Cats have been a part of our lives for millions of years. We have tailored our lifestyles to keep our cats happy and comfortable. Though most pet owners try to keep their pets out of harm’s way, it can be exceptionally difficult when it comes to stealthy cats. Cats seem to know what they aren’t allowed to do, and they go out of their way to do it. This includes taste-testing toxic items they find in our homes, like plants.
What is Monstera?
Monstera is a trendy large, leafed plant native to Mexico, Central and South America. Its unique Swiss-cheese-like leaves add a stylish touch to any decor. In fact, this plant is a split-leafed philodendron. Monstera has a unique way of growing in the lush jungles because it is a hemiepiphyte, meaning it begins the growing cycle high in the rainforest canopy, and the roots eventually find their way to the ground below. It can grow to 70 feet tall in the jungle and produces fruit.
The large leaves in the jungle can reach 36 inches long and 24 inches wide. Most houseplants will have leaves closer to 24 inches by 12 inches. The leaves are thick and glossy. The plant does not have holes in the leaves when it is young. As it ages and the leaves grow, symmetrical holes appear, giving it the name Swiss-cheese plant. The Monstera will remain small in your home and not produce fruit. However, there are other fruits your cat can enjoy.
How Dangerous is Monstera When it Comes to Cats?
Monstera is in the arum (Araceae) family, along with all philodendrons, lilies, and other plants that are harmful to felines. The family is composed of 59 different species of Monstera. Although arums are all toxic to cats, some are more toxic than others. Lilies are highly toxic to cats, but some philodendrons aren’t as harmful. Monstera contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, like every plant in the arum family. The crystals are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, though sometimes they can also cause dermatitis if the animal rubs against the plant, getting the crystals on its skin.
If your cat eats some of your plants, it will initially feel an immediate burning sensation in their mouth, followed by excessive drooling, a painful mouth and throat, and vomiting. Though it is unlikely that Monstera will kill your cat, it’s still a miserable experience. Luckily, the crystals are only irritants and not toxic, so kidney or liver damage is not an issue. Because of the immediate burning sensation, cats tend to only take one nibble before realizing they’ve made a terrible mistake. Most cats only have a mild to moderate reaction, though severe cases have been recorded when the irritation attacks the throat, making it difficult to swallow and breathe. These crystals are actually the monstera plant’s way of protecting itself from predators. The fruit is safe and does not contain calcium oxalate crystals.
What to Do If Your Cat Ingests Monstera
It’s happened, your beloved cat ate some of your monstera plants. The first step is to remove the plant from where the cat can reach it. Then it’s crucial that you rinse your cat’s mouth with water to get as many of the crystals off, then get your cat to drink some water. Call your vet, and if this happens to be an after-hours emergency, go to the nearest emergency vet. It may be costly, but it’s your best bet for helping your cat quickly. Having pet insurance can help you save money on vet trips.
Monstera plants look inviting to cats, but it is important to keep them away from them. Most cats that nibble on a monstera leaf stop once the oral burning sensations begin, but every now and then, a cat will consume a large quantity of the plant. If this happens, the danger increases, and vet care needs to be imminent. Large quantities of Monstera could potentially damage your cat’s kidneys, which can be fatal on rare occasions. You certainly don’t want your cat to be the one this happens to.
Try These Great Cat-Approved Houseplants Instead of Monstera
It can seem like danger lurks around every corner of your home,e just waiting to harm your cat. Oil diffusers, plants, food, lotions, and so much more can cause issues for our felines. As their “parent,” it is up to you to keep the little fuzzballs safe. Before adding any plants to your home, be sure to look up whether or not they are toxic to cats. There are plenty out there that are perfectly safe and popular as a houseplant, like the spider plant. Another option is to purchase your cat their very own cat-plant.
Many pet stores carry cat grass in small containers. They are easy to care for and, with the proper care, can last a long time. The grass may be rye, barley, oat, or wheat, with very fine blades of grass which are easily digestible for your little tiger. Cats love to eat grass because it harbors a great deal of benefits for their digestive tract. It can also help your cat cough up hairballs, which can sometimes become difficult to remove.
Grass is filled with fiber and water, which is good news for your cat. It’s possible that by gifting your cat its own grass plant, they might leave your plants alone entirely. Curiosity can sneak in and take over a cat’s mind quickly; we all know some of their courageous quests are terrible ideas. Keep your cat’s bad ideas in check by offering them plenty of safe enrichment to occupy their minds and satisfy their curiosity. Cats can live up to 25 years, and one way to ensure they have a high quality of life is to offer different forms of enrichment, such as cat grass.
