Pets can be a rewarding addition to any home, yet not all things are straightforward. Cats are naturally curious animals, and one way they satiate their curiosity is by chewing everything they come across.
Cats are obligate carnivores, although they can consume some plants and foliage in the wild to supplement diets or because they enjoy the flavor. When they do it at home, it could appear that your feline friend is trying to make your life more difficult, but maybe they are simply bored and need entertainment.
Alternatively, they might assume some plants can fill a nutritional gap in their diet, or your curious kittens love the taste of your plant. Like many other pet owners, it is your duty to ensure your cat isn’t being harmed by the ferns and other plants it eats.
The common majesty palm, also known as the majestic palm from the Ravenea rivularis Family, is a hugely popular stemless plant. So, with this, you may wonder, is Majesty Palm toxic to cats? Luckily, you’ll discover your Majesty’s palm safe for cats, although they could get a stomach upset if they chew too much.
In our guide, you can learn more about the care of your Majesty’s palm; cats can take a shine to them, so you can see how to deter them. By the end, you’ll see how to stop any animal from eating your palm, which other plants are harmful to your cat’s health, and care for your indoor tree. (Read Low Light Indoor Plants Safe For Cats)
Household Plants That Are Dangerous to Cats
Although the majesty palm is non-toxic and regarded as safe for cats, several other house plants could harm your feline friend, including:
1. Peace Lilies
The peace lily is a common indoor plant with long, white blossoms and dark leaves. They are particularly common around Easter and don’t require much care and attention to grow effectively.
However, although being safe for cats to touch and rub against, some plants contain calcium oxalates. These cannot be fully digested, and if your cat consumes one, it will suffer from oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and trouble breathing and swallowing.
2. Aloe Vera
This can seem unusual because the chemical is present in certain cat-related products. It is also odd because most of us know that the gel inside the stems offers many medical benefits and is safe for most animals and humans.
Aloe vera is unsafe for cats to eat as they can become listless from eating the stems and exposed to the saponins, leading to diarrhea and vomiting.
3. Jade Plants
Money plants, also known as jade plants, are simple to grow and are said to offer good fortune in the form of material success to people who maintain them.
However, cats who eat money plants do not become wealthy. The dark leaves of this succulent are more likely to be the source of illness, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea if eaten.
4. Sago Palm
Although all indoor palms are non-toxic, the majesty palm is not. The sago palm is a prime example of this. The plant-like fronds and substantial bulbs that protrude from the ground at the base of sago palm trees make them a striking focal point in any room.
Sago palms are said to be highly toxic to cats, and the cycasin they contain in the stems causes vomiting and diarrhea but can be fatal.
Is a Majesty Palm Toxic to Cats?
The majesty palm is not one of the many indoor plants that can be toxic to cats. This attractive plant could be an excellent substitute for other popular houseplants like aloe vera and peace lilies, which are thought to be very toxic and possibly dangerous to your feline friend, so it is non-toxic and safe for any pet, such as cats and dogs.
No harm will come to your cat if they decide to eat the green fronds or the sturdy stem. A slight risk of harm exists if excessive quantities of the thin, fibrous fronds are eaten.
The fronds can be a challenge for your cat’s digestive system to break down, so they can upset their stomach and cause them to feel queasy, possibly causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Large quantities can also group together and perhaps result in a blockage in the digestive system. However, this risk is minimal because it is unlikely that a cat would be eating such large amounts of the palm. (Read Is Anthurium Toxic To Cats)
Why Does A Cat Eat Houseplants?
It can be stressful for cat owners to keep their cats away from their plants. You may wonder why your pet is so intent on chewing your plants. Like the Majesty Palm, many plants have long, dangling leaves that sway in the slightest breeze. Such plants are a novelty; your cats love to play with them.
How To Keep Cats Out Of Plants
It doesn’t matter if you have toxic plants for cats, or others, such as the Bunny Cactus used as a scratching post; you may want to stop your cats from playing with them.
Here are some ways to deter your pets from being interested in your houseplants.
1. Cat Grass
If your cat doesn’t leave your plants alone, you can use another piece of foliage as a “plant sacrifice.”
Grow catnip, cat grass, and lemon balm, which are excellent examples of cat-safe plants that cats adore and could present a distraction from your prized houseplants.
2. Cat Deterrents
Making your plant unpleasant to eat will deter your cat from attacking it. You can find several safe deterrents to use indoors, available from plant stores, and are most often sold as a deterrent for outside to prevent cat spoilage in garden beds.
Cats may avoid plants if getting to them causes discomfort. Pinecones, aluminum foil, and double-sided tape are options you can spread around.
3. Plant Location
Maintaining their separation is a sure way to keep your plant and cat safe. You might think about hanging toxic plants from high places or storing your Majesty palms in an inaccessible room. Terrariums or plant cages are further options.
4. Use Citrus Fruit Skins
Cats don’t enjoy citrus fruits like grapefruits, limes, lemons, and oranges. So simply spread peels around the plant to deter your cats or another pet animal from eating your palms.
What Happens If My Cat Eats My Majesty Palm?
No significant harm will result if a cat eats a majesty palm tree. One plant that does well indoors is the majesty palms. Typically, it has no adverse effects, and unlike other palm trees, they lack spines that could penetrate their skin if the cats come into contact with them.
As a result, no issues with majesty palms in cats occur from contact, and they are not poisonous.
If the cat eats more majesty palms leaves, he may have nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, there is little harm that the majesty palm will hurt the cat because it is non-toxic. (Read Is Mint Safe For Cats)
How To Care For Your Majesty Palm Tree?
By using the following advice, you can effortlessly take care of your majesty palms:
- The Majesty palm’s root ball needs a big pot to fit it in and keep everything balanced.
- To thrive, it prefers both well-draining soil and loose, fertile soil.
- Bright light to medium sunlight provides the ideal lighting. A few feet distance from direct sunlight in a window facing east or south should be plenty.
- If you don’t have access to a sunny window, a grow light is a great alternative. This one is flexible and capable of holding various-sized plants.
- Till the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch, let the soil gradually dry between waterings. Of course, every home will have a different watering home, but you should water your majesty palm at the very least once a week.
- Apply a balanced fertilizer every two to three months during the active growing season.
- Keep the room’s temperature between 65- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit. Then, your majesty’s palm is undoubtedly at ease with the surrounding conditions.
- For shape or health, pruning is not required. However, dried-out or yellow fronds can be cut off.
- Usually, your majesty palm grows quickly from spring to fall, from April to September, before going dormant from October to March. Therefore, cut back on your watering frequency by about half during winter dormancy, and wait until the spring growing season to fertilize.
- Repotting needs to be done every two years, ideally in the spring or early summer. First, replace the old pot with a new one with enough drainage holes, which is about 2 inches bigger in diameter.
- To replicate its natural habitat in a humid home, think about spraying your majesty palm or using a plant humidifier.
What is another plant type poisonous to cats and dogs?
There are about 500 plant species, many of which have been cultivated as houseplants, primarily Dieffenbachia and Philodendrons. The always well-liked Monstera Deliciosa is one of them. They, unfortunately, endanger both pets and humans. This is because they produce calcium oxalates, which are toxins, in their leaf sap.
As a result, tiny, spiky structures called raphides are created. Dumb Cane and Mother-in-Tongue may exhibit this chemical’s effects. Mother In Law’s if ingested, the substance will cause slight tongue and esophageal swelling, irritation, and abrasions.
In the worst-case scenario, this could result in a respiratory crisis and difficulty breathing for animals and humans.
Final Thoughts: Majesty Palms A Good Plant For Cats and Dogs?
It’s crucial to remember that this guideline does not simply apply to your home; if your cat ever escapes, you should also avoid planting toxic plants in your garden.
With the word “palm tree” used to describe those with stems, palms can grow as shrubs, trees, climbers, or stemless plants. Palm palms are evergreens and are flowering plants from the tropics and subtropics. (Read Can A Peace Lily Kill A Cat)
These plants are safe to have around any pet, be it dogs, cats, or another pet type. The palm can transform your home; you don’t need to do too much to stop your cats from nibbling or scratching at the palm leaves to maintain their appearance.
