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The popular spider plant, also known as the ribbon plant, is a safe houseplant for pets. It’s non-toxic to cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and many other domestic pets.
However, it’s best to ensure your pet doesn’t nibble on the plant to avoid the diarrhea and vomit inducing chemicals it carries.
Houseplants are great additions to a home because they have many beneficial qualities. Apart from improving the aesthetic of your house, they also purify the air, boost your mood, ease stress, and more.
However, some indoor plants such as the Fiddle Leaf Fig are unsafe to bring into a home with pets because of their poisonous properties. Even the smallest bite can be dangerous for your fur babies.
Luckily, the spider plant doesn’t fall into that category as it’s one of many houseplants safe for pets. Whether you have a cat, dog, or hamster, this plant is guaranteed to live in harmony with your little friend.
Still, it’s good to know as much as you can before you introduce the plant into your home. Read further to learn about the potential pitfalls to expect when you have a spider plant and a pet in the same home.
Are Spider Plants Toxic to Cats?
If you have a cat, you know how relentlessly curious they are. These felines are often fascinated by foreign objects.
It’s not uncommon to find your cat staring at something for what seems like an eternity before trying to get their paws on it.
This also goes for houseplants, which may lead to harmful results if they’re eaten or touched.
The spider plant, in particular, is said to have a harmless hallucinogenic effect on cats; commanding their attention with its beautiful, dangling leaves.
Now, to answer the common question, “are spider plants poisonous to cats?” Fortunately, curiosity will not kill the cat in this case as they are cat safe plants. It’s one of the few air-purifying plants safe for cats. Although, you may want to keep the ribbon plant out of reach for its own safety.
While the spider plant may not kill your cat, you must still consider it to be hazardous.
If your furry friend eats a sizable chunk of the plant, they can have an upset stomach and vomit for hours. If the vomiting doesn’t stop within a few hours, then take your cat to the vet.
Keeping Your Plant Away from Your Cat
While the spider plant and cats have a non-fatal relationship, you may arrive home to find bite marks and scratches on the plant’s leaves thanks to the cat’s fascination.
To safeguard your plant baby, you’ll need to keep it out of reach or make it undesirable to your pet.
One of the best ways to do that is getting a plant hanging basket. If this doesn’t work, there are other solutions.
Cats have a great sense of smell, and you can use that against them. Place things that smell bad to cats, such as citrus fruit peels or cayenne pepper, near or on these cat safe houseplants.
Alternatively, provide your fur baby with cat friendly plants such as cat grass to nibble on – it actually has many benefits like improving digestion, fewer hair balls, and more.
Are Spider Plants Toxic to Dogs?
Dogs aren’t as curious as cats, so you don’t have to worry as much about them as you would a feline.
Yet, it’s not uncommon to find your little canine taking a bite out of a houseplant, especially if it’s a naughty breed such as Siberian Huskies.
Luckily, the spider plant is one of the many plants safe for dogs. It doesn’t have any chemicals that may cause harm to your furry friend. Still, it’s best to keep it away from your dog, for both the plant and the canine’s health.
Just like the cat, eating a chunk of certain dog safe houseplants will induce vomiting and diarrhea in canines – a mess you’d certainly like to avoid. If the symptoms persist, a trip to your vet will be the order of the day.
On the other hand, dogs can bring harm to the plant. They do this either by digging on the soil or using the plant as a urinal.
Dog urine has many chemicals that can kill your plant babies if your canine frequently pees in the plant pot.
Keeping Your Plant Away from Your Dog
To safeguard your plant from your dog, you will also use the scent of citrus fruits to deter them thanks to their strong noses. Also, keep the plant out of reach by placing it into a plant room or in a plant basket.
Since dogs are usually more obedient than cats, training techniques are another great way to deter them from eating your plant.
When you see your canine stepping closer to your plant, firmly shout “no” and then reward them with praise, treats, or a hug.
Since you won’t be home all the time, a bitter “Stop the chew” spray may work wonders in your absence. Just ensure it’s safe for both dogs and plants. You can spray on a small part of the plant to test its safety.
Are Spider Plants Toxic to Birds?
Pet birds are great friends thanks to their cheerful, chirping way of life. These feathered friends are smart, easy to care for, and are social and affectionate.
Whether you have a parrot, budgie, cockatiel, or any of the popular pet birds, they are sure to appreciate the introduction of houseplants.
Be it in the same room as them or in their cages, it’s a great way to make them feel at home.
And while there are plants that may harm them, the spider plant is one of many pet safe houseplants perfect for birds.
As birds are herbivores, they are more prone to bite on the spider plant compared to cats and dogs, even if they’re well fed.
And while there haven’t been any proven side effects for eating the ribbon plant, surely you’d rather keep their leaves in fine condition.
Keeping Your Plant Away from Your Bird
The best way to ensure the ribbon plant’s beauty isn’t ruined by bite marks is by placing the plants out of reach for birds.
Sure, they can fly – but you can keep the plant in a separate room or keep the bird in a cage.
Some birds have an attraction to eating soil and they may try to munch on your plant baby’s home.
The best way to prevent this is to place pebbles all over the soil. This is also helpful to your bird as fertilizers may contain harmful chemicals.
Alternatively, you can get this animal repelling device which works for many animals, including birds. It is also non-toxic and chemical-free.
Are Spider Plants Toxic to Hamsters?
These rodents are cute and popular pets thanks to their small size and minimal needs. While they spend most of their rather short lifetime in a cage, there are times you’ll let them run free.
When you do, they may nibble on some of your low-hanging pet safe plants.
Spider plants are generally non-toxic for pet hamsters, but there are instances where you’ll have to exercise caution.
Specifically, you’ll want to ensure they don’t nibble on the seeds and the flowers from the plant’s occasional bloom. That’s because they aren’t non-toxic like the leaves.
Furthermore, you’ll have to monitor how much of the spider plant the adorable critter eats. If they bite off more than they can chew, they can suffer from an upset stomach.
Keeping Your Plant Away from Your Hamster
The best way to keep the plant away from your hamster is by placing it out of reach. This means that, as tempting as it may be to use it as cage decoration, it’s better placed on high ground.
Are Spider Plants Toxic to Rabbits?
Rabbits make for incredible pets because of their playful nature and soft fur. They’re herbivores, meaning no houseplant is safe from these cute hoppers.
Much like the other pets here, you’ll be happy to know that the spider plant is non-toxic to rabbits.
So, if you get home and find chunks of the plant missing, rest assured your rabbit won’t be in harm’s way.
In fact, your plant may actually be the one in harm’s way. Apart from biting on it, rabbits have a habit of digging into any sort of ground. This includes the soil in which your houseplant lives.
Keeping Your Plant Away from Your Rabbit
Just like all the pets above, the best way to keep the spider plant safe is by placing it out of reach. Alternatively, you can train the bunny using a water mister and shouting a firm “no” if you see them get too friendly with the plant.
You can stop the digging by hiding the soil behind pebbles, and the chewing can be prevented with a chew toy.
Are Spider Plants Toxic to Lizards?
One of the best things about owning a reptile is giving them a lively and appealing vivarium.
Houseplants, including the ribbon plant, are one of the best ways to do this. Apart from looking good to you, it also purifies the air inside the cube.
While most lizards aren’t herbivores, there are some that love munching on plants, such as green iguanas.
These types of reptiles may eat the spider plant, which is as safe for them as it is for most, if not all, pets.
However, if you have a pet lizard or similar reptiles in a vivarium, you may be better off without the spider plant.
This is because the plant will quickly outgrow the indoor cube. Plus, the sap may lead to skin irritation for your lizard.
Keeping Your Plant Away from Your Lizard or Reptile
If your lizard stays in a vivarium and your spider plant in the house, you won’t need to worry too much about reducing the contact between the two.
Spider Plant Toxicity: More Information & Tips
Now that you know that the spider plant is one of the household plants safe for cats, dogs, rabbits, and other common pets, there’s more to learn about the plant.
This will help ensure the easy-to-care-for plant will live for a long time, even with minor interference from your pet. Plus, other additional information regarding how the plant can negatively affect your pet.
Caring for the Spider Plant
To ensure you receive all the benefits of this plant, you’ll need to care for it. This won’t be too hard as they are great for beginners or people with green thumbs. These are just the most important basics to consider.
During their infancy, they need to be watered occasionally and after a year of growth, you’ll need to tone this down.
You can tell they need a watering by how dry their soil is. For best outcome, err on the side of caution by underwatering rather than over watering as it may die.
If you want the leaves to grow healthily, you’ll need to keep the spider plant in bright to moderate indirect sunlight.
Direct sunlight can burn its leaves and taints their visual appeal with the appearance of brown tips and spots.
What Can Make the Spider Plant Poisonous?
While the plant itself is considered one of the pet safe indoor plants, there are external factors that may make it toxic to your little friends.
When you purchase a plant, it would likely have been treated with various fertilizers, pesticides, and fungicides.
You’ll have to ensure you purchase pesticides and fertilizers that are non-toxic to pets too when you’re caring for the plant baby.
To make sure all is above board, ask the nursery what has been used in treating the plant and make sure it’s safe for your pet.
Are You Getting the Spider Plant?
Now that you’ve received your answer on whether the spider plant is toxic to cats, dogs, hamsters and other common pets, are you getting it? If you do choose to own one, you’re in for a great time. It’s an air purifying plant that’s beneficial for you and your pets.
Being easy to care for, it’s one of the best beginner plants. The spider plant is a great way to start creating a colony of houseplants safe for cats, dogs, and more.
Grow your houseplant community to include some pet safe members of the orchid plant family and more!