brant S. DVM 360. Toxicology of plants (Proceedings). August 2009.
Pet Poison Helpline. Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets.
Featured : iStock.com/skhoward
Gwaltney-Brant S. DVM 360. Toxicology of plants (Proceedings). August 2009.
Pet Poison Helpline. Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets.
Featured : iStock.com/skhoward
Dr. The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine awarded Melissa Boldan her degree in 2012. She initially practiced mixed animal.
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According to the ASPCA website, the Christmas Cactus plant is one of the few plants that are not toxic to cats. Before you bring any plant into the house, take a quick look at their website to see if the plant is toxic to your cat (because most plants are): https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants. If you really want to keep the plant, you can try spraying the plant with diluted Cheyenne pepper or hanging the plant somewhere your cat cant jump (although they will almost always find a way).
A few “rights” are forfeited when you decide to bring a cat into your house, including the freedom to use the restroom alone, the ability to decorate your Christmas tree or put ribbon on your gifts, the ability to wear clothes free of cat hair, and, yes the right to have plants inside your house.
You will undoubtedly agree that the friendship and love you receive in return are well worth the few things you have to give up!
Its innate. Cats chew plants. Its really much easier to get rid of the plant. “Getting on to” your cat and observing how much of a bite your cat can “get away with” before you notice will no longer occur. I believe that everyone will find their home to be more tranquil without plants.
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