Cats are notorious for their trouble-making and curiosity. They cannot help but question everything around them, and that means an investigation must unfold. Whether they are sneaking up on a plastic bag on the floor or a new houseplant, they are into everything, even when it could be fatal. In this article, we will dive into any dangers peace lilies or philodendrons present for your cat and what to do in an emergency.
Should You Worry About Peace Lilies and Philodendrons Around Your Cats?
Our little furry troublemakers cannot resist taste-testing houseplants, digging in their soil, and sometimes even using them as a bathroom. Plants and cats spell trouble. Some plants may even appear fun to bat at or play with, like the long stem of a peace lily. How dangerous are lilies and philodendrons to cats? Do they instinctively know to stay away from plants that are toxic to them, or is that up to us? Having any pet can have challenges, but with some research, those challenges don’t have to get the best of you.
Peace Lily
Peace lilies are part of the Araceae family, along with all other types of lilies and many common houseplants. Araceae is one of the most prominent families and contains over 4,000 species of both terrestrial and aquatic plants. Seeing a peace lily on the hearth around the holidays is all too familiar for most Americans, but they don’t all know how dangerous they are to our pets.
All lilies contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, a chemical cats cannot break down. They show up in many plant families and can cause foaming at the mouth, drooling, vomiting, mouth sores, and gastrointestinal issues. The crystals are released into the cat’s mouth when they bite into the stalk or other plant parts. Once these crystals are in their mouth, they attack the soft tissue in their mouth, throat, and occasionally in their digestive tract. One good thing about peace lilies is that they do not cause kidney failure like some of the other lily types. Easter, tiger, Asiatic, and daylily all cause kidney damage and are considerably more toxic when eaten.
Philodendrons
Philodendrons make up the second-largest genus in the Araceae plant family. You’ve likely seen the plants everywhere, from your doctor’s office to peoples’ homes and assorted businesses. They are extremely popular for their easy-keeping, beautiful leaves, and tolerant indoor environments, better than some other potted plants. Philodendrons can reach 100 years old in their natural environment and over 20 as a houseplant. They require moist potting soil and low to medium light. Another perk to owning one of these lovely, forgiving plants is that many reach six feet tall.
Regarding your curious fuzzball cat, the plant is not poisonous or deadly but can cause small cell damage to the mouth, throat, and occasionally stomach if eaten. The insoluble calcium oxalates found within the leaves and stalk of the plant are harmful because cats cannot break down the chemical. This could lead to severe mouth discomfort, anorexia, drooling, inflammation of the throat, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. This goes for dogs and horses that come into contact with the plant, too. Although it is unlikely a horse would knock on your door and ask to go in and eat your philodendrons, it’s good to know in places where the plants grow wild and your cat goes outdoors.
Why Not Gift Your Indoor Cat Its Very Own Houseplant?
You might have noticed small plants near the counter while shopping at the pet store. They are for indoor cats to nibble on. Outdoor cats eat grass to calm their stomachs and help eliminate pesky hairballs. Though they frequently vomit up the grass. Your indoor kitty might wish they could snack on some grass outside when they eat a dangerous plant. This is one reason that getting your cat their own potted plant comes into the picture.
Some options for cat grass are orchard, barley, wheat, and oat grasses. By purchasing a small tray of grass, you eliminate one reason your cat tries to sneak outside and help with its nutrition. Grass has tons of fiber! Another perk to letting your cat have its own plant is that you control what goes on it, meaning no chemicals or anything you wouldn’t want near your precious pet. It’s also amusing to watch them nibble on it.
Cats Cannot Resist Plants
It is unlikely that your cat will nibble on your plant and have the desire to come back and do so again later on, given the mouth discomfort it causes cats. Some cats are “that guy” and simply cannot resist returning for seconds, thirds, etc. In a case like that, if you keep a bedroom closed in your home, you could use it as your plant room and keep your cat out. You could also take your chances and hope your cat doesn’t eat any of your plants, though this might end in a lesson and vet trip.
Another option is to elevate the plants on mantles, stands, and anywhere your cat cannot reach. Be forewarned: your cat can bend its little fuzzy body in ways you would not believe, and they can also jump as high as six feet, which means a flying 10-pound cat slams into your plant on its plant stand and eradicates it. Once the soil is spilled, assume they will roll in it. You could end up with a demolished plant, a dirty cat with a sore mouth, and an expensive vet bill. Whether you choose to hide your plants, elevate them, not have them indoors, or purchase some cat grass, always check the ASPCA or the poison control website for information on toxic plants.
