Are Polka Dot Plants Toxic to Cats? Common Houseplants Examined

The Polka Dot plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) is also called the Pink Polka Dot plant, the Measles plant, Child’s Tears, or Freckle Face. The inexperienced leaves have freckled markings of pink that seem like polka dots. The extra daylight the plant receives, the pinker the leaves will probably be. This plant is common due to its distinctive recognizing, including a pop of shade to a room.

You probably have cats, it’s possible you’ll be questioning if the Polka Dot plant is poisonous to them. It’s necessary to ensure any plant that you simply convey into your own home will probably be protected in your cats to be round. You probably have cats that chew and swallow plant leaves, it’s very important to ensure the vegetation are usually not dangerous.

The excellent news is that Polka Dot vegetation are usually not poisonous to cats. They’re protected for canine, cats, and different animals.

What If My Cat Eats a Polka Dot Plant?

In case your cat chews on the leaves of a Polka Dot plant, that is largely innocent. The plant isn’t poisonous, so it gained’t launch toxins that poison your cat. It isn’t thought of a harmful plant for cats.

Nevertheless, simply because one thing isn’t poisonous doesn’t essentially imply it must be eaten. Polka Dot vegetation aren’t a part of a cat’s pure eating regimen and shouldn’t be consumed often.

In case you discover that your cat has chewed just a few leaves, this isn’t a trigger for concern. However if you happen to discover that they’ve chewed and eaten just a few leaves, they could expertise abdomen upset, or gastritis, later.

Consuming giant quantities of leaves may result in vomiting and diarrhea. Introducing something new to the digestive system can upset it. Cats have delicate stomachs, and an abrupt change of their eating regimen can set off sickness. These signs are often gentle and resolve on their very own, however you must watch your cat for indicators of a extra significant issue.

If the vomiting and diarrhea don’t resolve on their very own, contact your veterinarian. You also needs to name your vet if any of those signs additionally develop:

Maintaining Your Cat Protected

It’s useful to know that the Polka Dot plant is protected in your cat, however that doesn’t imply your cat must be inspired to eat it.

You probably have cats and houseplants, make sure that to maintain them each protected from each other. You don’t need your cat getting sick or your vegetation getting destroyed. In case you can, use hanging baskets from the ceiling in your vegetation or hold them on excessive cabinets. Commit a room to your vegetation that your cat can’t entry. Use backyard fencing or different limitations to dam your cat’s entry to the vegetation. Place aluminum foil balls or river rocks on the soil within the pots to maintain cats from digging.

It’s higher to keep your cats away from the plants within the first place than take care of any sicknesses that come up in the event that they eat them.

As at all times, make sure any plant that you simply convey into your own home is protected to be round cats.

Conclusion

The Polka Dot plant is a beautiful addition to the house and might brighten any room. Fortuitously, this plant is protected to have in the home if you happen to’re a cat proprietor. The plant isn’t poisonous to cats and gained’t harm them in the event that they chew or eat the leaves. Nevertheless, cats might expertise abdomen discomfort and sickness in the event that they eat giant quantities of the leaves. In case your cat eats this plant, look ahead to any vomiting or diarrhea. If the signs don’t clear up, contact your vet for remedy.

Featured Picture Credit score: RaksyBH, Shutterstock