Are Air Plants Toxic to Cats?

Air plants, also known as tillandsias, have become increasingly popular houseplants in recent years With their unique shapes and textures, air plants make beautiful and easy-to-care-for additions to any home

However, cat owners may be wondering – are air plants toxic to cats?

The good news is that air plants are generally considered to be non-toxic to cats and dogs. So if your curious kitty takes a nibble from an air plant they should be just fine.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at air plant safety for cats, including:

• Are air plants poisonous to cats?
• Why cats may be attracted to air plants
• Signs of air plant poisoning in cats
• Tips to keep air plants safe from cats
• Safe air plant alternatives for cats

Are Air Plants Poisonous to Cats?

The majority of air plant species are not toxic or poisonous to cats. This includes some of the most common indoor air plant varieties like Tillandsia ionantha, T. caput-medusae, and T. xerographica.

Air plants are in the Bromeliaceae plant family, which is generally considered non-toxic for cats by the ASPCA.

So if your cat takes a small nibble from an air plant, they’re very unlikely to have any adverse reaction. The worst you’ll have to worry about is a little damage to your air plant.

However, it’s still smart to keep air plants out of reach of cats to prevent choking hazards or gastrointestinal obstructions from swallowed pieces. And as with any ingested plant, some cats may have sensitivities and experience vomiting or diarrhea.

But overall, air plants don’t contain any known toxins that are poisonous or seriously harmful to cats.

Why Cats May Be Attracted to Air Plants

Cats are naturally drawn to new and interesting textures and shapes in their environments. To a curious cat, an air plant can seem like a new toy just begging to be batted around and played with.

Specific reasons cats may be attracted to air plants include:

• Unique shapes and textures – Air plants have intricate spiraled, curled, or spikey leaves unlike any other common houseplant. Cats love exploring new tactile experiences.

• Movement – Air plants mounted on driftwood or hanging in glass globes may move enticingly when batted. Cats love chasing and pouncing.

• Green color – Cats can see some greens better than reds, so the vibrant green of air plants stands out to them.

• Interesting taste – Cats use taste as one way to explore their environment. Nibbling an air plant may provide a mildly intriguing new flavor.

• Location – Air plants are often displayed in easy-to-reach spots like on tabletops, shelves, or windowsills. Curious cats will investigate anything within paw’s reach.

So while air plants aren’t toxic, their eye-catching appearance and placement makes them irresistible as a potential cat plaything.

Signs of Air Plant Poisoning in Cats

Because air plants aren’t toxic to cats, air plant poisoning is extremely unlikely. But for any ingested houseplant, it’s smart to watch for these signs of an adverse reaction:

• Excessive drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Dilated pupils
• Difficulty breathing

If you notice any of these symptoms after your cat interacts with an air plant, contact your veterinarian, especially if symptoms are severe. You should also bring along a sample of the air plant for identification.

But again, these signs are very uncommon in cats after ingesting air plants. Air plants contain no toxic chemicals or compounds known to be poisonous to cats.

Tips to Keep Air Plants Safe From Cats

While air plants aren’t toxic to cats, you probably don’t want your favorite tillandsias to become cat toys. Here are some tips to keep air plants safe and out of reach:

• Display air plants in hanging glass terrariums or wire baskets. These provide visibility while preventing access.

• Place air plants on high shelves or surfaces your cat can’t easily reach or jump on.

• Consider cat-safe air plant alternatives like soft silk plants. Real plants can still be kept safely out of reach.

• Use decorative stones or pebbles to anchor air plants in place and prevent batting around.

• Mist air plants with pet-safe bitter deterrent sprays made specifically to curb chewing behaviors.

• Keep air plants in a room your cats don’t have access to, like a home office or closed bedroom.

With some clever placement, you can still safely enjoy beautiful air plants even in a cat-filled home! Just take precautions to limit access.

Safe Air Plant Alternatives for Cat Owners

If you want to display greenery in spots your cats can access, alternatives like these cat-safe plants are smart choices:

• Spider plants – Non-toxic and contain mild hallucinogens that actually attract and mildly sedate cats.

• Ponytail palm – The long thin leaves are too difficult for cats to chew.

• Boston fern – Too large and dense for cats to damage.

• Prayer plant – Contains calcium oxalate but minimal risk for irritation in small ingestions.

• Pothos – Considered non-toxic but can cause mild gastrointestinal upset.

• Bamboo – The tough stalks discourage chewing.

• Cat grass – Grown specifically for cats to munch on.

Silk or dried plants are also fully safe non-toxic options, though they lack the visual appeal of living plants for us humans.

So although air plants aren’t toxic to cats, take some basic precautions to keep both your treasured tillandsias and curious kitties out of harm’s way. With smart placement and supervision, air plants and cats can safely coexist in your home.

No, air plants (Tillandsia species) are generally considered non-toxic to cats. Even if a cat nibbles on an air plant, it’s unlikely to cause any serious harm.