The Marantaceae family includes roughly 300 plant species that are native to tropical America under the genus name Calatheas, also known as the Calathea genus. Their lovely foliage and vibrant inflorescences make them ideal house pot plants.
Along with Calathea, other genera in the Marantaceae family that are grown indoors include Stromanthe, Maranta, and Ctenanthe.
Is Calathea harmful to cats?
Calathea is not poisonous to cats. If you enjoy these houseplants, you’ll be happy to know that all species and cultivars of calatheas are safe for cats.
In this article, we will look at the relationships between cats and calathea and how they can live together peacefully.
Calathea: What Is It?
The Calathea genus belongs to the Marantaceae family of flowering plants. The Calathea plant and its cousins are commonly referred to as prayer plants.
200 or so species that were once classified as Calathea have been changed to Goeppertia. Currently, there are over 60 species of Calathea. Many of the species are well-liked as pot plants due to their lovely leaves and, occasionally, bright inflorescences.
Native to the subtropical Americas, they. A variety of invertebrates can find a home in phytotelmata, which are little water pools that can be found in young leaves and bracts.
The leaves of calathea are typically large and vividly colored. Pink, orange, red, and white are only a few of the vivid colors of variegated leaves that are widespread.
On the underside, their leaves often have a purple hue. During the night, the leaves fold. In an effort to catch the rising sun, the leaves spread out in the morning.
A tiny junction between the stem and the leaf known as a pulvinus permits this phenomenon, also known as nyctinasty.
Calathea flowers bloom in the summer and come in a range of hues, such as yellow, purple, and white.
The asymmetrical form of the flowers is composed of three petals and three free sepals. Calathea typically has bracts that are more beautiful than the blossoms.
Are Cats Poisoned By Calathea?
Calathea does not poison cats. The common Calathea zebrina and Calathea compact star as well as the more unusual Calathea triostar offer no threat to your cherished feline friend.
This suggests that you can use Calathea as an office plant if you have a cat and work from home, reaping the advantages of working with houseplants while still being surrounded by lush evergreen foliage.
You may have questioned if calathea is safe for cats if you have one of these attractive plants in your home.
Because the calathea tree is free of any harmful or irritating elements, your cat won’t get hurt if they eat it, brush against it, or interact with it in any other way. The USDA claims that the calathea is harmless to both cats and people.
The only thing that will be harmed by your cat biting your plant to the bone is its beauty. Calathea is not toxic, poisonous, or hazardous to animals, therefore it doesn’t hurt cats, dogs, or horses.
Although it is not dangerous, if your cat eats a lot of its leaves, it could lead to stomach issues.
Is Calathea Cat Friendly?
Calathea is indeed cat-friendly. On the other hand, these species typically eat only a tiny amount of grass. Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised if you see your cat eating it.
A calathea does not poison any kind of cats. On the other hand, cats are careless when it comes to climbing trees. The thrones and foliage can also be torn to pieces.
Given that calathea does not produce any harmful substances in this situation, cats are safe. On the other side, eating the leaves could be unhealthy for one’s health. Calathea has no effect on cats because it is non-toxic.
The string of hearts is one of the plant species that has been shown to be safe for both cats and people. You can keep them at home to improve the interior’s aesthetic appeal. You can also incorporate it into your family’s garden at the same time.
Calathea doesn’t poison cats. On the other hand, your calathea might have been harmed by cats. Calathea doesn’t have any potentially dangerous compounds like aloe vera does.
Calathea leaves are no difficulty for your cat to nibble on. Additionally, your cat might rip the leaves off, spoiling them.
Calathea is unlikely to hurt your cat, but it’s possible that it’ll make it hostile when it’s around. Cats are a reckless bunch of animals. Its claws have the power to scrape and rip leaves from the tree.
Why Are Cats Safe Around Calathea?
Cats can safely consume calethea because it does not contain any harmful ingredients. Some houseplants are dangerous to cats because they contain substances (such insoluble calcium oxalates) that, if ingested, can result in excruciating discomfort and even serious organ failure.
Cats may also be harmed by the water that surrounds the stems of some houseplants or cut flowers. Your cat is more likely to consume poisons from their grooming activities than from nibbling or chewing on vegetation.
Any amount of unsuitable plant stuff consumed accidently by a cat could be harmful. For instance, lilies can be so fatal that even a cat that washes the pollen off of its fur or whiskers can get renal failure and pass away.
Contrarily, Calathea is a source of food for herbivores in their natural habitat and does not contain any of these chemical substances. Even if you explore reputable plant dealers’ online stores, you could find mislabeled plants there.
Human error is a very real factor to take into account while choosing plants, even if misidentifications are rarely so wrong that they place the plant in a different genus than its true ancestry.
Normally, this wouldn’t be a major concern, but knowing what plants are being brought into our homes and workplaces is crucial for the well-being of our cherished kitties.