Experienced hobby gardeners and cat owners know that in the realm of mother nature, opulent blooms often go hand in hand with a dangerously poisonous content. Given their tropical origins and stunning beauty, orchids are suspected to pose a threat to cats. We have compiled important information on the current state of knowledge for you here.
Most orchids are not poisonous to cats
Orchids rank high on the poisonous list
It may be related to the fact that orchids have become the most popular indoor plants in Germany. Statistically, the tropical flowers - next to lilies - trigger the most frequent poisoning accidents in cats. The following types and varieties in particular are classified as toxic:
- Vanilla orchid (Vanilla planifolia) and their hybrids
- Callus orchid (Oncidium cebolleta) and all varieties derived from it
- Butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis) only slightly poisonous
Although veterinary medicine has not confirmed that orchids are poisonous, warnings are piling up among cat lovers. For reasons of caution, we therefore recommend not cultivating these exotic plants, even if there is still a lack of scientifically based confirmation. At the very least, orchids should be out of reach of your house cat.
Symptoms of orchid poisoning
If your cat has nibbled on orchid leaves, typical symptoms of poisoning will set in within a few hours. These include disorientation, convulsions, vomiting and diarrhea. Please contact the vet right away to discuss how to proceed. Ideally, you should take the remaining parts of the plant with you to the practice so that the veterinarian can adjust the treatment accordingly.
tips
Cat friends don't just ban orchids from the house. There should also be no orchids outdoors. This does not only apply to exotic species. Native orchids, such as orchids or lady's slippers, tempt cats roaming the bed to nibble on the leaves.