Last Updated on January 20, 2022 by
Is Christmas cactus poisonous to cats is one question that most people ask to know if they should include the plant in their Christmas décor.
Cats are like little babies, it’s realistic to be cautious about what you are exposing them to even plants!
Christmas cactus is a common gift to homes around the Christmas holidays. They bloom so well in winter with their showy flowers a common gift to family and friends. With the kids and pets all over the home during Christmas, it is best to know if Christmas cactus poisonous to cats?
Read on to find out how you can protect your pets from any Christmas cactus toxicity.
Is Christmas Cactus Poisonous in General?
The famous Christmas cactus blooms around the Christmas season. Endowed with bright salmon, red flowers, and intricate pads, it stands out from other plants.
This plant is not a true cactus, but an epiphyte. It needs bright light and well-drained soils with moderate water needs.
For blooming, withhold the watering from October so that it can bloom effectively. You can resume the watering in November after the blooming season has stopped.
Unlike other dangerous plants, the Christmas cactus is not too damaging. It is not spiky so it does not hurt the curious kids and the pets.
Find out How Often Should You Water A Cactus
Is Christmas Cactus Poisonous to Cats?
The toxicity or non-toxicity of a Christmas cactus depends on how you have grown your plant. ASPCA plant database shows that the Christmas cactus on its own is not poisonous to cats. But the chemicals and insecticides used on the plant could be toxic.
Cats can also be sensitive to allergic reactions that you don’t know they have. It may eat the Christmas cactus and awaken an allergy, thus thinking the cacti are poisonous.
If you want to use any chemicals on your Christmas cactus, be sure to read all the labels. Read the caution, warnings, and all the information about how long the chemical remains on the plant after spraying. If your pet has ingested any of the Christmas cactus contact your vet for help.
Cats love to play with dirt and scratch through the potting soil. Covering the potting soil with a layer of pebbles helps keep the soil away from the kitty’s paws. You can buy a commercial cat deterrent from stores across the country. You may also cayenne pepper sprinkled all over the plant to act as a deterrent.
The best way to keep a cat away from the Christmas cactus is to plant it in a hanging basket. Be sure to hand the basket where the cat cannot reach it. A cat jumps up pretty easy to keep it away from areas where it’s easy to jump on the plant.
Is This Plant Toxic To Humans?
The Christmas cactus though classified as poisonous does not pose a threat to adults. However, though safe, no parts of the plant should be consumed. The sat that comes out of the leaf-like phylloclade can cause skin irritation.
The Christmas cactus should be kept out of reach of children. If any part is consumed by a child, consult the doctor immediately to avoid any danger.
Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mixed Potting Soil
Why Is Your Cat Attracted To The Christmas Cactus?
You might be wondering why is my cat biting or playing with plants. Here are a few interesting reasons that will tell you why
- Cats are Curious. Curiosity killed the cat is not just an idiom but a true statement in relation to cats! Cats are naturally curious. They go to extreme lengths to quench their curiosity thirst. Your cat is the first to notice a new house plant that you bring in. It will get used to the familiar ones and the day you bring in an unfamiliar, then the journey begins all anew.
The ever-swelling stems and branches of the cactus are what attract the cat to the plant. Your cat is just trying to find out what this plant is and might punch, bite, or swing with it to see its reaction.
- Craving to Play with Different Textures. The cat mostly loves to play with soft, hard, smooth, or hard objects just to enjoy the feel. It will want to bite into the item to experience how it feels. For the same reason, it will do the same with your Christmas cactus plant.
- To Itch. Cats love to rub their bodies on anything in sight. If the cat is feeling itchy, it may rub itself on the cactus for relief. Your cats’ teeth can also be itchy from infection resulting in tooth decay or gum disease. Consult your vet for evaluation!
FAQs
What happens if a cat eats Christmas cactus?
Quick Answer The effects of eating a Christmas cactus are similar to those of eating any other plant. If the cat eats a large amount, the cat may experience vomiting or diarrhea. Other side effects include nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Keep Learning The Christmas cactus is a succulent plant native to the southwestern United States.
It will not hurt the cat. The fruit contains no toxic substances. The only real danger in cats eating Christmas Cactus is to themselves. They could choke on the large seeds, which are about the size of a small pea. You can see the seeds on the end of the spines in this photo.
The fruit has a milky sap that makes it sticky, and it can get stuck in a cat’s throat if they swallow it. But most cats don’t like the taste of the pulp anyway, so it won’t be a problem for them. In any case, I’ve never heard of anyone being seriously injured by a cat eating a Christmas Cactus.
Cats have been known to eat the flowers, but only when they’re sick, or stressed out.
Which cactus is poisonous to cats?
A number of varieties of the prickly pear are poisonous to cats, including the desert rose (Opuntia leptocaulis), the cat claw (Opuntia ficus-indica), and the desert hedgehog (O. lindheimeri). In addition, several varieties of the cholla cactus (Opuntia phaeacantha) are toxic to cats.
How do you keep cats away from cactus?
You can try using a product called Pounce. It is an odorless liquid spray which you can apply to the pads of your plants. It will keep the cats away from them.
Why is my cat eating my cactus?
I have found that the most common reason for this is that your cat does not like the taste of the cactus and instead chews on it to get at the sweet sap. This is often the case when the cactus is not in a proper environment.
Conclusion
FAQs
What happens if a cat eats Christmas cactus?
Quick Answer The effects of eating a Christmas cactus are similar to those of eating any other plant. If the cat eats a large amount, the cat may experience vomiting or diarrhea. Other side effects include nausea, dizziness and shortness of breath. Keep Learning The Christmas cactus is a succulent plant native to the southwestern United States.
It will not hurt the cat. The fruit contains no toxic substances. The only real danger in cats eating Christmas Cactus is to themselves. They could choke on the large seeds, which are about the size of a small pea. You can see the seeds on the end of the spines in this photo.
The fruit has a milky sap that makes it sticky, and it can get stuck in a cat’s throat if they swallow it. But most cats don’t like the taste of the pulp anyway, so it won’t be a problem for them. In any case, I’ve never heard of anyone being seriously injured by a cat eating a Christmas Cactus.
Cats have been known to eat the flowers, but only when they’re sick, or stressed out.
Which cactus is poisonous to cats?
A number of varieties of the prickly pear are poisonous to cats, including the desert rose (Opuntia leptocaulis), the cat claw (Opuntia ficus-indica), and the desert hedgehog (O. lindheimeri). In addition, several varieties of the cholla cactus (Opuntia phaeacantha) are toxic to cats.
How do you keep cats away from cactus?
You can try using a product called Pounce. It is an odorless liquid spray which you can apply to the pads of your plants. It will keep the cats away from them.
Why is my cat eating my cactus?
I have found that the most common reason for this is that your cat does not like the taste of the cactus and instead chews on it to get at the sweet sap. This is often the case when the cactus is not in a proper environment.
We draw one conclusion from the argument is Christmas cactus poisonous to cats. This conclusion states that the Christmas cactus is not poisonous! What they do is cause digestion issues to your pet if it chews on it.
This plant contains fibrous material that is the main cause of digestion problems. This material is what is dangerous to the digestive system of most pets.
Caroline is a gardener who loves to get down to the nitty–gritty of gardening. She proudly proclaims herself as a ‘dirt worshipper‘ and can often be found deep in the garden, covered in soil and singing to her plants. As a self–proclaimed ‘plant whisperer‘, Caroline believes that plants need love and attention just like any other living thing, and she loves to give them both. When she‘s not tending to her garden, you can often find her researching the latest gardening trends, or teaching others how to make their gardens thrive
