Are orchids safe for cats? It is often thought that orchids toxic to cats, however according to the experts, this is strictly not true. Many cat owners are often hesitant to bring orchids into their home, rightly so, as assuring the safety of their furry family members is a top priority.
Read on to find out if orchids are toxic to cats or if they are safe to have in your home…
What are orchids?
According to Wikipedia, the orchid family is also known as Orchidaceae and is one of the largest families of plants worldwide.
Related post: Are succulents poisonous to cats?
So, are orchids toxic to cats?
There are some plants which you should avoid keeping in the house but orchids are not one of them. Orchids have many different varieties out and none of them can be reported as toxic if your cat ingests it. There cat and orchids can be kept under one roof.
However, most orchids need fertilisers to ensure growth and to keep them healthy – this can be a problem as fertilisers can be toxic for your pets. To avoid this risk try to find an orchid which does not need additional fertiliser to help with growth.
Which orchids are poisonous for cats and which are safe for cats?
As it was previously stated all the orchid plants are safe for cats and you can have them in your home, it is the fertiliser you need to be cautious with.
One of the most common and probably best-known orchids people buy is called Phalaenopsis Orchid. Other popular orchids include:
- Vanda Orchids
- Miltonia Orchids
- Paphiopedilum Orchids
- Cattleya Orchids
- Cymbidium Orchids
- Odontoglossum Orchids
- Dendrobium Orchids
- Oncidium Orchids
Tips for keeping your cat away from your plants
- Vinegar and spray of water is always a good option for a home-made repellent to keep cats and orchids away from each other. Another homemade spray is also cinnamon and cayenne pepper a fool-proof way for keeping cats away from your orchids.
- You can hang your orchids in pots or with hooks this will also make orchids look more pretty and attractive and away from your cat’s reach.
- You should keep your orchids in a separate section of your house and make sure that you keep the door shut on that side. In our house, all of our plants are kept in the bathroom, somewhere our cats are not allowed to go meaning we do not need to worry about any of our plants being toxic to cats.
Which plants are toxic to cats?
As orchids are not poisonous but there are some plants that can be poisonous for your cats and you need to watch them out.
Some of the plants are:
- Peace Lilly
- Peony
- Kalanchoe
- Yew
- Tulip
- Sago Palm
- Oleander
- Hyacinth
- Amaryllis
- Azalea
- Autumn Crocus
What should you do if your cat eats an orchid?
Whether or not orchids are not poisonous to cats it’s always good to keep cat and orchids separate for the health of both.
The most common effect which is seen when a cat eats orchid is stomach ache or possibly diarrhoea. This should not be prolonged or extreme, however, if it is then you should book an appointment with your Vet as soon as possible for treatment. It may also be useful to take a photo of the orchid and fertiliser with you to the Vets incase it will help assist any diagnosis.
So, while orchids may not be directly toxic to cats, the fertilisers often used on them can be. Therefore, it is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to mixed orchids and cats.