Are ZZ Plants Toxic To Cats?

If you love plants that are green, then you have probably heard of a ZZ plant. ‘ZZ’ is short for Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, and it is a tropical plant that originated in Eastern Africa.

However, in recent years, this plant has become very popular all over the world as a houseplant. Looking after house plants has become very popular, and many people care for their houseplants as if they were their kids.

However, if you have children or pets (of any kind), keeping houseplants can be difficult. This is primarily because there are a lot of houseplants that are toxic.

ZZ plants are beautiful. But, if you have a pet cat, or a toddler, you might be wondering if this is the safest houseplant to add to your home. Primarily, you are probably wondering if ZZ plants are toxic to cats? Keep on reading to find out. 

What Are ZZ Plants?

As we have said, a ‘ZZ’ plant is a Zamioculcas Zamiifolia plant. These plants originated in Eastern Africa, and they are a member of the tropical perennial family.

However, just because it originated in warm climates, this plant does not need warm weather in order to survive, and this is the main thing that has made it so popular. 

While ZZ plants originated in warmer climates, they can survive in lots of different climates, and they are very tolerant of different conditions.

This tolerance means that they are a plant that is surprisingly easy to keep alive, and this is something that a lot of newer plant owners search for in houseplants. 

But, it isn’t just their high tolerance of weather conditions that make them an attractive plant. ZZ plants are beautiful too. They have naturally shiny green leaves, and this means that they can be added to the decor of most homes without clashing.

As these plants age, they will transform from a pale lime to a dark emerald green, and it is a beautiful process to watch. But are they toxic? Let’s find out.

Are ZZ Plants Toxic To Cats?

Now that we know exactly what a ZZ plant is, let’s take a look at whether, or not, they are toxic to cats. In one word, yes, they are. ZZ plants are poisonous and because of this, they can make your cat seriously ill if they were to consume any of the plant.

This is because it isn’t only the leaves that are poisonous, instead the entire ZZ plant is toxic. So, no part of this plant is safe for consumption. 

With some pets, you will be able to have a ZZ plant. That is because it is possible to simply put your ZZ plant out of reach of some pets, such as dogs.

However, cats can jump and climb, and they are very persistent creatures, so you cannot simply put your ZZ plant out of their reach. Instead, it is much safer to simply not have a ZZ plant at all. 

This can be frustrating, especially if you are specifically looking for a houseplant that is incredibly durable and tough. But, there are plenty of other plants that aren’t toxic to cats out there.

But is it just cats which ZZ plants are toxic to? Or are they dangerous for other animals too? Let’s find out. 

Are ZZ Plants Toxic To Other Animals?

While cats are often more sensitive to toxins than other animals, a poisonous plant typically isn’t only poisonous to cats. For this reason, ZZ plants are not only poisonous to cats but to other pets and humans too.

This means that it isn’t the best idea to have a ZZ plant if you share your home with any pets that have free access to your home. 

While you can minimize the risk by putting the plant out of reach, the only way to remove that risk completely is not to introduce that plant to your home. 

As we have just said, ZZ plants are also poisonous to humans. However, as we said earlier, these plants are only poisonous when consumed, and this is something that humans wouldn’t typically do.

However, if you have a busy toddler, there could be a chance that they might chew on your ZZ plant when you aren’t looking. That is why it is best to really consider your home situation before you add one of these plants to your home. 

But, one of the good things about the toxicity of ZZ plants is that they are only toxic when consumed. So, if you are an adult who lives with other adults, older children/teenagers, or a pet that cannot jump/climb, a ZZ plant would be a safe houseplant to add to your home. 

Can You Keep A ZZ Plant If You Have A Pet Cat?

Of course, there is no rule that prevents you from owning a ZZ plant if you have a pet cat. However, if you have a ZZ plant and a cat in your home, there will always be a risk that your cat could be poisoned by the plant.

While you can take precautions to prevent your cat from accessing that plant (i.e., putting it in a room that is out of bounds), there will always be a risk if you have a ZZ plant in your home. 

Most of the time, we would say that it simply isn’t worth the risk. Cats are persistent creatures, and they typically do things that they aren’t supposed to because it’s simply in their nature.

For this reason alone, we wouldn’t recommend having a ZZ plant in your home if you have a pet cat. 

Houseplants are important, but your cat is so much more important than them, and it isn’t worth risking your cat’s health and life for the sake of a plant. But, ultimately the decision is yours to make. 

Summary

In short, yes, ZZ plants are poisonous to cats when consumed. Not only are they poisonous to cats, but they are toxic to other pets and humans too. So, if you are considering adding one to your home, you really need to weigh up the risks. 

Ultimately, we wouldn’t recommend having a ZZ plant in your home unless your home is pet-free or filled with teenagers and adults, as these plants could pose a risk to curious young children too.