Are olive trees toxic to cats

Over the spring and summer I experienced some pretty heavy urban jungle envy. That Instagram-worthy room with a bright white wall, the morning light pouring through a big window, all on an indoor microcosm of the plantae kingdom. But with cats in the house, that’s not always practical. A lot of popular houseplants that you see all over those perfect photos on Instagram and Pinterest are toxic to cats. Don’t let your dreams of plant parenthood be totally dashed though, because this article is all about plants that are safe for cats.

So which plants are safe for cats? And what plants are toxic for cats? I’m so glad you asked, because I’ve collected together some information that can help you out. I’ve also made it into a bit of a game.

Reading: Are olive trees toxic to cats

Remember those “eat this, not that” books and magazines that would tell you to eat a glazed doughnut instead of a multigrain bagel because everyone was afraid of eating carbohydrates? This article is going to be like that…sort of. Except for it will be more of a “instead of this plant, try that plant.” No carbs involved.

I’m sure there’s a whole lot of you that will be sad to learn that a Fiddle Leaf Fig or a Birds of Paradise is toxic to your cat who just can’t stop eating your plants. But don’t worry, I’m going to recommend at least two similar plants that are safe for cats.

Here’s our first episode of “instead of this, try that!”

Instead of this: Fiddle Leaf Fig

The fiddle leaf fig is toxic to cats. Which is a huge bummer because its uniquely shaped leaves and details are so stunning. If ingested, the insoluble calcium oxalates in the plant can cause vomiting, intense burning irritation in your cat’s mouth, and difficulty swallowing. If you already have a fiddle leaf, put it in a room your cat doesn’t often venture. The good news is there are other indoor trees that are safe for cats.

Try that: Banana Tree

Try that: Money Tree

Instead of this: Rubber Plant

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The Ficus Elastica, or rubber plant, is a leggy ficus tree with dark green leaves that may have a burgundy tone underneath. It has a white sticky sap that gives it its name the “rubber plant.” Cats that consume this sap will have intense oral discomfort if it is ingested. It’s important to ensure your cat doesn’t chew on the rubber plant’s leaves or stem, since this sap is toxic to cats.

Try that: Calathea Medallion

Try that: Baby Rubber Plant

Instead of this: Birds of Paradise

Perhaps the most well sought after indoor plant, and for good reason. The Birds of Paradise plant grows tall stems and long leaves. Their name comes from their flowers, which look like a magical bird. Unfortunately birds are toxic to cats and can really irrigate their GI tract. Fortunately, there are alternative plants that are safe for cats.

Try that: Canna Lily

Try that: Banana Tree

Try that: Majesty Palm

Instead of this: Snake Plant

The appeal of the Snake Plant is its beautiful colors, shape, and low maintenance. That makes it a top notch house plant. But snake plants are not safe for cats. A chemical compound called Saponins is contained in the snake plant. Cats, when they ingest Saponins, will vomit, have diarrhea, and general nausea. Again, if you already have a snake plant, put it in a room where you cat doesn’t wander since the snake plant is toxic to cats.

Try that: Calathea Rattlesnake

Try that: Spider Plant

Try that: Cast Iron Plant

Instead of this: Monstera

The Monstera Deliciosa goes by many names – the Swiss cheese plant, the cutleaf philodendron, the philodendron monstera, and “did you mean Monster’s Inc. Cast?” during some Google searches about monstera and cats. It’s one of the most popular houseplants that you’ve probably seen all over Instagram. Its heart-like shaped leaves with its hole-y indentation (hence the nickname “Swiss cheese plant”) make it unmistakable. However, Monstera are toxic to cats. The plant contains Insoluble calcium oxalates, which if chewed on and ingested can cause intense burning and irritation of the mouth, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing for cats. Monstera should be kept away from cats as much as possible. A bummer, I know, but I have some alternative recommendations!

Try that: Japanese Aralia

Try that: Calathea Medallion

Instead of this: ZZ Plant

Let’s face it – some times you need an adorable plant that’s simple to take care of. With a couple ice cubes a week (or every other week, they don’t mind drying out) and some medium light, not many plants will grow the confidence of your green thumb like the ZZ Plant. Cats should be kept away from ZZ Plants though. They have a sap, similar to the rubber tree, that contain calcium oxalates, which can irritate the skin and mouth of your cat. So unfortunately, ZZ Plants are toxic to cats. If you can keep them away from you cat, you should, because rubbing up on the plant, or chewing on its stem or leaves, can cause irritation.

Try that: Olive Tree

Try that: Basil

Instead of this: Pothos and Philodendron

Both the Pothos and Philodendron are popular vining plants. They’re beautiful, and you can guide them to hang over shelves, stick them in a hanging pot, or place them on a table. Both Pothos and Philodendron or toxic to cats though. And since they’re both vining plants your cats may be apt to try to play with them, especially if they’re hanging within their reach. The devil’s ivy and cats were just not meant to be.

Try that: Sweet Potato Vine

Try that: Watermelon Peperomia

Instead of this: Peace Lily

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The Peace Lily is a houseplant staple. What’s not to love with those big green leaves, and unmistakeable white flowers that peak out of the foliage – just looking at it gives you the sense of why it’s called the peace lily. Cats, though, shouldn’t be left around a Peace Lily because it’s toxic to cats. The Insoluble calcium oxalates in it can cause their mouths, lips, and tongue to burn with irritation. It can also cause your cat to vomit, and have difficulty swallowing. So it’s best to keep cats away from the Peace Lily.

Try that: Orchid

Try that: Canna Lily

Instead of this: Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is not just for your sun burn, it’s also a popular house plant. However, Aloe Vera plant and its sap contains toxic principles known as saponins, and anthraquinones, which can lead to lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats. Aloe Vera plants should be kept away from pets, as it is toxic to cats. However, the gel inside aloe is considered edible and is non-toxic to cats. So aloe vera for cats, whether on their wounds, or if they happen to lick your arm while you’re treating a sun burn, can be okay. That said, you’re better off with plants that are safe for cats in rooms they have access to.

Try that: Haworthia Zebra

Try that: Succulents

Instead of this: Jade plant

One succulent that you may want to avoid is the jade plant. Cats that ingest the jade plant will show signs of depression, incoordination, and they may also vomit. According to the ASPCA, the exact principles in the jade plant toxic to cats isn’t certain, but their behavior may change and they will get sick. There are a lot of safe succulents out there, but the jade plant is one to skip if you keep your plant near your cats.

Try that: Burro’s Tail

Try that: Pilea Peperomioides

Instead of this: Croton and Chinese Evergreen

I’m combining the entry for the Croton and Chinese Evergreen together since their leaves are shaped similarly, and have beautiful leaves that look painted. The picture above is the croton plant. Cats, unfortunately, aren’t very safe around them. Ingesting the leaves or stems of a croton plant can cause oral and gastro intestinal irritation in cats, they can drool, vomit, and f4vn.comlar symptoms are seen with the Chinese Evergreen. Cats that ingest the leaves or stems may also have their mouths, tongues and lips swell. Cats will also have difficulty swallowing if they eat the Chinese Evergreen. It’s best to bring in some Calathea plants that are safe for cats instead.

Try that: Calathea Medallion

Try that: Calathea Ornata

Instead of this: Mass Cane

One of the best beginner house plants is the Mass Cane, or Corn Plant. They’re very easy to take care of, and they can look very nice in a number of different rooms and decorating styles. Not many houseplants can take a beating like the mass cane. Cats aren’t exactly safe around them though. Mass Cane are toxic to cats, as well as other pets and children. They’re a beautiful plant, but you can always choose to get an actual palm tree that is safe for cats instead (another nickname for the Mass Cane is a False Palm).

Try that: Ponytail Palm

Try that: Bamboo

Conclusion

While some of the plants you’ve longed for may be on the toxic for cats list, there are many alternative plants that are safe for cats. And these are just some of the ones I recommend. If you’re looking for more plants that are safe for cats, check out the ASPCA website, which I used for the majority of my research for this article. If you have any questions about any of these plants, or you want to know if a specific plant is safe for cats, feel free to contact us here.

Happy plant shopping!

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