All cat owners are invited! Being a plant and cat mom is difficult. Both need attention and consideration. But what if your cherished pet refuses to leave your succulent plants alone? Cats and dogs are frequently left alone in the house, and it’s not uncommon for them to rummage about your lovely plant collection. You’re not alone if you’re wondering if succulents are harmful to cats. It’s a typical query in the world of houseplants and pets!
We hope to address any of your queries about succulents and dogs in this post. We’ve also included our six tried-and-true ways to keep cats away from succulents. These have been tried and true in our home and are the most effective solutions we’ve discovered.
If you’re new to the world of succulents, you should read up on succulent care for beginners.
Succulents: Are they Poisonous to Cats?
First and foremost, before we get into how to keep cats away from succulents, I’ll address the most crucial question. Succulents: Are they Poisonous to Cats? This is a complicated question that cannot be addressed simply with a yes or no.
Succulents belong to over 60 distinct plant groups, and not all of them are hazardous to cats and dogs. If you have a pet, you should conduct research before purchasing any sort of houseplant to confirm that it is safe for your animal. If you buy a deadly succulent for your cat, you may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and eye discomfort. If you experience any of these signs, you should contact your local veterinarian clinic immediately.
Haworthia Plant, Hens and Chickens, and Sedum Morganianum are some succulent kinds that are safe for cats and dogs.
Succulents: Are They Poisonous to Cats?
Is it true that cats eat succulents?
Fortunately, your cat will only try to eat your succulent plant on rare occasions. They don’t smell or taste particularly appealing, and your housepet will usually find something more appealing, like your socks from the washing basket!
This does not imply, however, that your cat or kitten will not devour your houseplants. At the very least, they’ll be sniffing about them, which is why you’re wondering how to keep cats away from succulents. Always get a non-toxic succulent or cactus to be on the safe side.
Keep cats away from succulents with these tips
So, let’s get down to business! We’ve tried and tested a variety of methods for keeping cats away from succulents, and we’ve discovered that the six listed below work best for us.
Terrariums
If you have a hectic schedule, terrariums are a great investment! Not to mention that they are lovely and would make a nice addition to your home’s decor. Terrariums are similar to aquariums, however, they are for plants rather than fish!
Terrariums in glass pots appear to be their own wonderful universe. The succulents and cacti will be protected by the glass container from any unwanted visitors. Just make sure the container is sturdy enough to prevent your cats and dogs from tipping it over.
You’ll also have to water your succulents even less (did we even think that was possible?). This is because the plants and soil in the terrarium emit vapor to water, which collects on the walls of your glass container and drips back into the soil – effectively recycling water!
Learn more about the best succulents for terrariums and the four most basic succulent terrarium maintenance techniques. Terraniums are a great technique to keep cats away from succulents.
Sprays
For every pet owner, this is probably the simplest and most cost-effective option. Spray repellents are available at practically any gardening or pet supply store. It’s simple to use; simply spray your plants with it, and it won’t hurt either the plant or your favorite pet.
If you like to do things yourself, you may mix cayenne pepper into the water and spray it on your houseplants. Vinegar or citrus fruits like lemon can be used in the same way.
Essential oils can also be used as a natural pet repellant, and specific tastes, such as lavender or lemongrass, are recommended. Simply combine 12-15 drops of essential oil with water and spray on your plant. Because the fragrance will dissipate with time, this will have to be done several times over the month.
We advocate using a store-bought spray because it is the most cost-effective and effective.
Ground Coffee
If you’ve read any of my earlier posts, such as are coffee grounds good for Christmas cactus and are coffee grounds good for succulents, you already know how beneficial coffee is to succulents and cacti. But did you know it’s also an excellent cat deterrent?
Coffee grounds will not only deter cats from succulents, but they will also refill the soil and provide much-needed nutrients. However, you should only use this procedure if you’re working with low-acid soil. If your soil is acidic, we recommend utilizing one of the other methods discussed in this article.
Planters for the Wall
Beautiful wall planters may be found in practically any home design store. Geometric wall planters are attractive in any home and may be safely attached to the wall. If you’re thinking about getting a hanging wall planter, we highly advise against it.
Even though the hanging plants are lovely, it doesn’t take much for your cat to scramble up the walls and leap onto them. Your nice hanging plant is all over the floor before you realize it.
Otherwise, your succulents will become etiolated if you do not set your wall planter in a location that receives plenty of sunshine.
Cages
Don’t worry; we’re not talking about pet cages! You may get daring plant cages online, which will produce a striking appearance in your house. Succulents and cacti can be kept together in one cage or kept apart.
Bunny cactus in one cage and a Haworthia plant in another, for example, create a stunning image. You may also buy cages of various sizes and stack them next to one other. This style is both stylish and practical for keeping cats away from succulents. Keeping succulents in cages will give any desk plant or succulent in the office a beautiful touch.
How to keep succulents out of the reach of pets
Prickly Cactus
That’s correct! Thorny and spiky cactus can be used to surround your favorite plants. Cacti have sharp and pointed leaves. They won’t damage your cats or dogs in any way, but if they stick their paws into a cactus, it will give them enough of a shock that they won’t do it again anytime soon!
It’s the ideal protection for your succulent. More houseplants should be placed around your houseplant.
These are our top six tried-and-true ways to keep cats away from succulents. They’re all inexpensive and simple to try at home, so give them a try and let us know what works best for you!
Are there any succulents that are harmful to cats?
It’s quite normal if you’re still unsure about whether or not you should have succulents in your house. Pets are members of the family, and you don’t want them to suffer. There are a few succulents that are completely safe for dogs that we have listed above, but there are many more.
Here are a few dangerous plants to avoid if you’re wondering whether succulents are deadly to cats:
- Adenium
- Agave
- Albuca
- Aloe
- Crassula (Jade)
- Euphorbia
- Kalanchoe
- Ledebouria
- Pachypodium
- Sansevieria
- Senecio
- Cactus
- Cotyledon
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it provides you with a decent idea of which succulents are poisonous to cats. These houseplants should either be avoided or placed in a location where you are certain your pet will not be able to get them.
If you don’t let your dogs in the bedroom, for example, you may start a beautiful succulent garden there. Finally, we’ve figured out how to keep cats away from succulents.
We hope you found this post informative and that you will try out some of the ideas and tactics for keeping cats away from succulents. To summarize the six tested and true strategies we’ve discussed:
- Terrariums
- Sprays
- Ground Coffee
- Planters for the wall
- Cages
- Prickly Cactus
We’re always on the lookout for innovative techniques to keep cats away from succulents. Succulents and pets are both wonderful additions to any home, and you shouldn’t have to pick between the two.