How to Keep Cats Away from Succulents

Are you a succulent lover who also loves pets? Are you wondering whether you can keep them both in your house? This question is a prevalent query among succulent growers.

So, are succulents poisonous to cats? The answer is, not all succulents are toxic to cats. The majority of succulent varieties are, in fact, harmless to your feline pets. However, some succulent plants may be harmful to cats and pets in general when swallowed. Some may also suffer from skin irritations when they come in contact with the sap of the plant.

From what we read above, we already know that some succulents are harmful to pets, so if you are wondering whether the succulent variety that you have is poisonous to your cats, the best thing to do is to look it up.

However, you may have difficulty finding information about a specific succulent variety’s toxicity to cats because of a lack of available data online, especially now that there are already tons of succulent hybrids out there that are not yet well-documented. Some sources may also give you conflicting information, so we recommend that you always verify the reliability of your sources.
If you can’t find a reliable source, we suggest that you proceed with caution. Most certainly, it is not advisable to let your cats eat your succulents, whether or not the plant is toxic to them.

No one knows your cat’s personality better than you, so you will also know whether your pet will love your plant or not. If you just got your pet, it will not take long before you find out what it thinks about your succulents.

Kalanchoe Delagoensis

The Kalanchoe Delagoensis is native to Madagascar. It’s a very invasive plant that you must learn to control how it spreads. It is an upright plant with thin, narrow leaves and orange blooms that can attract anyone’s attention. However, the plant can pose a real threat to pets because of the bufadienolides it contains. Bufadienolides is a toxin that can cause heart failure when ingested. Other symptoms include gastrointestinal irritation, upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Kalanchoe Tomentosa

Make a careful consideration before deciding to include these two succulents in your garden. If you choose to grow and care for them, make sure to keep it out of the reach of your children and pets or keep it behind a small fence. We recommend that you grow it in a container or pot for convenience and safety reasons.

Cage Them

Not your cats, of course, but your plants. You can use wired or metal cages to keep your cats away from your plants, or the other way around. Putting your toxic succulents in a cage ensures that they are protected from the curious paws of your pets, and most importantly, from the hands of your playful toddlers. Using wired cages allows your plant to get the sunlight and air circulation it needs while it’s in a safe spot.

If you don’t like how wired cages will look like in your home, you can use pretty bird cages like this to protect your plants and your pets fashionably.

Keep Your Cats Busy

Cats are curious animals. They are explorers by nature, so we recommend that you provide them with plenty of toys that can entertain them. By keeping them busy, you not only keep them away from your succulents, but you also improve their overall well-being. Here are some ways to keep your cats entertained:

Give them a scratch post. A scratch post is a must for cats. You can provide any spot with a rough surface where your cat can scratch his/her claws. It’s a natural impulse for cats to scratch and claw things, so it also for your best interest to provide your cat with a scratch post to avoid it from scratching your more important things.

Offer them plenty of toys. Cats are very fond of moving toys, so consider giving them a hanging toy. Provide a lot of these toys and spread them around your house to keep your cats busy and entertained. See some of our recommended cat toys here.

Separate Them

If possible, physically separate your plants from your pets by placing your plants somewhere that your cat cannot access. It can be a room that your cat cannot enter but make sure that sunlight still pours in so your plant does not die.

Provide a Plant Exclusively for Your Cat

Luckily, there are plenty of houseplants that your cats can safely enjoy. The goal is to provide them their plant so they leave your succulents alone. The houseplants that most cats love include Cat Grass, Catnip, Catmint, and Boston Fern.

A word of caution though: While these plans are safe for cats, it can cause overstimulation, especially catnip. We recommend that you monitor your cat’s activity the first time you introduce the plant to them.

Grow Plants That Cats Hate

The scent of some plants is repulsive to cats. Place these plants around or beside your succulents to keep succulents away. The plants that cats hate the most are rosemary, citrus, lavender, rue, and the Coleus Canina, also known as the “Scaredy-Cat” plant.”

Use a Natural Cat Repellent Spray

There are natural sprays that can deter cats away. There are a lot of commercial sprays you can purchase online, like this all-natural cat repellent from Critter-Repellent. It’s convenient and safe to use around children because it’s non-toxic.

Don’t Make Your Succulents Too Attractive

Place sticks or skewers around your succulent to prevent your cats from damaging your plants or the soil. You can also put small rocks with sharp edges on the soil to discourage cats from touching your plant.

It can be a challenge to have both cats and succulents in the house, but with the information given above, you can have them safely coexist in your home.

If you need more information about growing and caring for succulents, please visit our website at https://eden-succulents.us7.cdn-alpha.com. We provide comprehensive guides in caring for different succulent varieties. If you can’t find the information you are looking for, please leave a message in the comment box below, and we’ll be happy to provide you with all the answers you might need.