Dracaena cats poisonous

But did you know that all dracaena cats poisonous them can make your cat or dog sick if he or she ingests any part of the leaves, stems, bark, or roots?

Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. Marta Vidal-Abarca. Are you thinking of adding new plants to your home and are worried about the safety of your cat?

Dracaena cats poisonous

My first plant as an adult was a Marginata Dracaena. I had been wanting a plant for my apartment, and, after scouring some blogs, loved the look and easy care of dracaenas, so I bought one in It was the best mistake I ever made. In retrospect I had no idea what kind of houseplant it was, maybe some kind of palm tree? It was so lush and, according to NASA, it was an air purifier, so it must be fine. I also purchased a matching pot and a bag of soil for replanting. Replanted, it looked just lovely. My curious cat, Harlequinn, wandered over and nibbled on its leaves a bit, so I moved the plant to a higher location. Hours later, I found her munching on considerably more of the leaves. I had no idea houseplants could be poisonous — I mean why would they sell them?! I threw the plant outside in the snow and monitored my cat closely closer then she wanted, trust me for the next 24 hours. Everything she did, I checked her mouth, her poop, inspected the hairball she produced shortly after, how much water she was drinking. I worried I would have to bring her to the vet and have her stomach pumped. What if she dies? The worry, oh my God, the worry.

You are going to send email to, dracaena cats poisonous. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If your cat chews on or eats leaves of Dracaena plant, here are symptoms:.

The cornstalk plant, corn plant, ribbon plant, dragon tree, money tree, or lucky bamboo are a few of the common names used for plants of the genus Dracaena. There are varying species that contain unknown steroidal saponins which may cause drooling, vomiting, weakness, incoordination and dilated pupils cats when ingested. The content of this page is not veterinary advice. A number of factors amount of substance ingested, size of the animal, allergies, etc. If you think your pet has eaten something potentially toxic, call Pet Poison Helpline or seek immediate veterinary treatment.

Dracaena plants are highly popular as indoor and outdoor houseplants, originating from Madagascar and other islands in the Indian Ocean. Known for their slender, palm-like leaves, these plants can grow up to 10 or 20 feet with proper care. Despite their striking appearance, pet owners should be cautious when incorporating dracaena plants into their home, specifically cat owners. With 37 varieties of dracaena, all have been identified as toxic to cats, causing a range of symptoms that can impact their health. Saponins, the poisonous compounds found in dracaena, can vary in potency from mild to moderate, and though most plants have an unpleasant taste, it is still essential to keep your feline companions away from them.

Dracaena cats poisonous

Yes, dracaena is toxic to cats. All parts of the plant, including leaves, stems, and flowers are considered potentially dangerous if ingested by felines. The toxicity can cause a range of symptoms from mild stomach irritation to serious neurological damage. Finally, I will explain how to prevent cats from being exposed to dracaena in the first place. By understanding what makes dracaena so toxic and taking the necessary precautionary measures, pet owners can keep their cats safe and healthy. While dracaena looks like an attractive way to bring some greenery into your home, the truth is that this plant is actually toxic for cats. It contains saponins, which are naturally occurring glycosides found in many plants, and when cats consume them they can become sick from vomiting to suffering from abdominal pain or even liver damage. Research has been conducted to determine how toxic dracaena can be for cats. A study conducted by the University of Manchester in the UK examined what would happen if cats were fed dracaena leaves over five days and found that it caused kidney toxicity. The same study also found that regular consumption of dracaena can cause anorexia, weight loss and dehydration in cats.

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They come from Madagascar and other islands in the Indian Ocean. Severe dehydration can require hospitalization, so that she can be given electrolytes and intravenous fluids. Totally agree, Jonathan. I miss her terribly and question everything every day of what we missed…. Certain cookies are necessary for the website to function. Has your cat or dog nibbled on your dracaena? George, Utah Update. Or rather saponin, a chemical compound that is found in the plant, is toxic to them. But did you know that all of them can make your cat or dog sick if he or she ingests any part of the leaves, stems, bark, or roots? Corn Plant. An affected pet may also experience increased salivation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

Paola Cuevas. Having live houseplants adds a nice touch to your home and helps to keep your air clean, but our feline companions do enjoy playing with leaves and flowers.

Our Vet Explains Answered by Dr. You are going to send email to. With the help of your vet, your cat or dog should make a quick recovery within 24 hours of having eaten any dracaena parts. It is also toxic to cats as it contains saponins. I also purchased a matching pot and a bag of soil for replanting. Hepper is reader-supported. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Helga George, PhD. Skip to content Hepper is reader-supported. And im not getting rid of them for a cat. Lauren Explains Cat Carriers. I had been wanting a plant for my apartment, and, after scouring some blogs, loved the look and easy care of dracaenas, so I bought one in Totally agree, Jonathan. The first has to do with the toxins in dracaena, and the other is about the plant itself. Learn how your comment data is processed.