Wild, regal, and dramatic with distinct looks and a tantalizing fragrance, orchids frequently rank among the most gorgeous flowers in the world. These exotic blooms carry a distinct air of mystique that bring elegance and finesse to any home, whether they’re grown in the yard or used as indoor décor.
Many flower enthusiasts consider orchids a must-have in their indoor or outdoor gardens. However, some plant parents are also cat parents, a combination that doesn’t exactly mix at times. Cats are known to graze on all kinds of plants, even ones that may wreak havoc on their tiny bodies. This behavior may make you a little wary of bringing home a brand-new orchid.
The good news is that orchids aren’t poisonous to cats! All species of orchids are considered non-toxic to cats according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). However, there are a few caveats to this statement, so keep reading to find out how to ensure your beloved cat safely co-exists with your beautiful orchid.
Are All Orchids Non-Toxic to Cats?
Most orchid lovers probably won’t settle for just one orchid in their home, so you may be wondering whether the cattleya orchid or boat orchid you’ve had your eye on for a while is safe for your cat.
The quick answer is: yes, it most likely is! All varieties of orchids belonging to the Orchidaceae family are generally harmless to cats. This means that consuming the leaves, stem, or flower of an orchid plant is unlikely to cause any major harm to your cat, unlike the ingestion of poisonous plants that can lead to collapse, coma, and even death.
However, ingesting large amounts of any plant, including orchids, can upset your cat’s stomach and lead to mild symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Some experts also believe that because there are so many modern hybrids of orchids grown today, odds are one of them may carry a gene that causes an adverse reaction in cats.
As such, it’s still best to keep your orchids away from your cat. Make sure to bring her to the vet if her gastrointestinal symptoms persist after ingesting any part of the orchid.
Can Orchids Harm My Cat?
While an orchid plant in and of itself poses little to no threat to your cat’s health, it’s not the only thing you have to be concerned about. Orchid plants are often treated with insecticides or pesticides, and they usually come in pots with potting mixes. Some orchids are also dyed blue.
Dyes, pesticides, and potting mixes range from mildly to severely harmful to cats. Let’s take a closer look at each item and find out why:
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Potting mix
Potting mix is a substrate made from a blend of different ingredients used to grow plants in a pot or a small container. It typically contains the following organic and inorganic components:
Peat moss
By retaining moisture and supplying it to plants when they need it, peat moss helps improve the growth and quality of potted plants. Peat moss is non-toxic to cats, but it may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation when ingested.
Tree bark
Composted or ground tree bark features prominently in most potting mixes, the most common of which is pine bark. While tree bark poses very little threat to cats other than them viewing it as their litter box, felines with pica may consume tree bark and suffer from intestinal blockages as a result.
Perlite, vermiculite, or styrofoam
These three ingredients provide aeration and drainage in potting mixes, helping improve soil quality. Perlite and vermiculite are harmless to cats, although the latter may create a lot of dust that irritates your cat’s lungs.
The real danger among these items is styrofoam, which cats are inexplicably tempted to eat. Ingestion of styrofoam can lead to choking, intestinal blockage, and kidney or liver failure.
Fertilizer
Potting mixes usually come with fertilizers that supply essential nutrients to plants, helping them stay healthy and vigorous. Unfortunately, fertilizers can be quite harmful to cats.
They typically contain fish meal or blood meal as a filler, which can entice cats to consume them. When ingested, fertilizers can cause poisoning in cats, especially if they’ve been treated with chemical insecticides or pesticides.
Symptoms of fertilizer poisoning include:
- Drooling
- Incoordination
- Pain
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Muscle stiffness
- Difficulty breathing
To avoid this, many cat parents opt to use potting mixes with organic fertilizers. However, some organic fertilizers may grow mold and cause mold poisoning.
Bacteria and fungi
Aside from the health risks its ingredients pose to cats, potting mixes also tend to be the ideal environment in which bacteria and fungi thrive. Ingestion or inhalation of these harmful substances can cause serious infections.
Insecticides or pesticides
Like all other plants, orchids are susceptible to developing infestations of bugs, mites, and other insects that can hamper their growth or, in severe cases, kill them. This is why they need insecticide and pesticide treatments for protection.
However, these substances can be extremely dangerous to our feline friends. Ingestion or exposure to insecticides or pesticides can lead to insecticide poisoning. Even all-natural or plant-based products can be toxic to cats.
Symptoms of insecticide poisoning in cats include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Unsteady gait
- Sudden collapse
- Respiratory failure
If your cat has been exposed to insecticides and starts exhibiting any of these symptoms, call the Pet Poison Helpline or take her to the nearest animal hospital immediately.
Dye
Blue orchids possess a luxuriously unique beauty that separates them from other orchids, but they don’t get that way on their own. These orchids are tinted with a special dye that allows them to achieve their distinct blue hue, and this dye can be toxic to cats.
The method for dyeing blue orchids is patented, so the ingredients found in the dye formula are not available to the public. Nevertheless, experts purport that ingestion of blue orchids can lead to irritation of the stomach lining in cats.
Why Is My Cat Eating My Orchid?
While cats are obligate carnivores, they often seek out plants and even flowers as sources of dietary fiber and other nutrients. This is a natural instinct they inherited from their ancestors who lived and foraged for food in the wild. Additionally, cats are simply curious by nature, so your little kitty’s interest may be piqued by the unusual taste and texture of your orchids.
It’s also important to note that cats eating plants can sometimes be a sign of illness. A cat with gastrointestinal issues may have the urge to chew on plants to provide relief for her upset tummy. If your kitty starts to graze or snack on your plants out of nowhere, this behavior may warrant a trip to the vet.
How Do I Keep My Cat Away From My Orchid?
Every cat parent knows that even the tiniest, most adorable fur ball can leave a devastating trail of destruction in her wake—especially when it comes to houseplants. Cats tend to view their owners’ homes as their personal playgrounds, so your kitty may think of your plants as toys she can shred to pieces.
This can be incredibly frustrating when you’ve devoted time and care to your plants’ cultivation.
In addition, ingestion or exposure to certain substances in potted orchids, such as potting mix and fertilizer, can be incredibly dangerous to your cat.
As such, it’s important to take measures to keep your cat away from your orchids. Here are a few easy and effective methods you can try:
Keep your orchids out of your cat’s reach
The easiest way to keep both your kitty and your orchid safe is by putting the latter in a cat-free zone. If you have the space for it, you can set aside a room inside or outside your home specifically for your plants.
If you want to keep your orchid on display in a shared living space, you can put it up high on a wall shelf away from furniture, so your cat won’t be able to jump off chairs or tables in order to reach it. You can also hang your orchid plant on the wall or place it inside a large container, such as a fish tank or a birdcage. Just make sure it gets the sunlight it needs.
Use cat repellents
Cats have an extreme distaste for citrus, so spraying lemon juice mixed with water on your pot may help deter your cat from eating them. Vinegar can also act as a cat deterrent, but it can kill your orchid’s leaves, so make sure to spray it on the pot instead.
Another option you can try is sprinkling cayenne pepper on your potting mix. The smell of this powder is unpleasant to cats, which will help keep them away from your orchid. Some cat parents have also found that rosemary helps repel cats, so you can sprinkle the herb around your orchid or place a pot of rosemary beside your orchid.
If you’re reluctant to use substances your cat can ingest or get all over its paws, you can try laying down aluminum foil around your orchid plant, as cats famously hate its sound and texture.
Add pinecones or pebbles to the pot
Cats may be attracted to your orchid’s potting mix because it’s easy to dig and use as litter. Adding pebbles above the soil can help discourage digging and still allow you to water your plant properly.
Other more decorative items you can add to repel cats include pinecones and seashells.
Give your cat a plant pot of her own
Doing this can help distract her and make eating or playing with other plants less desirable to her. You can grow catnip or cat grass in a pot, but make sure to monitor and limit her consumption.
Which Flowers Are Poisonous to Cats?
Not all flowering plants are safe for cats like orchids. The most common flowers that are toxic to cats include:
- Amaryllis
- Azaleas
- Chrysanthemums
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Hydrangeas
- Lilies
- Oleanders
- Tulips
In Closing
If your cat has munched on a few of your orchid blooms, there’s no need to worry. Orchids are usually non-toxic to cats, and ingestion of these flowers will not result in anything more serious than an upset stomach for a few hours. However, if your cat has consumed blue orchids, the potting mix of your orchid plant, or any part of the plant treated with insecticides, take her to the vet right away.
Keeping your orchid plant away from your cat is still important to ensure their safety. By following a few steps to help distract or ward off your kitty, you can enjoy being both a plant parent and a cat parent to the fullest!