Feline owners frequently ask – Are ZZ plants toxic to cats?
These are very popular indoor plants due to the ease of taking care of these. Moreover, they add beauty to your home. It is why many homes have this type of plant as a decorative feature.
However, if you have a cat in the house, it may be best to keep caution about this plant. After all, there are some aspects of it that many people are not aware of.
So, I am here to share with you what exactly the ZZ plants do and how they impact your curious little feline. Let’s get started.
Surprising Plant Fact – Are ZZ Plants Toxic to Cats?
It is quite surprising that there are simply some plants that do not exactly blend well with your household members including pets.
One of these plants, for instance, are ZZ plants or the Zamioculcas Zamifolia. These are quite common indoor plants because of their low-maintenance quality.
They are tough and capable of surviving anywhere. Whether you place them in low-light conditions or not frequently watered, these plants can thrive without a doubt.
Unfortunately, this beautiful plant is a threat to your pets, especially cats.
When your little feline comes close enough to consume bits of it, this can be bad news to your pet.
So, are ZZ plants toxic to cats?
The quick and definitive answer is Yes.
ZZ plants are not the best plants to have when you have cats in the house. Although they cannot exactly kill them or any other pets at home, it is best to be cautious about it.
The plant contains a sap that reacts with your skin’s mucous membranes. Thus, your skin tends to get irritated when you touch this sap.
However, it gets even worse when the sap is consumed. Your curious little cat will undergo diarrhea and vomiting as the body tries to expel this substance. But after some hours, the symptoms will eventually subside.
Just merely touching the plant should be fine except for some skin irritation. Otherwise, it will not be fatal to humans or cats at all.
How to Keep Pets Safe with a ZZ Plant in the House
You like to keep your ZZ plant, yet you also love your pets to bits.
So, how can you keep both without worrying about any illness or accidents with your cats?
There have been myths revolving around the ZZ plants and how they can actually cause cancer. However, this is only an assumption as there is no truth in it.
The plant does have toxic effects when ingested. But simply touching it or brushing your skin against it will not kill you at all.
You may suffer from skin irritation when you fail to wash your hands well after being in contact with the plant. The same holds true with rubbing your eyes after you touch this plant.
If you have pets in the house, it is best to keep the plant out of their reach. They may be curious enough to try to chew on the leaf.
Now, when cats consume the sap or even the leaves, this can be quite harmful. Stomach irritation with symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting may arise.
Ingesting the leaf will not at all be fatal. However, it is concerning when you see your pet suffering from a wide range of stomach issues.
Why Are ZZ Plants Toxic?
This a curious question many people wonder about – are ZZ plants toxic to cats?
What makes the plant poisonous is its unique composition.
For instance, it produces calcium oxalate. This substance makes up your kidney stones, and it has sharp edges. Thus, your body will want to get rid of it quickly by causing you to vomit.
Your mucous membranes and the skin react quickly when exposed to calcium oxalate. This is why you end up going through skin irritations because of this substance.
The same symptoms happen to pets. They experience diarrhea and vomiting as their bodies want to eliminate this calcium oxalate quickly.
If your pet suffers from such symptoms after ingesting the sap of ZZ plants, you can help them expel it quickly. Give your cat plenty of water and some food. This can facilitate the removal of the toxin.
Are your pets safe from your indoor plants? Here are some of the other poisonous plants to cats that you may not know
How to Prevent Pets from Coming Into Contact with ZZ Plants
Now that you know the effects ZZ plants have on your pet, let’s talk about solutions.
What can you do to make sure they do not suffer these risks and symptoms?
First, you should make sure that you place this plant in an ideal spot.
Never keep it in an area where your cats love to linger around. Choosing a location at home that is inaccessible to your felines is the perfect solution.
For instance, you may want to keep the plant in your room and keep the door closed. This will help prevent your cat from getting inside and coming into contact with this plant.
Additionally, some deterrents can help. This is specifically true when you live in a tighter space where there is no other spot to place this plant.
Consider sprinkling some coffee grounds or spraying a vinegar solution around the plant. The strong smell will discourage your pet from coming close to it.
Final Thoughts
Are ZZ plants toxic to cats?
Yes, they are, but that does not mean you can no longer keep these green beauties in the house.
With some practical techniques, you can keep both the plant and your cat and make sure no one gets sick along the process. I hope you were able to learn valuable information and tips from this post to keep your pets and household members safe each time.