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Original poster

Houseplants and cats

18 replies

user1471530109 · 05/08/2021 09:40

I have stupidly bought two houseplants yesterday that I now know are toxic to cats. A large cheese plant and an aloe vera. I'm really hoping B&Q will allow me to swap but concerned as I've cut off all the plastic wrap haven't looked for receipt yet either.

Does anyone have any personal experience of using the suggestions I've googled to keep the cats away from the plants? They both have in the past liked to nibble the leaves of whatever I have growing (they are always shooed away) and even if I get rid of these two plants, whatever I get, I'd rather the cats didn't eat the leaves! I've seen chili pepper powder and citric peel suggested. I'm also wondering if I get something they would be allowed to play with, like cat mint, that may help?

I love the cheese plant Sad. Not as much as my furry babies though. Do any of the above work? (Secretly hoping someone says keep the cheese plant...)

OP posts:
Cotswoldmama · 05/08/2021 09:44

I've got both those plants I didn't know they were poisonous to cats! My cat is 14 and is fine. We've always had cats and Swiss cheese plants. I've heard lily's are poisonous too but before i knew I had them. Other than grass I've never seen a cat eat a plant. I personally wouldn't worry I've never actually heard of a cat eating a plant or being poisoned by eating a plant!

cataline · 05/08/2021 09:46

I have 2 plant-nibbling cats and I also have 10 different monstera plants and several aloe veras as well as many other varieties considered to be mildly toxic to cats.

They really aren't interested in them but a quick water spray would deter them if the they ever were!

They have access to several pots of cat grass which they mow (and also like to pull up from the roots and make a mess with!) I grow this from seed and always have several pots on the go, sowing a couple of new ones each week.

I have a couple of sacrificial spider plants too which they nibble the ends off occasionally. Apparently it's slightly hallucinogenic!

I'd never have lillies as they're obviously extremely toxic.

Theunamedcat · 05/08/2021 09:51

My cat ripped through my aloe Vera plants I have none left he chewed through the lot even jumping on top of the kitchen cupboard to get to them anything green is like a drug to him even my lettuce isn't safe from him he literally stole my work lunch

I have nothing green in my house except a Christmas cactus which is fortunately spiky and unappealing

Original poster
user1471530109 · 05/08/2021 09:55

I know about the Lilies! I've stopped have daffodils inside too as one of the cats was throwing up two days on the trot and I linked it to her nibbling the dafs. May have been a coincidence.

I'm very happy you both have these plants successfully with cats! The aloe Vera googled as being highly toxic though. And one thing I read said that if the leaf of the cheese plant is eaten to rush cat to vet Shock.

I'm off work the next few weeks so will try the spraying them with water-thank you. I love the idea of growing them their own pots of stuff to nibble and play with. They are house cats so I'm sure they would love this. Thank you for the suggestion.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1471530109 · 05/08/2021 09:57

@Theunamedcat was your cat ill? From eating the aloe plant?

Mine definitely like to nibble whatever I bring in. I do have a fair few cacti Grin!

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 05/08/2021 11:06

It’s all bulbs that affect cats. I wouldn’t risk it personally, the most toxic we’ve got here is a snake plant but it’s in a room where cats aren’t allowed & if she does get in and nibble she’ll only get tummy ache.

They really ought to mark plants as pet safe or not, it wouldn’t be a huge ask.

If b&q don’t refund you email the chief exec and complain because it’s a hassle having to go back anyway. I always do this if I don’t get a sensible solution to a simple problem.

Theunamedcat · 05/08/2021 12:51

[quote user1471530109]@Theunamedcat was your cat ill? From eating the aloe plant?

Mine definitely like to nibble whatever I bring in. I do have a fair few cacti Grin![/quote]
He ended up with a noisy stomach he literally did it in one day I spoke to the vet she said if it persisted to bring him in but it looks like he wasn't super intolerant to it he got away with bad gas it effects others worse he still dives after anything green we have to be super careful

Original poster
user1471530109 · 05/08/2021 14:45

I agree @Fluffycloudland77 that labelling would be very useful! I've got a devils ivy plant that I've just checked and it's also toxic! The cats have lived with it for over a year (and been eating it!) and not had any ill effects that have been obvious...they do seem to have stopped, so maybe? I had the plant before the cats and didn't even think.
I'm going to keep an eye on what they do with the plants over the next few days/weeks I think. I haven't seen them go anywhere near either today. I'm going to get some cat mint. How quick does it grow from seed? Can you get it as a plant?

The @Theunamedcat I'm glad you're cat wasn't too ill! It's obviously not too toxic and in the same.league as lillies.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 05/08/2021 14:50

Aloe is very toxic, unamed cat was just lucky. Can you hang the ivy out of reach?.

All the interesting looking plants like yucca & Dracaena are toxic. Aspidistra, areca palms, kentia palms, coco palms, spider plants & calethia are safe.

I’d imagine catmint grows quickly being part of the mint plant.

Original poster
user1471530109 · 05/08/2021 15:45

@Fluffycloudland77 the devils ivy I've had with the cats for about 18 months and despite them nibbling at it, it hasn't done any noticeable harm. I have noticed they've lost interest though.

If the aloe is very toxic, I will take it to work then. It's a gorgeous looking plant and a particularly nice one. I've ordered some catmint seeds!

OP posts:
DogsSausages · 05/08/2021 15:47

Can you grow cat grass and cat mint instead

Theunamedcat · 05/08/2021 22:40

Aloe is very toxic but mad cat ate some of the middle spat out the outside that is why he was OK tbh he seemed more interested in shredding the plant than eating it the other cat just pissed in the pot it was an interesting first weekend that involved a lot of cleaning 😳

Oldraver · 06/08/2021 10:15

DS has an Aloe vera and the cat never bothered with it. However if we broke a piece off we would cover the cut as Colin did like to sit on DS's window sill and would brush past

If you do LFT's, the long baggies in the pack are great for covering Aloe Vera leaves and storing all my sewing supplies

Oldraver · 06/08/2021 10:17

Hope you don't mind me posting Plants poisonous to cats

Original poster
user1471530109 · 06/08/2021 18:15

I've removed the aloe vera and replaced with a spider plant. Also bought to huge catmint plants. They've not even had a sniff! HmmGrin

OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 06/08/2021 18:18

I have loads of aloe plants,had no idea they were poisonous, cat's not bothered with plants Grin

Oldraver · 06/08/2021 18:26

@user1471530109

I've removed the aloe vera and replaced with a spider plant. Also bought to huge catmint plants. They've not even had a sniff! HmmGrin
Ernie ignited the catmint for years, Dexter turned up and was rolling in it
Caramelsmadfuzzytail · 06/08/2021 18:55

When I was a kid we had a cat mint plant at the bottom of the garden. We regularly saw a variety of cats, stoned and laying in the middle of it.
I cant have plants or cut flowers because my cat knocks them over.

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