Pet Hilariously Camouflages Itself As ‘cat Snake Plant’ To Spy From Porch
One cat’s secret hiding spot has delighted the internet this week after a picture captured viral attention on Wednesday.
The picture was shared by Sam Jones from Fort Smith, Arkansas, who uses the Reddit handle u/violentlytasty.
In the picture, the gray and white cat, who is named Xena the Warrior Kitty, is sitting among a snake plant on the porch. With long leaves on either side, she is watching the world go by while also looking like part of the plant.
Jones told Newsweek: “This is her favorite porch spot in my snake plant, she is watching over the yard.”
Delighted by the picture, Reddit users headed to the comments to share their thoughts on the cat’s unusual resting spot.
“I thought cats were afraid of snakes?!” joked one commenter, while another said: “Cats are such weirdos, I love them.”
“Your cat has beautiful wings,” said another Redditor. While one commenter said: “Wow what a great variety, so rare! You should try and propagate this rare cultivar and sell it for $1000.”
Despite the plant being a favorite sitting spot of Xena, Jones says it isn’t doing any harm: “The plant seems to still be growing with her sitting in it.”
However, one one Reddit user pointed out that the snake plant is in fact toxic to cats.
This is because the plant contains chemical compounds called saponins, which can result in feline nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if consumed or chewed on.
What Makes Snake Plants Toxic To Ingest
The toxicity of the seemingly harmless snake plants comes from an organic chemical called Saponin.
Saponin is a plant-derived chemical that is found in a variety of plants. It is bitter, and it foams when it comes in contact with water.
Many plants have it as a natural pest repellent.
The foaming quality of the toxin can upset your dogs digestive system. It can also disturb normal cell activity, which can lead to ruptured red blood cells. However, not all of it is harmful.
For instance, Saponins found in foods like spinach and oats increase our ability to absorb silicon and calcium. This helps our body easily digest food.
Will My Cat Recover After Ingesting Snake Plant
Well luckily for him this wont cause too much damage because toxins found in them are not very powerful. And even small amounts can usually be excreted by cats with no ill effects at all!
If you notice your cat is not acting like himself, take him to the vet immediately! Early diagnosis and treatment will speed up his recovery time.
If you dont act quickly, the plant ingestion could be fatal for cats.
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Symptoms Of Snake Plant Poisoning
If your cat eats too much of the snake plant, it can cause an upset stomach. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as a possible allergic reaction. This includes swelling of the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, and excessive drooling.
How much your cat ate will lead to either mild or severe symptoms.
Give Your Cat Cat Grass
If your cat loves chewing on leafy things you can try giving it a safer alternative. Cat grass is safe for cats to chew and graze on and is easy to care for and grow. An added plus is that cat grass actually has some beneficial nutrients and fiber that make it a healthy snack.
Cat grass is actually not considered a type of plant, but rather a grass mixture that is grown from seeds such as wheat, rye, barley, or oats. Cat grass is not the same as the grass youll find outside in your yard, so you dont want to mistake the two. Its not a good idea to let your cat go munching on your lawn. That would most likely lead to an upset stomach or worse if the lawn was treated with pesticides.
Cat grass is a different blend and is grown safely indoors, specifically for household pets. One of the benefits of having cat grass in your home is that it can act as a deterrent, pulling your cats attention away from your other houseplants. If your cat is more distracted by the cat grass, it will be less likely to go after your snake plant which is not safe for them like cat grass is.
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Place The Plant Up Higher
Along with the previous suggestion, you can try placing the snake plant up higher out of your cats reach using a stand or an isolated shelf. This creates a level of difficulty for your cat to reach the plant, decreasing the chances that it will make the effort to get to it. Some cats can be quite persistent though, so be sure there isnt a nearby surface that your cat can climb onto to help it reach the plant.
What Does Saponin Do
Although Saponin does its job well by keeping insects and fungus at bay, it is not good for humans and pets. The compound Saponin is toxic for living beings and causes gastronomical reactions in humans and animals when ingested. Furthermore, the juices of the plant have the ability to cause skin dermatitis. Dermatitis is a form of skin diseases that creates rash or irritation.
Chewing or consuming any part of snake plants in excess puts humans and animals at the risk of developing severe allergic reactions. In the worst case scenario, these reactions may result in swelling of the tissues in the oral cavity and esophagus. Such a response can ultimately cause a serious threat to life.
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Is Snake Plant Toxic To Dogs Symptoms And First Aid
- Post published:July 10, 2020
Snake plant is a popular houseplant and likely to be found indoors in a pot as well as outdoors. Although its not common for dogs to chew on unsuitable objects such as plants, the possibility is not zero. Whether it is a curious little puppy or a bored restless dog, they may ingest houseplants or outdoor ornamental plants. So, is the snake plant toxic for dogs? Well, the short answer is yes. All Sansevieria species are in fact mildly toxic and can cause some gastrointestinal problems. Keep reading to learn more about the toxic parts of this plant, symptoms of toxicity, prevention measures and first-aid tips.
Although snake plants can cause trouble for your dog, most probably they wont eat too much. Animals usually dont return for a second bite, because the snake plant is bitter in taste and causes immediate burning sensation to the mouth.
Keep Your Cat Entertained
Cats love exploring the world around them and are naturally curious creatures. The main reason they are eating your snake plant isnt that they like the taste or the nasty side effects that come from consumption, theyre just enticed by the plant and want to discover more about it.
It follows that a great way to stop your cat from ingesting your snake plant is by providing them with something more entertaining and enticing, such as toys. Purchase several different toys to establish what type your cat enjoys the most. Be sure to switch their toys up regularly so that they always have something new to discover and play with. Automatic toys are also a wonderful idea for any busy owner who doesnt have the time to keep their cat entertained each day.
You can also provide other exciting items cat scratching posts, cat trees, and several hiding places. While all cats will benefit from an enriching home environment, indoor cats will even more so as they dont have the natural world to explore. Youll be surprised by how much adding a few more products for your cats can deter them from consuming your houseplants.
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Faqs About Snake Plants
What is unique about snake plants?
Similar to other household succulents, snake plants help to filter indoor air. Whats unique about this particular plant is that its one of the few plants that can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen at night. This quality makes it an ideal plant for bedroom decor as it can help regulate healthy airflow.
Why is a snake plant called a snake plant?
Dracaena trifasciata is commonly because of the shape and sharp margins of its leaves. It is also known as the vipers bowstring hemp because it is one of the sources of plant fibers used to make bowstrings.
Does snake plant bring good luck?
Snake plant: also known as mother-in-law plant, whatever you call it, this plant has been deemed a good luck plant because of its ability to absorb poisonous gases from the air, removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene. Additionally, this healthy plant can help provide natural humidity when grouped with others.
Can you trim snake plants?
Snake plants are notoriously hardy and relatively slow-growing, so they will likely tolerate pruning very well at any time of year. However, to give your plant the best chance of thriving after pruning, it is best to do this when it is actively growing, ideally in spring or early summer.
How often should I water my potted snake plant?
Are Snake Plants Toxic To Other Animals
Snake plants pose a threat to mammals that make themselves at home in your space. Cats and dogs are the most likely to fall victim to the plant’s debilitating effects, but the plant’s toxicity level is low enough that your pet should only suffer digestive discomfort after eating its leaves.
Rabbits, however, as well as hamsters, guinea pigs, and ferrets can also suffer from digestive problems if they chew on the leaves.
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Are Snake Plants Poisonous To Cats
Snake plants are very toxic to cats because they contain mildly poisonous toxins known as Saponin, which is a defensive mechanism these plants use to protect themselves from harmful fungi, insects, microbes, and other animals like cats. ASPCA also reports that all parts of snake plants are not safe for cats.
Although these plants are used for medical treatments in some parts of the world, this does not negate their poisonous nature, especially to animals like cats when ingested. It has a very numbing effect on cats, coupled with several other symptoms mentioned below. So as much as possible, please keep your cat away from this poisonous plant.
Snake Plant Toxic To Cats
Will the snake plant poison my cat or other pets if they nibble on it? No, the snake plant is not poisonous to cats or other pets.
Sansevieria Trifasciata, also known as the snake plant, is a popular houseplant. Toxic components in the plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea in our pets. Because cats are inquisitive creatures, eating leaves is not unusual. Snake plants contain only low levels of poisonous chemicals, so eating them will not kill your cat. As a result of an allergic reaction, cats are more likely to become ill than other animals. Snake plants, in addition to being highly indigestible, are notorious for causing stomach problems. Snake plants lack a lot of saponins, which arent particularly powerful toxins despite their low levels.
Snake plants, in addition to being less toxic, contain fewer of these chemicals than other plants. If your cat has an allergic reaction, you should keep it away from snakes. Snake plant poisoning is caused by a chemical reaction, and the toxins will need to accumulate in the body for some time before they can be removed. When your cat consumes a snake plant, it can develop diarrhea, increasing the risk of dehydration as well. Some techniques can be used by your veterinarian to alleviate symptoms and reduce complications. Many cat owners may be disappointed to learn that the Mother-In-Laws Tongue poses a threat to their cats. However, there is no need to be concerned.
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Are Mass Cane Plants Toxic To Dogs
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the individual dog and its level of sensitivity. Some dogs may experience vomiting and diarrhoea if they eat mass cane plants, while others may only have a mild reaction. If you are concerned that your dog has eaten mass cane plants, it is best to consult your veterinarian.
A dog with Dracaena leaves may vomit, diarrhea, weakness, drooling, loss of appetite, and depression. In general, dogs and cats can be poisoned by Mauna Loa and Stargazers, but cats can only be poisoned by Easter Lilies and Stargazers. It is a tropical evergreen shrub native to eastern Asia and can grow to be 50 feet tall. Observe your dogs behavior for clues to his motivation when eating houseplants they are frequently eaten for a variety of reasons. As long as your home plants are not toxic, your dog will not be harmed if you use the behavior. It is poisonous to cats and dogs when grown in mass . Pets who are poisoned can vomit, excessively chew, and even die, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals .
It grows in USDA plant hardiness zones 9, 10, and 11 in the United States. Because it contains a lot of cane, cats and dogs can become ill from it. Pets are poisoned in addition to vomiting, excessive drooling, and anorexia, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals .
What Is Saponin
Saponin is a natural defense that most plants have, which acts as an irritant to their predators. Its found in the leaves of many different types of houseplants and outdoor plants, including garden holly, geraniums, lilies-of-the-valley , tomatoes , and many others.
Its a good idea to keep all of these plants out of reach from your cat for the same reasons we gave before, just in case they do decide to eat them!
The leaves are where saponin is concentrated so that means if you have one plant with saponin in it then eating the leaves of that plant will make your cat sick.
The ASPCA says the best thing to do if you know your kitty is going for a walk in tall grass or has been outside, then give them a good drink of water after they get back inside and wash their paws with soap-and-water before letting them near any kitchen appliances, especially if they have been licking their paws.
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How To Treat It
In most cases, its simply a matter of time before the poison is out of your cats system. In most healthy cats, their immune symptoms will kick into high gear, and the toxins from the Snake Plant will naturally be eliminated. In more severe cases where symptoms dont subside within the first few days however, its essential to check with a professional and get them the help they need.
If you suspect the poison or toxins from the plant may be thriving in your cats oral cavity watch for excessive drooling. It could indicate they are trying to get rid of these harmful toxins. If thats the case, it might be time to take them to the Pet Hospital and have a professional flush out the remaining poison from their teeth and gums. Be prepared to stay a while because the procedure lasts several hours. It may take a while for the vet to successfully remove the harmful toxins but its vital otherwise, the poisoning could be prolonged and so could your cats suffering.
Popular Houseplants To Avoid When You Live With Pets
There’s no doubt plants play a vital part in creating a cozy living space. However, it is important to choose your greenery carefully, especially if you have pets around. The next time you’re itching to bring a new plant into your home, make sure it’s not one of the following six.
1. Aloe
In addition to its medicinal properties, aloe vera is great for indoor air purification because it harvests carbon dioxide at night, actively improving your air quality while you sleep. However, it can also be toxic for household pets, causing vomiting, depression, diarrhea, anorexia, and tremors in both dogs and cats.
2. Pothos
Pothos is low maintenance and can suffer a fair amount of neglect, making it one of the most popular houseplants, and therefore easy to find. However, it does contain calcium oxalates which makes it toxicif ingestedand should be kept out of reach from both pets and small children. Additional Names include Devil’s Ivy, Taro Vine, and Ivy Arum.
3. Jade
Jade is a beautiful and popular household plant. Yet, it can cause vomiting, a decreased heart rate, and even depression if ingested by pets. If you purchase a jade plant for your home, be sure it is placed out of reach from any animal.
4. Snake Plants
5. Philodendron
6. Dieffenbachia
Remember: if you think your pet may have been poisoned by a household plant, be sure to call your vet immediately.
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What Happens If A Cat Eats A Snake Plant
If a cat eats a snake plant, it can be harmful and toxic. The leaves and sap of the snake plant contain a chemical substance called saponin.
Saponins are chemical substances that may be found in a wide variety of plants, seeds, and vegetables, including herbs and snake plants.
If you are a cat owner, it is vital to be aware of the dangers that snake plants pose to your pet.
Signs and symptoms of snake plant poisoning in cats include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, and throat.
If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned by a snake plant, take them to the veterinarian immediately.
Fortunately, most cats make a full recovery within a day or two after eating snake plants.
The toxins found in the plant usually wont cause long-term health problems for cats, and they will vomit up any remaining plant parts.
Though it may seem like a trivial task, fulfilling your pets needs is very important. This includes providing food and water and going on walks or playing with them.
If you do this, there is less chance of eating snake plants, which can be toxic to cats.