Succulent ID help - is this poisonous to cats?

8 years ago

Hello, I am new to this forum, I hope someone can help me please.

My friend gifted me with a succulent for my home office, and it seems that my cat chewed on it. I hope that it is safe for cats! In the picture you can actually see her in the mirror behind the plant :-)

Thank you for any help on this!

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Comments (5)

LeslieM peoria az
8 years ago
I couldn't tell you if the plants are toxic or not, but if your cat isn't throwing up or acting sick, she's probably fine. My cats have made meals of most of my plants, and quite a few of them are considered toxic. Philodendron, pothos, poinsettia, dieffenbachia, zz plant, to name a few, as well as vases full of cut flowers. None of them has had a bad reaction. I try and put plants they like to eat up on a shelf or stack them up on something they can't climb(books, an overturned pot, anything sturdy that gets it beyond their reach) to try and discourage them. And maybe grow them their own pot of wheat grass or something, so they have something to chew on.
lenahcmaisondereve thanked LeslieM peoria az
lenahcmaisondereve
Original Author
8 years ago
My cat isn't acting throwing up or acting sick, so I will take that as a good sign. I got concerned because it's my first plant (I'm not a green thumb at all!) and I wasn't sure what plants are toxic for cats.

I will try and grow some wheat grass to she has something to chew on instead of my succulents.
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Glad to share info. If you ever cut into this plant, know that it has latex sap, which can cause a rash on the skin of those unfortunate enough to be sensitive to it. Avoiding getting the sap on you should be easy, you don't want to 'find out' if you are sensitive to getting this rash, on par with poison ivy rash. The sap can 'squirt' when the plant is punctured, be ready. I usually drape a plastic bag over plants (after I have my hand/snipper in place) that I know to have toxic sap if I want to cut into them. I don't want to have to run inside for an unscheduled shower. Many anecdotes out there about folks going to the ER if the sap gets in their eyes.
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Norma, I have had many cats over the years too, none, as you say has ever died from eating a plant of any kind, inside or outside. Currently I have 3 cats of my own. I have over 100 houseplants, anything that is questionable at all, 14 plants, are up on shelves in my top set of windows (I have a double row of windows) 12 feet in the air totally away from the cats. The other 85+ plants, mainly gessies, orchids, and hoyas are on sills or plant shelves in basic reach and are totally ignored by my cats. You're right, no problems ever. My problem is this is NOT my cat. Also, without a general ID for two NOID plants I was not willing to take any chances because of that. I am baby sitting him for the next few months. He's also been totally outside as a feral for all but the last month of his 7 months of life, so he's just now learning house manners (take this as meaning he is excellent at climbing curtains, is most active at night, etc.) and going to be neutered next week. cactusmcharris, gardenbear1 and tjicken, thanks so much for the info and advice. I'm going to keep them hanging in their usual spots in the windows but will block the windowsill for the time being so he can't get on it until I get the little guy more under control.
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There has been no research to determine what houseplants are and are not toxic to cats. All we know about are the ones that have poisoned enough cats to be identified by a large number of vets who have reported them. Most of the time, there just isn't a way to know why a cat develops liver failure, or kidney disease, or pancreatitis, or blindness, etc.. Most toxins don't cause sudden and obvious signs like seizures and other neurological signs, vomiting, bleeding from the mouth or nose, etc. In light of that fact, it isn't safe to presume any houseplant is safe. Squirt bottles only work if you see it happening, and if the cat doesn't learn that you control the squirt bottle, and to do it behind your back. Treating all plants with a bitter apple or bitter lime spray like "Fooey" will prevent the cat from developing a taste for plants, or a habit of chewing them, and will keep most cats out of trouble. You need to do it early, BEFORE the habit develops. if you wait until the cat chews, it's much harder to break the habit, and the damage might be done already. You want that very first bite to really taste horrible.
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Sierra
8 years ago
Fair warning, I've never had store bought wheat grass live too long. (The pre-grown pet store stuff.)

However, I did have a big pot of catnip indoors, and occasionally I'd forget to water it. It would go to seed and grow back even larger. My cats were crazy about it!
Joan Branin
8 years ago
I have the exact same question.
ewwmayo
8 years ago
Joan, if you have the same species... from bottom left clockwise they look like:
1. Echeveria maybe, not sure.
2. Crassula tetragona
3. Crassula capitella
4. Sedum rupestre

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Succulent ID help - is this poisonous to cats?

Comments (5)

LeslieM peoria az

lenahcmaisondereve
Original Author

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Succulent ID help - is this poisonous to cats?

Comments (5)

LeslieM peoria az

lenahcmaisondereveOriginal Author

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Sierra

Joan Branin

ewwmayo

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lenahcmaisondereve
Original Author