Are Spider Plants Toxic to Your Cats?
Spider plants (Chlorophytum) are popular and beginner-friendly houseplants. They are easy to repot, and you can even grow them in water.
They are known for their ability to purify the air, attractive, long leaves, and baby spider plants hanging from long stems.
If you have or plan to get Spider plants, you might be worried that they are toxic to your cats.
While spider plants are generally pretty safe and on the list of plants safe for cats, it's important to understand the potential risks to keep your cat safe and healthy.
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Are Spider Plants Save for Cats?
1. Are Spider Plants Toxic to Cats?
Nopes.
According to the ASPCA, Spider plants are considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets.
If your pet eats a part of the plant, they're unlikely to experience any adverse effects.
2. Why do Cats Like Spider Plants?
Inside cats rarely have the space and freedom of outside cats to roam around and nibble on grass.
For housecats without outside roaming privileges, houseplants may be the closest thing they can get to fresh greens.
And your Spider plant looks a lot like grass.
Not only that, the long leaves and baby spider plants most likely tickle their curiosity. What cat doesn't enjoy playfully swatting at a hanging object in front of its face?
While spider plants are safe for pets to ingest, other common household items, such as potting soil or fertilizer, can be harmful.
In general, it's always a good idea to stop your pets from chewing on indoor plants, especially if you're unsure what chemicals were used on them.
3. Are Spider Plants Hallucinogenic to Cats?
Studies have found that this plant does, indeed, cause a mild hallucinogenic effect on felines.
It's a milder version of catnip, which might be another reason your cat may become slightly obsessed with your Spider plants.
The hallucinogenic effect is said to be harmless.
4. What are the Symptoms of Cats Eating Spider Plants?
As mentioned, your cat might experience a mildly hallucinogenic episode if they've chewed on a few leaves.
Your cats' digestive systems aren't adapted to eating large quantities of leafy greens or vegetable matter. As a result, some pets may experience digestive issues if they consume large amounts of the Spider plant.
This can cause symptoms such as:
upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea
This in itself isn't dangerous for your cat, but it can be uncomfortable. Monitor your cat's symptoms and call your local vet if your cat is having a severe reaction. It could be that your cat has eaten another plant, or the fertilizer or pesticide used on your plants is causing an adverse reaction.
And to state the obvious - make sure your cat doesn't eat more of the plant.
5. Will your Spider Plant Grow Back After your Cat has Eaten it?
It depends on how much havoc your cat has wreaked.
If Kitty chewed on a few leaves - the leaves won't grow back, but your plant will produce new leaves eventually.
If your cat dug up the plant and there are still roots and leaves left - repot your Spider plant and water as usual.
Your Spider plant will probably survive.
If the pot was pushed to the floor in the usual feline mischief - repot and water as usual.
If your plant was out of the ground for a long time, you might be unable to save it.
6. How to Stop Your Cats from Eating Spider Plants
Even though your Spider plant is safe for your cat to chew on, you don't want your beloved plants devoured. You also don't want your cat obsessing over your plant, leaving chaos in its wake trying to get more of it.
Here are some tips for taking your Spider plants off the menu:
Hang your plants in baskets. Ensure your cats can't reach them or be tempted to make a running leap for glory.
Don't hang plants near furniture your cats can use as a launch pad. Secure the baskets firmly to the ceiling should your cat try to use them as a hanging chair; they won't fall from the ceiling.
Keep your plants in a room where your cat doesn't often go or isn't allowed. Keep the door closed.
Spider plants do well in bathrooms where I'm sure your cat doesn't spend a lot of time.
Mix water with lemon or lime and spray it on your plants. The taste and smell of citrus will deter your cats from coming near your plant.
Other smells cats hate are lavender, rosemary, pepper, mint, and eucalyptus, to name a few. Find a way to add these around your Spider plants, and you won't find your cat near them.
Make sure your cat isn't bored. Instead, provide lots of stimulation and entertainment.
Play with your cat to get rid of its energy, and it'll be too tuckered out to bother with your plants.
Grow indoor grass specifically for your cat to chew on.
There are many options to grow plants specifically for cats from seeds at home. Not only will your cat enjoy chewing on these, but you might also find a new hobby and start growing your produce at home!
The Bottom Line
Spider plants are generally considered a safe choice for pet owners, even when your cat takes a chance and chews on a leaf or two. Since cats aren't herbivores, they might get an upset stomach when they eat a big chunk of your Spider plant, but nothing to be worried about. To be safe, keep an eye on your pets near any houseplant, and you'll enjoy the best of your plants and pets.