The Monstera is a popular houseplant grown for its pretty leaves, and it is easy to see why these favorite houseplants are also known as the popular Swiss cheese plant. Monstera plants are easy to take care of, making them popular houseplants if you have never grown plants before or want something that doesn’t need too much care.
However, pet owners need to monitor their furry friend. You may have heard about is monstera toxic to cats? Like other houseplants, the Monstera deliciosa and the smaller Monstera adansonii are considered toxic to cats. Because of this, any cat owner should know what happens if their cat eats or even takes an occasional bite of their highly toxic Monstera plant.
In our guide, you can learn more about is monstera toxic to cats and what happens if they eat them. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of are monstera toxic to cats and what the full effects are for your cats eating monstera plants.
What Happens If A Cat Eats Genus Monstera Plants?
The answer to whether is Monstera toxic to cats is sadly a yes. If your pet eats a monstera plant, cat, dogs, and other pets can suffer pain and vomiting if the plant is ingested.
It can also cause your cat’s mouth and esophagus to swell, making it hard for your cat to eat and swallow.
If your cat has damaged foliage of your Monstera plant, take them to the vet as soon as possible. (Read Is Mint Bad For Cats)
Monstera has calcium oxalate crystals that can hurt your cat’s mouth, lips, tongue, and throat.
Luckily, the plant has a bad taste, which is good as most cats only take one bite and decide to stop chewing, although they don’t need large quantities to make them sick.
If your cat ate Monstera leaf, it could show these symptoms:
- Excessive drooling
- Burning sensation and skin irritation of lips, and tongue
- Pawing at their mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting
Why Are Monstera Plants Toxic To Cats?
Calcium Oxalate Crystals regulate calcium levels in the plant’s cells, yet cats and dogs have harm coming if they eat any part of the leaf and ingest any of the plant’s sap.
Sharp, needle-like oxalate and calcium particles. They can cause micro-cuts or become stuck in the mouth, throat, and digestive tissue. These crystals can irritate skin; therefore, wear gloves when pruning monstera.
The monstera plant’s crystals prevent it from being eaten by animals.
The only component of the plant that can be eaten is the ripe fruit. This helps the plant distribute seeds through animals’ digestive tracts.
What Part of Monstera Contains Calcium Oxalate Crystals?
Calcium oxalate crystals exist in most monstera components, including the stems, leaves, roots, and unripe fruit.
All plant components are dangerous to your cat; therefore, keep them away from monstera plants.
If your cat ate a monstera plant, you’d notice it pawing at its mouth or face due to oral irritation. (Read Low Light Plants Safe For Cats)
How Much Monstera Is Toxic To Cats?
It only takes one bite for your cat or other pets to get enough poison to show signs of being poisoned by Monstera, or if you are lucky, it could be absolutely fine.
However, one bite probably won’t kill the cat; the symptoms will worsen the more Monstera plants the cat eats.
Most of the time, Monstera poisoning isn’t fatal unless a lot of the plant is eaten, and most cats won’t eat that much of it because even a small bite can intensify their mouths.
Even though your cat chewing on a Monstera isn’t usually fatal, it’s best to call your vet or poison control as soon as possible for advice. They will point you in the right direction for what is best for your cat.
Is a Mini Monsteras Poisonous To Cats and Dogs?
Mini Monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) plants are poisonous to cats and have the same hard calcium oxalate crystals as the Swiss Cheese plant.
Cats should stay away from Monstera and mini Monstera plants because they are poisonous and can similarly hurt your pets.
The Mini Monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) is in the same family as Monstera, the Araceae family, but it is not a Monstera plant.
The Mini Monstera is smaller and doesn’t make Monstera fruits like the real plant.
Importantly, their leaves are just as poisonous as those of the Monstera plant, and if your cat eats them, it could hurt them.
What Monstera Part Is Toxic To Dogs and Cats?
Monstera leaves and berries contain poisonous calcium oxalate crystals. Cats can rub against and bat at the plant’s leaves.
When they chew it, issues can emerge.
It’s best to keep your cat away from the Monstera Deliciosa plant at all times. Even if your cat has only rubbed against the plant without nibbling, you never know when it will.
All Monstera plant components are poisonous due to insoluble oxalate crystals, which cause kidney stones.
When swallowed in leaves, stalks, roots, flowers, and fruits, the calcium oxalate crystals irritate the tongue and stomach.
Is Monstera Toxic?
All 45 species of Monstera have oxalate crystals that make all parts of the plant poisonous. This includes the leaves, fruits, stems, roots, and flowers.
Besides Monstera deliciosa, most houseplants in the Araceae family also have insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that don’t dissolve.
Here’s a breakdown of the toxicity and what to do:
Level 1 – Major Toxicity:
These plants have the potential to be fatal or seriously ill. If ingested, contact your doctor or the Poison Control Center right once.
Level 2 – Minor Toxicity
Ingesting these plants may result in minor ailments, including vomiting or diarrhea. Level 2 – Minor Toxicity. Call your doctor or the Poison Control Center if you suspect ingestion.
Level 3 – Oxalates:
These plants’ juice or sap contains crystals of oxalate. These needle-shaped crystals can sting and irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, causing swelling in the throat, breathing issues, searing discomfort, and upset stomach when ingested.
If any of these signs emerge after consuming plants, contact your doctor or the Poison Control Center immediately.
Level 4 – Dermatitis Low Toxicity Class:
These plants’ juice, sap, or thorns could irritate or create a rash on the skin. After contact, wash the afflicted skin area with soap and water as soon as possible.
The rashes could be extremely painful. If symptoms develop after coming in touch with the plants, contact your doctor or the Poison Control Center immediately.
Cat-Safe Plants
You might choose cat-safe plants if all of this seems like too much labor or difficulty; that way, you won’t have to worry if your cat takes a bite.
Fortunately, many lovely, low-maintenance plants are also cat-friendly and non-toxic:
Catnip, cat grass, and lemon balm can all be grown and kept in areas where your cat can keep them. They may then stick to the secure, accessible plants and avoid the forbidden ones.
How long does Monstera poisoning last in cats?
Duration depends on how much the cat ingested. In most cases, symptoms fade within a few days, most disappearing within 24 to 48 hours. After consumption, symptoms can last 2 weeks.
Call your vet if your cat develops symptoms for several days, isn’t drinking or eating, or hasn’t used the litter box in 24 hours. Not using the litter box indicates your cat needs to see a vet quickly. (Read Are Peace Lilies Toxic To Cats)
How do I keep my cat from eating my Monstera plants?
- The best way to keep your cat from eating a Monstera plant is to keep it out of reach. Hanging the Monstera in a basket from the ceiling is one way to keep it out of your cat’s reach.
- This is the most reliable way to keep your cat and monstera apart, but it can be difficult if your cat can reach high places.
- If workable, put your plant on a cat-proof shelf or in a hanging basket (for smaller monstera species).
- If your cat can’t jump or go behind a chicken wire barrier, it may prevent access to your plant.
- Keep the plant in a cat-proof room.
- Clear away dropped leaves, so your cat doesn’t eat them.
- Many houseplants, including this one, are harmful to cats and can be challenging to keep out of reach.
- Use citrus fruit as cats hate the smell of lemon and oranges.
- Other deterrents can help keep Monstera adansonii and cats apart.
- Place aluminum foil around the base of your plants.
Alternative Popular Plants For Cats
You’re lucky if you want a houseplant with which pets can live. But, even though the monstera isn’t the best choice, many other houseplants are safe for your furry friends.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are easy-to-care-for, non-toxic houseplants. Cascades work beautifully in hanging baskets or on tall plant stands.
These plants will grow with bright sunshine, warm temperatures, and enough water. In addition, you can use their spiderettes to propagate new plants.
While non-toxic to dogs, cats, and people, some herbs can make cats psychedelic. This won’t hurt your cats, although they may act oddly.
Calathea
The diversified calathea genus houseplant has something for everyone, even your feline friends and other pets.
Calathea plants have patterned leaves. Rattlesnake calathea, pinstripe calathea, and rose-painted calathea are popular houseplants (Calathea roseopicta).
These leaves have beautiful patterns and hues and move in the sun.
If you keep a calathea plant in your home, know that they like high humidity, so dry homes may need humidifiers.
Peperomia
Although there are about 1,500 varieties in the peperomia genus, not all of them are kept as houseplants. However, as soon as you learn more about this group of plants, you’ll fall in love with its voluminous, waxy leaves and assortment of hues.
Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia), trailing jade plant (Peperomia rotundifolia), and watermelon peperomia are a few common varieties of peperomia plants (Peperomia argyreia).
You can be sure your plant is not toxic and safe for your pets, no matter what species you select.
Although there are minor variations between species, wide varieties of peperomia can withstand light drought and moderate humidity. This suggests they might be the ideal plant for a dry home or a forgetful plant owner.
