There are lots of beautiful plants out there and when you want to make your garden pretty, you will come across lots of different kinds that you will definitely want to keep!
Unfortunately, lots of the really pretty plants are actually quite harmful to pets, especially dogs and cats, and when you are just starting out with gardening, it can be hard to work out what’s ok and what isn’t.
African Violets are a small kind of plant that is actually quite popular to keep indoors, so you don’t just have to keep them in your garden. But if you don’t know much about them, you might be wondering if they are poisonous to cats.
If you want to find out more about the relationship between African Violets and cats, then I am here to help! Read on to find out more about African Violets and if they are poisonous to cats.
What Are African Violets?
African Violets are a small kind of plant that are usually kept indoors. They can be kept outdoors too though, so you can really keep them wherever you want. They can bloom in a variety of different colors, including white, blue, or purple blossoms.
Though they are called African Violets, they are not actually real violets. They belong to the genus Streptocarpus and they are native to East Africa. Looking after African violets isn’t too difficult, which is why they are so popular to keep as houseplants.
Are African Violets Poisonous To Cats?
Regardless of what kind of plants you get for your garden or in your house, your cats are definitely going to try and get into them at some point. This is why it’s so important to make sure that you only keep plants that are non-toxic to cats in your home.
When it comes to African Violets, you will be happy to know that they are not considered to be toxic or poisonous to cats, so you can keep them in your home without having to worry about if they are going to harm your furry friends.
But even though they are not poisonous or toxic to cats, there are some things you need to watch out for, so read on to find out more about those things!
Things To Watch Out For
If African Violets are not poisonous to cats, what exactly do you need to look out for? Well, there are a couple of things you should be aware of.
In most situations, your cat is going to be completely fine and the plant itself is never going to cause any harm, so it’s important to bear that in mind!
Know Symptoms To Look out For
As there are quite a few plants that are toxic and poisonous to cats, it is extremely important to know what symptoms to look out for.
Even if you don’t keep any plants that are poisonous to your cat, there is always the chance there may be a harmful chemical in the plant or a product used on the plant that could cause harm, so knowing the symptoms to look out for can save your cat’s life.
The first thing you should look out for is a change in your cat’s behavior. If your cat is always upbeat and lively, but suddenly it’s not moving around much, you might want to check to see if it’s ingested something harmful from one of your plants.
Other than the obvious change in behavior, there are lots of other symptoms for you to look out for. Some of the most common include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargic behavior, sneezing, pawing at the mouth/nose, and in severe cases, seizures.
If your cat shows any signs of these symptoms, you will want to take them to a vet to get checked out immediately. You should also contact Animal Poison Control as soon as possible.
To avoid any chance of your cat exhibiting symptoms, when you choose any products or fertilizers for your plants, make sure to check that they are not harmful to pets, especially cats.
How To Keep Your Cat Away From African Violet?
If you already have African Violet in your house and you have used products or fertilizers that might be toxic and poisonous to cats, then don’t worry! Below, I have made a list of things you can do to keep your cat away from your African Violet plants.
These things are quite effective, and they work really well as a short-term solution when you can’t keep an eye on your cats 24/7.
Isolate The Plants
The first thing you can and should do is isolate your African Violets. You will need to put them in an area or room where your cats cannot be allowed to enter. As cats are pretty good climbers, just putting them up high isn’t going to cut it!
You will need to find a spot or room in your house that you will also have to keep your cats out of. This isn’t always an ideal situation, but it works as a short-term solution and it will keep your cats extra safe.
Use Aluminum Foil
What you might not know is that cats absolutely hate the taste, feel, and even sound of aluminum foil! They will stay as far away from it as possible, which also means it’s a great thing to use to keep them away from your African Violets.
You can place aluminum foil around your plant or you can even wrap the whole pot up in it.
Conclusion
While African Violets are not poisonous to cats, the fertilizer or any other products you use on them might be. Luckily, there are ways you can isolate your plants from your cats, ensuring their safety.
If you are ever concerned that your cats may have been poisoned, make sure to keep an eye on the symptoms I have listed above. But overall, if you have a fresh African Violet plant in your house, your cat should be safe!
