Snake plants are popular houseplants because they’re hardy plants with easy care needs. However, snake plants are toxic to cats, and dogs, for that matter. The type of toxin they contain is saponin. Saponin is a defensive mechanism that many plants use to protect themselves against insects, microbes, and fungi.
If you already have a snake plant, not all hope is lost. There are some things you can try to prevent your cats from ingesting it. There are also many other beautiful cat-friendly houseplants that you can purchase to decorate your home. We’ve laid out everything you need to know about snake plants and several other common plants that are toxic to cats. We’ve also provided a list of cat-friendly houseplants so that you have some options to inspire your interior design creativity.
What Happens If My Cat Ingests a Snake Plant?
When a snake plant’s leaf breaks, it releases saponins. Cats that take a bite out of the plant will first experience the toxin’s bitter taste.
Then, if cats ingest the plant, they can experience several signs:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Depression
Drooling
Loss of appetite
Cats with chronic illnesses or conditions are at risk of experiencing more severe signs.
Because of the strong bitter taste, cats will most likely only ingest a little bit of a snake plant leaf or may even spit it out. Fortunately, consuming a small portion of saponin isn’t fatal to cats.
Image Credit: Pixabay
The 5 Tips for Stopping Cats From Eating Snake Plants
You can try some methods to discourage your cats from playing near a snake plant or taking a bite out of it but keep in mind that no method is guaranteed to prevent your cat from ingesting a toxic plant. Therefore, it’s best to remove these types of plants from your home if your cat constantly tries to bite or eat them.
1. Relocate the Plant
You can try to keep the plant in a location that’s far away from your cat’s eating area, furniture, and litter boxes.
One of the safest places for the plant is a room that has a door that you can close so that you don’t have to worry about your cats when you can’t keep an eye on them. Fortunately, snake plants don’t require too much sunlight, so they can do well in rooms with less natural light.
2. Put the Plant in a Hard-to-Reach Place
You can also try to place the plant on a plant stand or hang it so that your cat has a more difficult or impossible time reaching it. There are many different kinds of plant stand designs, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one that fits in with the rest of your furniture. Hanging the plant is another great option.
Image Credit: TippyTortue, Shutterstock
3. Make the Plant Smell Bad
You can try to repel your cat from the snake plant by surrounding it with smells that are generally unpleasant to cats. Most cats dislike citrus scents, so you use the juice or zest of lemons, limes, or oranges to discourage them from approaching the plant.
Cats also don’t like cinnamon or cayenne pepper, so you can try sprinkling either of these spices in the dirt.
4. Spray Plant Leaves With Pet Spray
There are several plant sprays in the market that work to discourage pets from chewing on certain items. Most flavors are bitter apple or citrus. Just keep in mind that cats have different preferences, so they might not mind some sprays while they don’t like other ones. Therefore, it might take a couple of tries before you find a spray that effectively repels your cat.
You’ll also have to find a spray that’s safe for your plant’s leaves. Start by spraying one area of the plant to see if it harms the plant. Once you find a spray that works, spray the plant’s leaves with the manufacturer’s recommended frequency.
You can also use a solution of one part vinegar and three parts water to spray onto the leaves.
Image Credit: Squirrel_Photos, Pixabay
5. Cat Grass
If your cat just enjoys chewing on leafy things, you can try redirecting it to cat grass. Cat grass is relatively easy to grow and maintain. It also contains nutrients and fiber, so it can be a healthy snack for your cats.
The 5 Common Houseplants That Are Toxic to Cats
Houseplants add a warm and lively touch to living spaces. However, many common varieties are actually toxic to cats. Here are several popular houseplants that cat owners should avoid. Just keep in mind that this is a non-exhaustive list, so make sure to research if a plant is non-toxic before you bring it home.
1. Aloe Vera
Humans may experience several health benefits from the aloe vera plant. However, the latex layer of this plant is toxic to cats. It contains saponins and anthraquinones.
Cats that ingest this plant can experience the following signs:
Vomiting
Lethargy
Diarrhea
Image Credit: Carla Burke, Pixabay
2. Jade
These plants go by several different names:
Dwarf rubber plants
Money plants
Lucky plants
All jade plants are toxic to cats. Its toxic principles are currently unknown, but if you suspect that a cat has eaten a jade plant leaf.
Cats that ingest this plant can experience the following signs:
Vomiting
Depression
Incoordination
Image Credit: Pixabay
3. Swiss Cheese Plant
The monstera deliciosa is a type of philodendron with many interchangeable names used by different retailers:
Hurricane plant
Swiss cheese plant
Ceriman
Mexican breadfruit
Split-leaf philodendron
Window leaf plant
This plant contains insoluble calcium oxalates. Cats that ingest this plant can experience the following signss:
Oral irritation
Intense burning on mouth, tongue, and lips (cat will be rubbing the area)
Drooling
Vomiting
Difficulty swallowing
Image credit: Jumpstory
4. Peace Lilies
Peace lilies also contain insoluble calcium oxalates. Therefore, cats will show similar signs as cats that ingest monstera deliciosa:
Oral irritation
Intense burning on mouth, tongue, and lips (cat will be rubbing the area)
Although there are several popular houseplants that are toxic for cats, there are many safe and non-toxic ones that you can find easily.
1. Blunt Leaf Peperomia
This is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention and care. Its other name is “baby rubber plant”. With a little love and care, they’ll seasonally produce pretty, white flowers.
2. Birds Nest Fern
Birds nest ferns are squiggly plants that add a fun touch to any room. They’re fairly low-maintenance and can even do well in bathrooms because they love humid conditions and can live in low-light environments.
3. Money Tree
Money trees come in various sizes, and they’re apparently bringers of good luck to the home. These trees often come in cool braided designs, so they’re often used as statement pieces for a room.
Image credit: NeginMinaee, Shutterstock
4. Parlor Palm
Parlor palms are hardy plants, and they thrive in rooms with direct sunlight. Once they take to a room, they grow continuously and can grow past 6 feet.
5. Chinese Money Plant
These fun plants go by several names:
UFO plant
Pancake plant
Missionary plant
Other than preferring direct sunlight, this plant has fairly minimal care needs. Along with its unique appearance, many people see this plant as a lucky charm that brings good fortune to its owner.
Some plants just don’t do well with homes with cats, especially if the cats have particularly inquisitive personalities. If you already have a houseplant that’s toxic to cats, you can try several methods to avoid incidents of cats accidentally ingesting them. If you ever suspect that your cat has ingested a toxic plant, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian and send them a picture of the plant. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
The best and safest way to keep plants in your home is to purchase ones that aren’t toxic to cats. Fortunately, there are so many fun and interesting houseplants that are also safe for cats.
So, don’t be afraid to stretch your creativity. You’ll have a happy and harmonious home filled with beautiful plants and cats in no time at all.
Oliver (Ollie) Jones - A zoologist and freelance writer living in South Australia with his partner Alex, their dog Pepper, and their cat Steve (who declined to be pictured). Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types.
