Non-Poisonous Succulents Safe for Cats You should Know

Most pets like to sniff and taste plants, especially succulents. And, you are probably wondering if they are safe for your pets. The good news is that there are various succulents safe for cats, dogs, and other pets around your home. 

Succulents are fun and easy to care for, especially they also can be planted in rocks because they require low maintenance. Consequently, they help beautify the environment that surrounds you, which gives you a good feeling. Continue reading this article because it explores some of the cat-friendly succulents that you should propagate indoors.

To find succulents not poisonous to cats, you can take a look at this summary table:

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Features

Further information

Haworthia Attenuata

- Brand: Succulent Plant
- Cactus and succulents are pretty and very easy to grow
- Just sun and water ones a week
- 2" 4" or 6" pot for reference of the size of the plant
- The pot or soil are not included

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Brussel's Live Pony Tail Palm Indoor Bonsai Tree

- Brand: Brussel's Bonsai
- Item Dimensions LxWxH: 14 x 10.5 x 9.5 inches
- Item Weight: 7 pounds
- Bonsai, Decorative Container (Assorted Colors & Styles), Soil, Care Instructions.
- Truck is where it stores a reserve of water making it highly tolerant to drought.
- Medium 5 year old bonsai will arrive between 12" to 20" tall in a 8" container

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Echeveria

- Brand: Altman Plants
- Package Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 5 inches
- Item Weight: 4.8 ounces
- In 2 1/2" pots fully rooted in soil
- All plants come with helpful Care instructions
- PACKAGED WITH CARE at our Facility by our succulent shipment specialists

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Sempervivum

- Brand: Plants for Pets
- Package Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 4 inches
- Item Weight: 3 pounds
- Hand selected sempervivum succulents
- Growing succulent seeds is a hassle
- Plants are FULLY ROOTED IN 2 INCH SUCCULENT POTS
- Easy hourse plant, no fancy supplies needed

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Why the Focus on Cats?

The focus is directed towards the cats because they like to climb dreadful places to bite on the leaves. Secondly, unlike the children, the pets are less supervised. Thus, they have great chances of chewing the succulents’ leaves.

Lastly, in the past few years, succulents have become extremely popular due to their low maintenance and beauty. Nevertheless, their leaves are quite thick and juicy; therefore, they can be highly toxic to your cats if consumed.

Non-Toxic Succulents Safe for Cats

Several succulent varieties are non-toxic to your pets, especially your cats and dogs. So, are succulents safe for cats? There is no straight answer to this question because it is broad and subjective.

You should remember that, although these plants are non-toxic if ingested by your cats, it’s advisable not to consume them. Therefore, store them in places that your cats find difficult to access and reach. Moreover, this article provides a list of safe succulents for your cats and probably your dogs.

1. Zebra Haworthia

This is one of the most attractive plants that you might wish to have in your home. It requires low maintenance, and it’s also the safest succulents for your cat. Moreover, they are easy to care for and relatively difficult to kill.

They are small in size, and their popular origin is South Africa. Haworthia exhibit different appearances and unique forms, such as translucent or transparent leaves that are narrow and pointed. If you are a beginner in gardening, this is the ideal indoor plant for you.

Most succulents like direct bright sun, but this species is quite different from others. Haworthia adapts perfectly under distilled bright sunlight, whether you grow them outdoors or indoors. Therefore, direct sunlight can destroy them, and as a result, they can exhibit reddish leaves.

They don’t like their roots to stay wet for long; therefore, the potting soil mix should be aerated appropriately and well-drained. However, you can mix pumice, gravel, and perlite to make your potting soil mix. Remember that all plants require water as one of the growth conditions.

The best watering method is to soak and dry because it allows the soil to be parched in between regular watering. Do not overwater them to prevent root rot, which eventually kills the plant. Consequently, overwatering makes this species to be highly susceptible to pest infestation and diseases.

2. Ponytail Palm

They are not palm trees, as the name insinuates. Although they are the safest succulents for your pets, such as cats and dogs. By the way, did you have any idea that ponytail palms are succulents? Of course not, but these plants originate from the Lillies plant family and live for several years, making them very popular houseplants.

They tend to produce flowers if you grow these species outdoors. However, you can also plant them indoors because they require low maintenance and have slow growth. They are native to Mexico, especially the south-eastern arid area. 

Ponytail Palms are extraordinary houseplants because they require direct bright light to flourish. Consequently, they can tolerate partial indoor sunlight, although this can make them to have slow growth. Apart from that, they like well-drained soil, such as a mixture of sand, perlite, and soil. 

Propagate them in a pot with perfect drainage holes that allow excess distilled water to flow out. You can determine the dryness of the soil using your finger before watering. You can also apply the soak and dry watering techniques to prevent root rot, which might kill them in the long run.

Water inconsistently during the winter season, as you maintain the required temperature. If you subject your ponytail palms to suitable growth conditions, they grow healthy and strong. Therefore, they become less toxic and safe for cats.

3. Echeveria

They are popular succulents that originate from arid areas of Central America and Mexico. They have fleshy and juicy leaves and exhibit the rose shape. Moreover, they are soft and have shiny and waxy cuticles, forming rosettes in impressive pastel size, shapes, and colors.

They are the most attractive and gorgeous succulents safe for cats. Moreover, they are quite appealing to many pets, not only for their magnificence but also for their juicy leaves. Their flowers, unique colors, and geometry are captivating and fascinating.

Their low maintenance and unique appearance make them suitable for your indoor houseplant, terrariums, and floriated arrangements. Most growers have created several unique hybrid varieties of Echeveria through cross-pollination.

Echeveria do not require excess water, just like other succulents. Nevertheless, you must ensure the soil is dried before you water them. Do not overwater them to prevent root rot, resulting in pest and disease infestation and eventually death.

If you want your Echeveria to stay strong and healthy, you should subject them to intense direct sunlight for about five hours. They tend to struggle if you place them under partial light, resulting to sunburn black spots on the leaves. Cactus potting mix is suitable for them to thrive well.

4. Sempervivum

These succulents are evergreen, beautiful, and spread fast; that’s why they attract cats. Sempervivum means to live forever; therefore, they can tolerate poor soil and harsh growth conditions. They are also referred to as hens and chicks.

They are succulents safe for cats, and they can make your home garden look very beautiful and attractive. Several hybrid varieties of Sempervivum have been created; thus, they are available in various shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. They are ideal outdoor garden plants because they are heat and drought-resistant plants. 

Sempervivum gained the name hens and chicks because the rosette, known as the hen, produces very small rosettes called chicks. The good news is that hens and chicks are non-toxic to your pets. Therefore, they cannot harm your cats playing around them. There is no harm even if they decide to have a bite.

Nevertheless, they are easy to care for and require low maintenance. They can grow well if you subject them to both direct intense sunlight and partial sunshade. Ensure you prevent sunburn, which can cause the leaves to fade and become brown.

Sempervivum don’t require regular watering because they can adapt in any watering condition. Besides, they receive constant rainfall if you propagate them outdoors, depending on the season and the area you live in. But if you are growing them indoors, you should water them every 14 days by applying the soak and dry mechanism.

Are Succulents Toxic to Cats?

Succulents are popular because they are ideal indoor plants, and they are also easy to propagate and care for. They are characterized by fleshy and juicy leaves, as well as thick stems. They are also tolerant to desert environments, but they can thrive under different conditions.

They are beautiful and great for humans, but some of them are not suitable if you have pets in your home. Some of the varieties can cause significant harm to your cats if they consume them. Therefore, if you have a cat or a dog in your home, you should avoid the following succulent varieties:

1. Kalanchoe

Most pets love them for their plentiful blooming with a wide range of colors, such as sizzling orange and soft pink. It is known by various names such as mother-in-law indoor plant, mother of millions, and chandelier houseplant. Therefore, pets, especially your cats, should not consume it because they can become very ill.

 Some of the signs and symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and unusual heart rate. Therefore, you should not keep them around if you love your pets and you want to keep them safe from harm. And your cat should not bite or consume a plant known to be the devils’ backbone.

It is imperative to seek immediate health care treatment from a veterinary expert. Although they are not harmful to humans, your pets should be given first priority too. So keep off the Kalanchoe plant because they are toxic.

2. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is characterized by extraordinarily long and spiky tendrils. Some species have white spots on their leaf surface, while others produce flowers occasionally. It is advisable to keep Aloe Vera away from your pets to prevent indigestion difficulties and possibly death.

This is a very popular and beneficial succulent because it’s widely used for therapeutic and pharmaceutical purposes. It has sap that is used for healing sunburns. In addition, its extracts are used in cosmetics, various supplements, and other chemical compositions.

Nevertheless, Aloe Vera is very poisonous to your pets, especially their saponins, which cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Your pets might suffer from diarrhea, constant vomit, and lethargy. Apart from the sap, it contains latex which is highly purging.

Diarrhea results in dehydration and stomach discomfort. It is also dangerous to humans because it causes skin rashes if you come in contact with the sap. Therefore, you should take your pet to a veterinarian for treatment and necessary care.

3. Jade Plant

Its scientific name is Crassula Ovata and is also referred to as a lucky tree or money plant. Jade is easy to grow, and you can place them on your windowsill. It’s characterized by woody and plump stems, as well as oval and thick leaves. 

There are several jade plants, and you should keep them away from your pets and children too. If your cats consume it, then it can be bad news to them. They can experience specific symptoms such as stomach upset, incoordination indigestion, and maybe vomiting.

How to Protect your Cats Against Toxic Succulents?

With several succulent varieties and readily available exotic houseplants, you can protect your cats by identifying the toxic plants that affect them. Alternatively, you can avoid propagating them indoors at all, and opt for other houseplants. You can check the list of poisonous plants so that you can certain.

If you already brought any of the succulents in your home, you should consult a horticulturist to examine them if they are either non-toxic or poisonous. In addition, you should know both their Latin and common names. This is because, whether your succulents are toxic or non-toxic, they can cause gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested.

In case you have some succulents already in your house, and you realize they are poisonous, the best thing to do is to place them in a separate room away from the cats. And, inform everybody in the house for them to be aware.

So, what can you do if your cats ingest toxic succulents? If you realize your cats are affected, first, you should identify the succulent consumed. Then, examine the toxicity level and reactions through the internet. 

You can also take its sample and show it to your veterinary doctor for further advice on what to do. The best thing to do is to be proactive and learn about all the succulents safe for cats and those that can harm them. You can also call the pet help and control center close to you for quick assistance and treatment.

Conclusion

There are numerous varieties of succulents safe for cats. Some of them include Haworthia, Ponytail palm, Echeveria, Sempervivum, and many more that you can bring into your house. These plants tend to require low maintenance and are relatively easy to care for.

And are succulents bad for cats? Some plants are attractive but highly poisonous if consumed by your cats, such as Jade plants, Kalanchoe, Aloe Vera, and several other species. Therefore, you should formulate proper ways to prevent them from ingesting them. Although poisoning is pretty much rare, your cats might be in danger if you don’t attend to them immediately. 

To check if your succulents are safe to have them around your home. You can check the website of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). They provide a complete list of both non-toxic and poisonous succulents for all your pets.

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