Snake plants (Mother-in-law’s tongue) are known houseplants that grow indoors as well as outdoors. Despite the fact that cats do not usually chew on inopportune objects like plants, the possibility still exists. Whether it is a curious kitten or a bored cat, they may consume indoor plants or outdoor ornamental plants. Is snake plant poisonous to cats? Yes, that’s the short answer. In fact, it can cause some gastrointestinal problems and is mildly toxic. You can continue reading to learn more about the toxic parts of this plant, symptoms of toxicity, prevention measures, and first-aid tips.
It is possible for your cat to eat snake plants, but probably not very often. Snake plants are bitter in taste and cause an immediate burning sensation in the mouth, which means animals rarely return for a second bite.
Are Snake Plants Poisonous?
Evergreen Snake plants often keep at home for their air-purifying ability (Sansevieria Trifasciata). The long foliage and ease of maintenance make them one of the best houseplants for both indoors and outdoors. Humans have little to no toxicity from snake plants.
They may not affect our wonderful furry friends, but that does not mean they won’t cause problems. Snake plants are toxic to dogs and cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Saponin is a toxic chemical present in the plant that can cause distressing reactions. For pets such as kittens, puppies, dogs, or cats, the toxicity is mild to moderate. Animals can become toxic if they consume any part of the snake plant.
I wouldn’t worry too much about it, if you already have a cat and snake plant. Here are some tips on how to prevent your cat from eating your plants.
Aside from snake plant toxicity being mild, their overall fatality rate is low for all species. Further, there is another factor that decreases the likelihood of life threatening intoxication after consuming snake plants. There is a bitter taste to all parts of this plant, making it relatively unpalatable. Hopefully, this will convince your cat to leave the plant alone and find better food elsewhere.
Additionally, it is highly unlikely that your pet would consume enough of the plant to be harmful. In cats, the gastrointestinal reaction may be mild to moderate, but the pet is unlikely to suffer life-threatening toxicosis.
What Is Saponin?
Snake plants contain a chemical called saponin, which is toxic for pets. The purpose of saponin is to act as a natural insecticide and fungicide. Additionally, it protects the plant from other microbes. The snake plant also contains saponin, which makes it bitter.
Exactly What Does Saponin Do?
Despite Saponin’s ability to keep insects and fungi at bay, it is toxic to humans and pets. Living beings are toxic to Saponin, which causes gastronomical reactions in humans and animals when ingested. Furthermore, the plant’s juices can cause skin dermatitis. A rash or irritation is associated with dermatitis, a type of skin disease.
Snake plants can cause severe allergic reactions in humans and animals if they are consumed in excess. As a result of these reactions, the oral cavity and esophagus may swell. A response like this can ultimately pose a serious threat to life.
What Parts Of Snake Plants Are Poisonous?
In the form of saponins and organic acids, the mother-in-law’s tongue contains mildly poisonous chemicals. The entire plant contains saponin. Because of their toxic nature, all parts of the snake plant should be avoided. Saponin is found in the long upright leaves and stem of the plant, parts that are easily accessible.
Occasionally, snake plants will bloom and produce greenish-white fragrant flowers that resemble lilies. The blossoms will eventually produce orange-red colored berries. Also, these flowers and fruits are toxic, and should not be consumed.
Mild skin irritation can be caused by the sap or juice of the plant leaves. Cats, however, are unlikely to come into contact with it since their fur covers their bodies.
Can a Snake Plant Kill My Cat?
Snake plants do not pose a life-threatening risk to animals because their toxicity is very low. Most of the time, the stomach upset caused by ingesting the toxins is not very severe, as they are not very potent toxins.
It might be dangerous for your cat, however, if he ingests a large amount of toxic materials. Nevertheless, it is highly unlikely, as explained earlier. The key is to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help your cat recover in just a couple of days.
You cannot kill your cat with a snake plant. Nevertheless, it is strongly advisable to take him or her to the veterinarian if you see the symptoms. Whenever a cat eats a plant, even if no symptoms are visible yet, you should always see a veterinarian.
Signs and Symptoms
Snake plants have a bitter taste combined with a burning sensation in the mouth, making them inedible. Some cats, however, may want to sample the plant. Any pet that consumes any part of the plant will show some common symptoms. Because the plant is indigestible, most of these symptoms relate to digestive problems. It is not common to experience severe symptoms of poisoning from consuming snake plants.
- Vomiting
- Having diarrhea
- Feeling nauseated
- Depression
- Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
- Drooling excessively
- Appetite loss
- Organs such as the tongue, mouth, lips, and throat swell
- lethargy
Take your cat to the veterinarian if any of these symptoms occur. Even if you are certain the plant has not been swallowed by your cat, it will be best to get your cat checked out by a veterinarian. This is a common sign of poisoning and can be caused by a variety of things.
First Aid
- Make sure that your cat doesn’t continue to eat the snake plant after it has eaten the snake plant. Remove leaves that are visible in the cat’s mouth and teeth.
- The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or your veterinarian should be contacted immediately. If, for some reason, you are not able to contact any of them, you can try contacting the local poison control center.
- Take a leaf sample to the vet along with the name of the snake plant your cat ate.
- Keep track of how much of the plant your cat has consumed, as well as the exact or approximate time of its consumption.
- Try not to induce your cat to vomit unless your vet says so. Cats can be adversely affected by traditional home remedies.
- To prevent dehydration from diarrhea, make sure the cat drinks plenty of water.
Snake Plant Poisoning Diagnosis
In addition to the symptoms listed above, you may notice parts of the plant in your cat’s mouth. Plant leaves may show bite marks. Provide the clinic with all of your cat’s medical information. The vet will be able to discover potential complications and risks. Many houseplants are toxic to cats, so provide information about all the plants you keep indoors and outdoors.
If there are any abnormalities, the veterinarian may perform a physical examination. In addition, the cat’s temperature, blood pressure, and other vital functions will be measured. An analysis of organ functions and general health conditions may be recommended by a complete blood and urine test.
The Treatment
There is no specified course of treatment for snake plant poisoning in cats. Usually symptoms are treated as they arise. Other cases may require a hospital stay, while others will not need any treatment.
Plant Material Removal
Prior to starting any further treatment, the vet will make sure all plant matter has been removed from the cat’s mouth. You can do this by flushing the mouth with water to remove any bits of leaves from the teeth and oral cavities. The vet may induce vomiting to empty your cat’s stomach if he or she has not vomited. This will cause your pet to expel the remaining plant parts and prevent further digestion of toxins.
Care Support
To promote a fast recovery for a cat suffering plant poisoning, certain treatment options are used. Antihistamines, for instance, are used to reduce swelling and open the airways in allergic reactions. Following a thorough evaluation, your veterinarian may prescribe a few medications.
- Kapectolin – provides a coating on the stomach lining of cats to protect it
- Sucralfate – reduce gastrointestinal irritation by creating a barrier between digestive acids and the body
The vet may also administer electrolytes through an IV drip if the cat has become dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhea.
Recovery
Since snake plants are mildly toxic, pets are unlikely to die from snake plant poisoning (mother in law’s tongue). The cat should be well within a few days of ingesting the plant. Usually, it takes between one and two days. Be sure to take extra good care of your cat during the recovery period. Be sure to follow the medicine regimen carefully to ensure a quick recovery.
Your veterinarian may have recommended a specific type of cat food that you should give to your cat at certain times. Wait at least 12 hours before feeding your cat again if it vomited after eating or taking the medicine. Small pieces of boiled chicken breast (skinned and boned) with rice should be fed to the cat. As an alternative, chicken baby food may be used. This will ease the transition to a regular diet. Replace the chicken+rice diet with regular cat food over the next two days.
How Can You Prevent Your Cat From Eating Houseplants?
Your home or office will look great with houseplants. However, some plants, like Sansevieria Trifasciata or snake plants, are not pet-friendly. There are ways to make sure there is no discomfort or potential disaster even though many plants are not poisonous.
Here are a few tips and quick fixes for preventing your pets from eating your houseplants.
- Move the plant to an area of your house that your cat cannot reach, preferably on a high shelf. Especially if you have small cats or kittens, this may make it difficult for them to climb and ingest the plant.
- Keep your Mother-in-law’s tongue plant in a room that your cat cannot enter if you have one. Close the door to the room.
- The pot rims can be scented with lemon or orange zest to repel pets. Citrus is disliked by nearly all cats and dogs.
- It is also a good idea to sprinkle cinnamon on the soil. In addition to repelling cats, it also acts as a natural insecticide and fungicide for your snake plant.
- For cats who enjoy eating plants, you can give them cat grass as a treat. You can purchase it from a pet store or order it online. When ingested, cat grass is generally safe, but can sometimes cause vomiting. Cats, however, will not be poisoned by it.
- It is a good idea to remove snake plants from your home and place them outdoors as an extra precaution. They are quite hardy and can grow almost anywhere.
- Make sure your cat remains indoors where you are in total control over the objects it is exposed to, in order to protect it from toxic plants growing outdoors.