Are aglaonema toxic to cats and other pets: Aglaonema, commonly known as Chinese Evergreen, is toxic to pets. The plant contains compounds that can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested. These toxic compounds primarily consist of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals found throughout the plant. Ingestion of aglaonema by pets can lead to various symptoms such as irritation of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract, causing discomfort, drooling, and difficulty swallowing.
Additionally, pets may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite as a result of consuming this plant. Prompt veterinary attention is essential if a pet has ingested aglaonema to manage their symptoms and provide appropriate treatment. Pet owners should exercise caution and keep aglaonema and other toxic plants out of reach to ensure the safety and well-being of their furry companions. It’s important to educate oneself about plant toxicity and opt for pet-friendly alternatives when choosing indoor flora.
Is Aglaonema toxic to cats?
Aglaonema is toxic to cats, felines, dogs, horses, and other pets, especially if your animal loves to nibble on the leaves and flowers. If you possess Chinese Evergreens, it is recommended to keep them away from kids who love playing with Aglaonema.
Now you may wonder why Aglaonema is toxic? Aglaonema’s leaves contain chemicals that are poisonous to pets and especially cats. These chemicals are known as insoluble calcium oxalates and some common plants like Dieffenbachia, Schefflera, etc., contain these chemicals. If your cat chews or swallows Aglaonema’s leaves, Symptoms of Chinese Evergreen Poisoning will appear.
Name: | Aglaonema modestum |
family: | Araceae |
Toxic for: | Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses |
Toxic substance: | Insoluble calcium oxalates |
Clinical Signs: | oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing |
Information in the table above is gathered from ASPCA, which is available to read.
Symptoms of Aglaonema Poisoning in Cats and Other Pets
Whenever you realize these symptoms, you need to get your cat to an emergency vet right away to receive treatment. Symptoms of aglaonema Poisoning in cats, and other pets are as follows:
- Excessive drooling (seen in humans as well)
- Vomiting (seen in humans as well)
- swelling in parts of the mouth and tongue (seen in humans as well)
- Excessive pain in the mouth (seen in humans as well)
- Oral irritation
- difficulty swallowing
What Should You Do if Your Cat or other pets Eat Aglaonema?
First, make sure the reason for your cat’s and pets’ illness is Aglaonema; a blood test will diagnose this. If you suspect any of the symptoms that we mentioned in your cat, get it to a vet to have a blood test and start treatment in case of any toxic substance’s presence. It’s crucial to avoid any home remedies or actions without professional advice, as they could potentially worsen the situation. Prioritize your pet’s well-being and follow the veterinarian’s instructions closely to manage the situation effectively. Quick and appropriate action can significantly impact the outcome and speed up your pet’s recovery.
Tips for Keeping Your Cat Safe with Aglaonema in the House
If you have a little kid or a cat or any other pets that can chew Aglaonema’s leaves, we recommend you not to keep Aglaonema in the same place, but if you are a plant lover, there are some ways that you can have your cake and eat it too.
Pet-Friendly Repellents
The easiest way is to use Pet-Friendly Repellents. All you have to do is spray enough of them on your Chinese Evergreens, and because of their scents, it will repel cats and other pets. These chemical substances won’t poison your pet. However, this method is not suitable for kids. You can make natural repellents. For example, you can spray lemon on Aglaonema or put lemon peels in its pot or use cayenne pepper to keep your cat away from Aglaonema and other poisonous plants.
plant terrarium
Another way is to plant Chinese evergreen inside of a plant terrarium, of course in a big one. if you grow other houseplants in the same place, Pay attention to Aglaonema’s watering, humidity, soil, and light requirement.
needlepoint mesh
The third way is to use needlepoint mesh around it, a cover that provides good light and the required air to the plant and still keeps your cat safe from being poisoned by the plant.
put your aglaonema in another room
The fourth way is to put your aglaonema in another room that kid or pet never goes there. Since cats are curious, they can have access to even the top of the closet, but if the plant is at a height, it can easily prevent the approach and danger to your kid.
train your pet
The fifth way is to train your pet not to get close to the Chinese evergreen. However, it is a challenging and time-consuming process.
Use Elevated Plant Stands
Elevate your Aglaonema using plant stands or shelves. Placing it at a height where your pets cannot easily reach or jump will prevent them from nibbling on the leaves and flowers.
I suggest you read care for aglaonema silver bay
Aglaonema being toxic to cats and pets in a nutshell.
We looked at Aglaonema’s toxicity to kids, cats, and pets and answered questions like: is Aglaonema toxic to cats? Is Aglaonema toxic to humans? Is Aglaonema toxic to dogs? And many other questions. We should bear in mind that the amount of aglaonema toxicity is not much, and it won’t kill your cats, but it will cause severe illness and reactions. So try to keep them far from your cats and pets. Whenever you suspect that your cat or pet has swallowed Aglaonema, take it to the vet as soon as possible.
If you have any experience with aglaonema toxicity to cats and other pets or even humans, share with us so we can use your valuable experience.In a separate article, we talked about the snake plant toxic , which it is better read.