Are Christmas Cactus Poisonous To Cats?

House plants are a beautiful way to add natural decor to your home. A house plant can make your home feel really cozy, especially during the autumn and winter months.

But, if you are a cat owner, then you will know that adding houseplants to your home cannot be something that you do spontaneously. That is because a lot of plants are actually poisonous to cats. 

As a lot of plants are poisonous to cats, it is very important that you do your research, and take care when adding a new plant to your home. Especially if your cat is a curious cat (like many), who likes to chew on plants. 

One plant that you might have considered adding to your home is a Christmas cactus, and it is easy to see why because these plants are truly beautiful. But are they poisonous to cats? Find out in this guide.

What Is A Christmas Cactus?

First things first, let’s take a look at what a Christmas Cactus is. If you haven’t heard of a Christmas Cactus before, then you probably have all sorts of ideas swirling around in your head about what a Christmas cactus might be.

You are probably picturing a cactus that looks like a mini-Christmas tree, but this isn’t the case. 

A Christmas cactus is a member of the cactus family that flowers in the winter (hence why it is known as a Christmas cactus). Naturally, these plants grow in the coastal mountains of Brazil.

But in recent years they have become incredibly popular as a houseplant to add to your home. But, if you have seen a Christmas cactus before, then you will know that it is very different to what you picture in your head when you hear the word ‘cactus’. 

When you picture a cactus, you probably think of a green, spiky plant that can often have a questionable shape. But a Christmas cactus looks nothing like this.

Instead, it looks more like a bunch of flowers, which of course increases the chance of your cat chewing on the plant. But is it poisonous? Let’s find out. 

Are Christmas Cactus Poisonous To Cats?

If you have a cat, then you will be really happy to hear that Christmas cacti are not poisonous to cats. This means that you can add a Christmas cactus to your home, safe in the knowledge that it is not dangerous for your cats.

Likewise, these plants are also not toxic for dogs either. This means that it is perfectly safe to add a Christmas cactus to your home, no matter what animals you share it with. 

Christmas cacti are available in different colors, with the flowers of the plants changing color depending on the specific cactus that you buy.

With some plants, some colors are poisonous while others are not. However, with Christmas cacti, it doesn’t matter what color your cactus is, it will always be safe for cats. 

But it is important to remember that just because a Christmas cactus is not poisonous to cats, this doesn’t mean that it won’t make your cat ill. If your cat chews and eats a lot of the leaves of your Christmas cactus.

Then it could cause stomach upset (including vomiting and diarrhea). This is because the leaves and flowers of a Christmas cactus are full of fiber, and this can overload your cat’s stomach. However, it will not be poisonous to them. 

Why Aren’t They Poisonous?

It is difficult to say what the reason behind Christmas cacti is not being poisonous to cats, but it is primarily because these plants do not contain any toxins.

Toxins in plants are dangerous to any animal that comes into contact with them (this is why some plants are poisonous to humans). However, cats are more susceptible to toxins because of their genetic design. 

When you take in toxins, it is your liver’s responsibility to filter them, and to prevent you from becoming ill. Your liver is able to do this because it contains multiple enzymes.

However, a cat’s liver contains much less enzymes than a human. Due to this, they are less able to filter toxins when they take them in. This means that your cat is more likely to suffer health issues as a result of these toxins than you are. 

The fact that cats have fewer liver enzymes means that they are a lot more sensitive to toxins and chemicals. This is why you have to be very careful with everything that you expose your cat to.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the Christmas house plants that are poisonous to cats. 

Some Plants That Are Poisonous To Cats

While Christmas cacti are not poisonous to cats, there are plenty of seasonal Christmas plants that are poisonous to cats. So, if you are thinking of adding additional Christmas plants to your home, these are some plants to avoid if you have a pet cat. 

One of the most seasonal Christmas plants that are poisonous to cats is mistletoe. This plant has become a trademark of the holidays, and many people add it to their home as an area for couples to go.

But mistletoe is actually very toxic to cats, and it can lead to hallucinations, seizures, reduced blood pressure, and even death if ingested. Another trademark seasonal plant that can have the same effect is holly. 

Additionally, some other plants that you may have considered adding to your home at Christmas are lilies, Jerusalem Cherry, and a real fir Christmas tree.

However, if you have a pet cat, you should think again before adding any of these plants to your home because they are all deadly to cats. However, if you want to add a real fir Christmas tree to your home, you can do so as long as you block it off from your cat.

Summary

In short, no, Christmas cacti are not poisonous to cats. So, if you want to add one to your home this holiday season you can do it, without worrying about your cat’s health being affected.

However, if you are considering adding mistletoe, holly, or lilies to your home, you should think again because these are incredibly poisonous to cats.