It’s difficult, if not impossible, to be a pet owner and a houseplant enthusiast at the same time. This is because you will find numerous low-maintenance house plants with lovely aesthetics for home décor that you will be unable to carry home since they are not pet-safe. Monstera is one of my favorite houseplants since it has beautiful tropical foliage and requires little upkeep.
It may also naturally filter the air by trapping contaminants and dust. This is completely safe to touch, but if your pets ingest it, they may become poisonous. However, this does not rule out the possibility of keeping Monstera plants and pets together. I’ve had this plant in my house for about five years and have kept it under control with the help of my cats.
Monstera Plant & Pets
In this tutorial, I’ll cover all you need to know about Monstera toxicity and how to manage with its cohabitation with pets in the home.
Is Monstera Toxic to Dogs and Cats?
The Monstera plant is not dangerous, however ingesting the leaves or any other part of the plant is extremely harmful to cats and dogs. Because the plant has a significant amount of insoluble calcium oxalates, it is harmful to cats and dogs. When a pet eats insoluble claim oxalate, it forms needle-like crystals that become stuck in their mouth cavity.
Symptoms To Look For
Because calcium oxalate is located in the needle-like crystals that embed into the skin and oral cavity when animals ingest Monstera, the first and most noticeable symptom is restlessness caused by excruciating pain and mouth burning.
When a large quantity of plant is consumed, it can cause severe symptoms such as profuse drooling, swelling of the tongue, swelling and choking in the throat, and even vomiting once it enters the stomach. You may notice blood in the vomit if the dog or cat consumes large bits of plant.
Are Monstera Plants Safe for Dogs and Cats to Eat?
Monstera plants, as we all know, produce needle-like crystals of claim oxalate, which may be harmful to both dogs and cats. But, more importantly, do they eat this plant? When dogs have a troubled stomach or throat discomfort, they can devour houseplants, especially monstera. If your dog has the flu, they may consume plants to help with the sore throat and mucous removal.
Cats come in a variety of personalities and are interested about whatever you bring home. Cats are attracted to plants with large tropical foliage. When cats are bored, they like to snuggle up with the soft plants. Because these plants are so appealing to cats, there’s a danger they’ll bite them.
Because the first bite of these plants causes a stinging sensation, there is little probability of ingestion or a second bite. If a dog’s stomach is unsettled, it can bite and even consume a significant amount of Monstera Plant, unlike cats.
Treatment
If you see indications of a serious disease in your dog or cat, you must get medical help right once. It would be beneficial if you contacted a veterinarian right away. When you tell them about your pet’s illness, they may prescribe an antidote or request that you induce vomiting. Never force your pet to vomit or provide any medication without first consulting your veterinarian.
If your pet eats a big amount of plants, its esophagus may be damaged, resulting in bleeding. This is a life-threatening condition, and you should take your pet to a nearby animal hospital immediately. If your veterinarian advises you to induce vomiting, choose the safest approach for both the dog and yourself. Giving dogs and cats three percent hydrogen peroxide is the most effective approach to make them vomit.
The amount of hydrogen peroxide used should be according to the prescription, and your pet should never be overdosed. You can use a physical approach if you don’t have hydrogen peroxide on hand, but it’s a bit risky. To stimulate the gag reflex, carefully place your finger down the throat.
What Can We Do If Our Pets Eat Monstera Plants?
Treatment is considerably more difficult and dangerous than preventing your cats and dogs from eating monstera plants. Here are a few strategies I use to keep my monstera plants and dogs in check at home.
Keep the monster plant out of your cats’ and dogs’ reach. The pot may be placed on a table or a shelf.
Pebbles may be used to surround the plants in the opt. When the pets jump into the pot, they will feel uneasy and will strive to keep away.
Cats and dogs can be deterred using vinegar and rubbing alcohol. However, because these compounds are not safe for plants, spraying them on them is not suggested. Instead, soak a piece of linen or coffee filters in these liquids to make scented stacks. These stacks should be placed near the houseplants.
You may educate your pets not to touch or eat houseplants if you have a tiny home or yard and can’t locate a suitable location for the plant.
You may easily teach the dogs by yelling “No” whenever they try to bite the plants. However, training cats in this manner is more difficult since it makes them even more interested.
Citrus is disliked by both cats and dogs. As a result, the orange and lemon peel may be added to the saucepan. You may also use diluted orange or lemonade juice to spray the plant leaves.
Cayenne pepper has a strong odor that cats dislike. To deter your cats from devouring your houseplants, put cayenne pepper around them.
Related Monstera Plant Articles: How to Propagate a Monstera | How to Prune a Monstera
FAQs
Is Monstera capable of killing a cat?
The Monstera plant is very poisonous to cats, although it does not kill them. Monstera plants produce calcium oxalate crystals that are insoluble and can harm a cat’s mouth, throat, and stomach. If a cat consumes a significant part of plant and you don’t seek medical help right away, it might result in death.
Is it necessary to spray my Monstera?
Yes, you should spray a monstera plant to keep it looking fresh throughout the year. It is suggested that you spray the plant with citrus essential oil to keep your cats and dogs away from it.
Will cats avoid poisonous plants?
Cats enjoy nibbling on plants and will bite them if they become bored. You may keep them away from poisonous plants by keeping potted plants on tables and shelves out of reach of cats. Citrus smells bad to plants, so sprinkle diluted orange or lemonade juice on them to keep them away from poisonous plants.
What are the advantages of growing a Monstera plant?
Monstera plants are noted for their ability to cleanse the air. Impurities and dust are trapped by Monstera plants, making the interior environment better for you. These plants also have lovely tropical foliage and need the least amount of upkeep, making them an excellent choice for home decor.
What odors make dogs flee?
Dogs are put off by the smells of chili pepper, citrus, and ammonia. These items can be used to keep your pets away from poisonous plants such as Monstera.
Is vinegar a dog repellent?
Dogs despise the scent of vinegar and will not approach it. Vinegar, on the other hand, may be toxic to indoor plants, therefore it’s not a good idea to use vinegar to keep your dog away from them.
Conclusion
Monstera Plant benefits you by naturally cleaning your air and requires minimal upkeep and care. If swallowed, it is harmful to your dogs and cats, much like many other houseplants. You can simply protect your dogs from eating these plants with a little care and tarring. I’m hoping that after reading this instruction, you’ll be able to take care of your monstera plants and animals.
