How to Keep Cat Away from Snake Plant | You Should Know

All you snake plant and cat lovers! It’s super cool that you like both of them, but there’s something important we can talk about. 

You know, snake plants may look cool and are easy to care for, but they can be bad news for your kitty pals. Yes, there are some things called saponins in these plants, and if your cat eats them, it could give them a tummy ache, make them throw up, and give them the runs. Not fun at all!

But wait, there’s more! Snake plants also have these tiny crystals called calcium oxalate. And if your cat chews on the plant, it could make its mouth and tongue swell up, making it hard for them to swallow. 

In serious cases, it might even mess with their breathing. Yikes! We definitely don’t want our cute kitties going through that, right?

So, what can we do to keep our furry friends safe? Well, we’ve gotta be careful and make sure they stay away from areas where snake plants are hanging out. We want to create a safe and happy home for our cats and our cool green decor.

But before we go into how to keep cats away from these plants, let’s understand why they’re not the best buds. When we know more about this stuff, we can come up with better ways to make sure both our furry friends and our plant friends are happy together!

Why Are Snake Plants Toxic To Cats?

Let’s talk about a special plant called the snake plant. Just like how our body’s defense system protects us, some plants have ways to defend themselves too!

The snake plant has a secret weapon called “saponins,” which are like tiny soldiers. These saponins help the plant fight off bad germs and pests that might try to harm it. They act as a strong shield!

But, here’s a fun fact: if a curious cat takes a bite of the snake plant, it won’t like the taste! The saponins make it bitter and cause a little burning feeling, so the cat won’t want to eat more of it.

But, if the cat eats a lot of the snake plant, it can cause some problems. The saponins might make the cat feel sick, with things like vomiting and diarrhea. That’s not good at all!

Also, the snake plant has tiny needle-like crystals called “calcium oxalate,” which can make things even worse if swallowed. These crystals can make the cat’s mouth and tongue swell up, making it hard for them to eat or breathe comfortably.

The seriousness of these troubles depends on how much plant the cat eats and how big and strong the cat is. Smaller bites and a strong immune system can help the cat feel better faster.

To keep your furry friends safe, it’s essential to take some steps. Make your home cat-friendly, have other safe plants for them to nibble on, and keep snake plants out of their reach. And remember, if your cat accidentally eats some snake plant, get them to the vet quickly.

Measures to Take When Your Cat Eats a Snake Plant

If you’ve got a curious kitty and a snake plant at home, listen up! It’s important to know that even if your cat has never shown interest in plants before, they might be drawn to the snake plant because it looks cool, smells interesting, or sits in a fun pot with soil.

Now, if you catch your cat nibbling on the snake plant, don’t worry too much. Usually, they might have just tasted a tiny bit of something called “saponin,” which is a toxin in the plant. 

But guess what? Most times, they’ll spit it out and be just fine after a day or two. No big deal!

But here’s the thing: if your cat already has a health problem or shows strong symptoms, it’s time to act fast. Quickly call your veterinarian, the animal doctor! They know just what to do to help your furry friend.

When you get to the vet, they’ll check your cat carefully and decide what’s best. Sometimes, they might make your cat throw up to get rid of any plant bits left in the tummy. They could also use something called “activated charcoal” to soak up any remaining toxins.

If your cat seems thirsty or in shock, the vet might give them some special fluids to feel better. They could also give them medicine to ease the symptoms and prevent any other issues.

Even after your cat starts feeling better, keep a close eye on them for a few days. We want to make sure they’re back to their playful selves with no problems. If you notice anything strange, don’t wait—go back to the vet and have them take a look.

Remember, your furry friend’s health is super important, so always get help from the vet if you’re worried.

How to Keep Your Cat Away From Snake Plants?

There are the following ways you can use to keep your cat away from the plant,

Keep Plants Out of Reach

Let’s talk about how to keep your cat and snake plants safe. It’s important to keep them apart to avoid any troubles. Here are some easy tricks to do just that,

First, let’s find safe spots for your snake plants. Put them up high on shelves or cabinets. Your curious cat won’t be able to reach them there. Also, you can make certain rooms off-limits to your cat. This way, your plants can be safe from any mischief.

Creating vertical space is another cool idea. When you put your plants up high, it makes a barrier that keeps your cat away. And guess what? It adds a nice touch to your home too.

Want more safety? Use cabinets! Place your plants inside closed cabinets. This way, your sneaky cat won’t be able to get to them. It’s like having an extra shield to protect your plants.

You can also set up special areas in your home just for the plants. Choose certain rooms where your cat can’t go. Your snake plants will be happy in their own special zone.

Remember, taking good care of both your cat and your plants is important. Use these easy tips, and you’ll have a happy home for everyone. Keep your plants safe and your cat happy.

Use a Plant Stand

Let’s talk about a cool way to keep your curious cat away from your favorite snake plants – a plant stand!

So, what’s a plant stand? It’s like a special table for your plant. By putting your plant on this tall stand, it creates a barrier that stops your curious cat from reaching it. No more pawing at your lovely plants!

And guess what? The plant stand also makes it harder for your cat to get to the plant, so it won’t be as tempting for them. This way, your plants stay safe and happy, and you and your cat can live together in harmony.

But wait, there’s more! Using a plant stand makes your home look even better! It adds a fancy touch to your living space, making your snake plants look stylish and eye-catching. You can pick a stand that matches your home’s style, so it’s not only useful but also beautiful.

For it to work best, put the plant stand in a spot where your cat usually hangs out or shows interest in your snake plants. This way, you create a safe area for your plants, and your curious cat will be less likely to cause any trouble.

So, in a nutshell, using a plant stand helps you protect your plants and makes your home look great. It’s a win-win situation!

Use A Barrier

One way to do this is by using a special fence or screen around the plant. These barriers will keep your curious cat from getting too close and munching on the plant.

But wait, there’s more! You can also use scents or sprays that cats don’t like. These “deterrents” will make the plant area less interesting for your feline friend.

When your cat listens and stays away from the plant, it’s time for a celebration! Praise your cat, give them treats, and show them love. Positive reinforcement helps them know they’re doing a great job.

To keep your cat entertained, set up a play zone with toys, scratch posts, and things to climb on. This will distract them from the plant and keep them happy and busy.

And here’s a cool tip: try placing the snake plant in high spots, like on shelves or hanging baskets. This way, it’s like a special plant adventure that your cat won’t be able to reach easily.

So, remember, use barriers, scents, and praise, and create a fun play area for your cat. With these tricks, you and your feline buddy can enjoy a safe and happy home!

Aluminum Foil 

If you want to keep your cat away from your cool snake plant, here’s a neat trick! You can use something called “aluminum foil.” It’s like shiny, crinkly paper.

So, all you can do is cover the soil around your plant with this foil. Cats really don’t like the feel of it. It’s kind of bothersome to them, you know? They won’t want to go near your plant anymore.

The foil acts like a special barrier, protecting your plant and scaring the cat away. And guess what? It won’t harm your furry friend! It’s totally safe for them.

So, with the foil on duty, your snake plant will stay happy, and your cat will stay away. 

Provide An Alternative

Cats are curious creatures who sometimes like to chew on things, but we need to be careful because some plants can be harmful to them. One of those plants is called the snake plant.

As responsible cat owners, we want to make sure our cats stay safe and healthy. 

So, instead of letting them chew on dangerous plants like snake plants, we can offer them a special type of grass called cat grass. Cat grass is safe for cats to eat, and it’s filled with important nutrients that are good for their health.

Not only is cat grass safe for cats, but it’s also easy for us to take care of. We can grow it inside our homes or outside in the garden. 

That way, our cats will have a safe and healthy alternative to chew on, and they won’t feel tempted to munch on those harmful snake plants.

Train Your Cat

It’s important to make sure our cats stay away from harmful plants so they can be happy and healthy.

So, how do we teach our cats to avoid these plants? Well, we use positive reinforcement techniques. That means we reward them when they do something right! You can use a clicker or give them treats when they stay away from those plants. 

This way, they learn what’s good and what to avoid. Plus, it helps us bond with our cats, making them trust us even more.

The cool thing about this training is that we can customize it for each cat. Every cat is different, right? So, tailoring the training to fit their needs makes it more effective. Spending time and effort in training them will pay off in the long run because they’ll remember it even when we’re not around.

Not only does this training keep our cats safe, but it also keeps them happy and well-behaved. Doing these fun activities with them keeps their minds and bodies active, and that’s a good thing! We get to protect them from dangerous plants while giving them joy and excitement.

You know what’s really important? Some plants can be very dangerous for our cat’s health. But with this smart training, we give them a safe alternative. 

It’s like giving them superhero power to make better choices! This way, they won’t accidentally eat harmful plants and get sick. We love our furry friends, and positive reinforcement training is a super tool to keep them safe and healthy.

So, let’s be proactive and train our cats to stay away from harmful plants. It’s fun, it’s rewarding, and it shows how much we care about them. Your cat will thank you with lots of cuddles and purrs!

Use Cat Repellent

you love your plants, and you also adore your cute cat, right? But sometimes, your furry friend might get a little too curious and mess with your plants. No worries, we’ve got some cool solutions to help you out.

You can use special stuff called “cat repellents.” These things are made to keep your cat away from your plants. Just put them on or around your plants, and they work like magic to keep your cat from getting too close. 

But hold on, we need to be careful too. Some repellents might have yucky stuff that could be harmful to your kitty if they eat it.

So, it’s a good idea to talk to your friendly veterinarian before using any of these repellents. After all, your cat’s safety is super important.

Now, here’s a fun idea to teach your cat to stay away from your plants without any harm. It’s called “positive reinforcement training.” You give your cat treats or cuddles when they stay away from the plants. That way, they learn to avoid those areas all by themselves!

And guess what? We have another clever trick! You can put up light fences made of mesh or wire around your plants. These fences let you reach your plants easily, but they make your cat think twice about going near them.

Keep An Eye On Your Cat

Cats are curious and can be drawn to plants. So, it’s crucial to watch them closely when they show interest in a specific plant. If you see your cat getting close to the snake plant, you should act fast.

Here’s a helpful trick: attach a bell to the plant pot. If your cat comes near, the bell will ring, and you’ll know right away! This way, you can take action quickly to keep your cat safe.

Remember, always keep an eye on your cat and use these simple ideas to protect them from the snake plant. By doing this, you’ll make sure your furry friend stays happy and safe!

Final Thought

To sum it all up, it’s super important to be aware of the danger snake plants can pose to our cats. As responsible pet owners, we need to be on the lookout for any problems and take action when needed. 

By picking pet-friendly plants and keeping dangerous ones out of reach, we can create a safe and happy home for our lovely cats and our love for plants too. Remember, knowing what’s safe and being careful can make a big difference in keeping our furry friends healthy and happy!

FAQs

My cat likes my snake plant. How do I keep my cat away from it?

Put the plant high up. Use a tall shelf or stand.

Is the snake plant bad for cats if they eat it? 

Yes, it’s toxic to cats. Keep it away from them.

My cat chews the snake plant leaves. What should I do? 

Try a safe spray. It tastes bad and stops chewing.

Are there safe plants for cats in my home? 

Yes, some are cat-friendly, like catnip, spider plants, and Boston ferns.

I want my snake plant on the floor, but my cat knocks it down. Any ideas? 

Use a heavy pot to keep it stable. Put it in a corner or against a wall to keep your curious cat away.