Do you want African Violets around your home but fear that they’re poisonous to your kitties? Good news! African violets are 100% non-toxic to dogs and cats.
However, as cat owners, we know that learning this information is only the first step. Cats like to munch on our plants when we’re not looking, so keeping our precious plants away from our furry friends is the biggest challenge.
Let’s take a closer look at African Violets and what you can do to keep your kitty away from your plants.
What Happens if a Cat Eats an African Violet?
The ASPCA considers African Violets (Saintpaulia spp.) as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and even horses.
When the ASPCA considers a plant toxic, it usually means that the plant causes moderate to intense gastrointestinal (GI) upset. The plant could also be fatal, depending on the type of plant and how much your cat eats.
Some non-toxic plants can still cause GI upset in kitties. Usually, these symptoms are mild, so you shouldn’t worry too much.
African Violets also go by the name Cape Marigold. Marigolds are toxic to cats, but you don’t need to worry about Cape Marigolds specifically, despite the confusing name.
Thankfully, African Violets are generally easy to grow. So, if your cat does eat some of the flowers, give your plant some time and the flowers will bloom again.
How Do You Keep Cats Away From African Violets?
This is a question asked by cat owners all over the world. How in the world do you keep your cat away from your plants?
It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible either. The trick is getting creative and knowing your cat’s quirks.
Hanging baskets are the best option for plant lovers. Hanging your plants keeps your kitty away from them and gives you a chance to grow the plants you want to grow. Remember that cats like to climb, so put your greenery in a space that is difficult for your cat to reach.
Another great way to keep your cat away from your African Violets is to entice your cat toward cat-friendly plants. Creating a cat-friendly garden is so much fun because both you and your furry friends reap the benefits.
Some wonderful plants for a cat garden include:
- Catnip
- Cat Grass
- Cat thyme
- Parsley
- Dandelion root
- Oregano
- Wheatgrass
- Valerian
- Spider plant
What Plants Are Poisonous to Cats?
We can’t finish this post without mentioning some plants you should keep away from your cat.
Luckily, the list of toxic plants for cats is small. Plenty of alternatives exist if you have to switch one out for a non-toxic variety.
Here are some toxic plants that you should never allow your cat to go near:
- Lilies
- Ivy
- Aloe
- Autumn Crocus
- Azaleas and Rhododendrons
- Tulips and Hyacinth
- Cyclamen
- Delphinium
- Daisies
- Dieffenbachia
- Oleander
- Kalanchoe
- Sago Palm
- Dianthus
- Larkspur
All these plants are common house plants that could harm your cat, so keep your cat away from these plants as best as you can!
Final Thoughts
As pet owners, we have to be extremely careful about the type of plants and flowers that we bring into our homes. Thankfully, the African Violet isn’t one of them. These beautiful rainforest flowers can live happily on your windowsill, and you can sleep soundly knowing it’s safe around your cat.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
