Succulents are preferable choices for the garden all over the world, as they easy-to-care plants and do not require a lot of attention. But, as some succulents are poisonous to cats and other pets also, people get confused whether to have them in their garden or not.
Succulents are plants with thick fleshy leaves originating from the desert region and they adapt swiftly to any environmental conditions or surroundings. These versatile plants can flourish indoors as well as outdoors. It makes them the favorite of every gardener, irrespective of their experience. While the succulents are plants and have low maintenance for humans, they might not be a good option for your small furry friends.
The necessity to identify the succulents poisonous to cats
Some succulents can cause severe damage to your cats, and so you must keep these plants away from their reach. However, most of them are not harmful but, as some succulents that are poisonous to cats have also made their way into gardens, it is necessary to be careful. Always study the succulents and understand whether it is suitable for everyone in your house before you place them.
When you have pet cats, the most common worry is, I should not choose succulents that are poisonous to cats. Chewing and digging your plants might be a lot of fun for your cat but ensure that they do not do so. So, when you have these succulents in your garden keep them away from your cats reach so that it does not cause harm.
Some succulents also comprise skin irritants that can cause infections in your pet. And some show mild symptoms of ingestion. However, a few succulents can cause death if your cat has eaten them quite enough.
Some succulents poisonous to cats are:
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is not only toxic for cats but also dogs and horses. It is one of the largest and most popular genera of the succulent family, making it one of the leading succulents poisonous to cats. They also have large tree-like types that can grow up to 10 meters in height. It has thick, fleshy, green leaves that have a tiny spike on its edges. Some of them also have white marks on the surfaces.
Although aloe vera is famous for its several medicinal and valuable possessions to humans, it can be poisonous to cats. The succulent has a chemical in it known as Saponin. It is the primary toxin that causes health issues for your pet.
Euphorbia Milii or Crown of Thorns
The succulent is a native to Madagascar. These are indoor succulents that can grow in low-light environments as well. They are blooming succulents known for the pink and red flowers that they produce. These succulents have a covering on half-inch horns all over them.
The name Crown of Thorns comes from its appearance and the biblical crown of Jesus Christ. They highly prickly and bitter plants and, so, accidental poisonings are occasional. The milky sap is also known as latex, has the highest amount of toxicity. However, any part of this plant can irritate easily. These succulents are poisonous to cats, as they are poisonous to eat and irritate the skin.
You must take extra care of your cats if you want to plant this succulent in your garden. The sap is highly toxic and very bad for your cat. Some common symptoms of it are vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and ingestion; it can also cause skin irritation and dermatitis from contact.
Euphorbia Tiruacalli or Pencil Cactus
These succulents are poisonous to cats; however, it is one of the largest genera of succulents comprising 2000 species. Most of them are native to Madagascar and Africa. This succulent has tiny and thin leaves with tubular branches.
They come in green or orange-red colors and brighten their hue in the winter season. The primary toxic part of this succulent is the sap.
The plant can cause mild irritation to the mouth and stomach region of your cat. Also, it may cause nausea in some cases. Symptoms of this plant are not severe but mild.
Kalanchoes– A family of succulents poisonous to cats
These succulents are popular houseplants as they are beautiful and easy-to-care plants. The genus comprises hundreds of attractive flowering plants. They give beautiful flowers that make it a popular ornamental plant.
However, these succulents are poisonous to cats as well as dogs. The plants have bufadienolides cardiac glycosides, which can cause irregular heartbeats and weakness. It affects the heart rate of your pet.
Some of the popular types of Kalanchoes that are toxic to cats are:
Kalanchoe Tomentosa
This succulent is toxic to both cats and dogs. It is also known as the Panda plant and they shrub with wooly leaves that have a gray-green hue. Also, they have white hair and brown spots on the margins. Their attractiveness and convenience in care make them a popular houseplant. All of the parts of these succulents are poisonous to cats on ingestion.
Some common problems are diarrhea, vomiting, and laziness. The plant can also be fatal if there is extra ingestion.
Kalanchoe Daigremontiana
These succulents are poisonous to cats, cows, dogs, and also birds. It is a native plant to Madagascar and also called Bryophyllum Daigremontianum. The succulent is attractive and a different-looking plant with huge green leaves. The baby plantlets of this plant are rapid growers and can be tough to get rid of as they grow anywhere.
These succulents are also a nuisance to certain areas. These plants are tough and can survive even in intense heat once they are mature. The plant comprises a toxic component called daigremontianin.
Common symptoms are weakness and vomiting. And in occasions, it can also cause abnormal heart rate and collapse.
Kalanchoe Delagoensis
This succulent is toxic to cats, dogs, and grazing animals. It is also known as Bryophyllum Delagoensis and is a rapidly growing plant that can multiply in any land. They give out baby plantlets that sprout from the ends. The plantlets are proficient in suiting persistently in any land, and their seeds can endure for long even after the plants have died.
These succulents cannot just survive drought, but can adapt to various environments, are weed species in the world. They comprise component bufadienolide cardiac glycosides, which is fatal on ingesting in large quantities. The toxicity level is usually mild to moderate and not severe.
These succulents are poisonous to cats, and can cause gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, irregular heart rhythm (rare), diarrhea. It can only be fatal when consumed in larger quantities.
Crassula Ovata or Jade Plant
Your Jade plants can be poisonous to your cats and dogs. They are natives of Mozambique and South Africa. And are also called money trees or lucky plants, they are one of the most popular succulents in most gardens.
The Jade plant has thick, shiny, fleshy leaves that grow in pairs. However, it is yet to discover what makes this plant toxic. The usual symptoms are vomiting, in-coordination, depression, and lethargy.
Crassula Arborescens or Silver Jade
These succulents are poisonous to cats and dogs. The Crassula Arborescens is also known as the Money plant, is native to the region of South Africa. Their differentiating features their dollar-like leaves, which have a round shape and silver-green with red edges. The toxic factor of this plant is also not known, but it can cause nausea and vomiting in your pets.
Sansevieria Trifasciata
This toxic succulent to your cats and dogs is also known as Snake Plant or Mother-in-Law’s Tongue. It is native plant to West Africa. They have long and windy leaves that are green in color, and some of them have yellow edges.
These plants make great starter succulents due to their capacity to tolerate ignorance. These plants are known to act as air purifiers and clean the air in your home or space. The chemical component in this plant that can irritate is Saponin. It is also present in several other succulents.
These succulents are poisonous to cats and if ingested the symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Senecio Rowleyanus or String of Pearls
These succulents are toxic to your cats, dogs, and other pets. They are native to the region of South Africa and are very popular for their sprawling pattern and adaptability. The stems can grow up to three feet long and make the best hanging plants. They also have a lining of tiny, round, green leaves.
These succulents are desirable because of their beauty and scarce appearance. They produce wooly white flowers that have a sweet cinnamon scent. Also, these succulents cannot tolerate low temperatures and need intense sunlight.
The toxic component of this plant is its sap, making it one of the most infamous succulents poisonous to cats. It can cause dermatitis or skin irritation to both humans and pets. The main symptoms are vomiting, drooling, and lethargy.
For additional information about succulents that are poisonous to cats, you can check this video at:
It will help in giving you more details and insights about your succulents and their suitability.
Final Takeaway on succulents poisonous to cats
Succulents may look tempting for your cats or pets. All you need to do is keep them away from them and take essential measures to keep your garden and pet happy. Now that you know about the succulents poisonous to plants, you can design your garden accordingly and keep your cats safe.
You can also check out our other blogs for a better understanding and knowledge about succulents and their toxicity.