Being a cat parent can be a heavy burden if your home is full of plants. Cats can be quite playful around plants, which is why you have to be careful not to have a toxic plant that would endanger your kitty’s life around.
So, are hoyas toxic to cats? That’s the question we’re going to address in this article, in addition to everything else you might want to know about having hoya plants around your cat.
Are Hoya Plants Toxic To Cats?
Hoya plants are perfectly safe among cats, humans, and all pets alike. The plant doesn’t contain any parts that might be toxic to touch or eat.
It’s also worth noting that there are no reports referring to any toxic effects associated with hoya plants. In fact, the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) classifies Hoya plants to be non-toxic.
Can My Cat Eat Hoya Plants?
Hoya plants, also known as “wax plants,” are popular for their thick and seemingly waxy leaves that make them quite resilient.
They grow along their vine to form a star-shaped flower that’s attractive to the eye. That’s why it would draw your kitty to come around and play.
Just like any plant, the flowers produce nectar to attract bees as a part of the pollination process that helps in the reproduction of the plants. The nectar is so sweet that your feline pet may want to try it.
Even if your cat didn’t try the nectar, the shape of the plant itself would tempt your cat to have a go and see what it tastes like.
Will eating a hoya plant affect your cat, though?
As we mentioned earlier, hoya plants aren’t toxic to cats. However, a cat’s stomach might not be able to process the plant, which can create some problems.
Some cats might experience nausea and vomiting if they consume a large portion of a hoya, but that’s not due to any toxicity in the plant itself.
When Would It Be Necessary to Take My Cat to the Vet?
If your feline pet eats any parts of hoya plants, the plant won’t cause it any harm. In most cases, there’s no need to take them to the vet.
Only if your cat stopped eating entirely, vomited repetitively, or seemed dull and out of life; only then you’d need to take them to the vet.
Should I Keep My Hoya Plants Around My Cat?
There’s no reason not to keep the hoyas in your home; they’re beautiful, easy to care for, and don’t pose any risk of toxicity.
That being said, if your cat still plays around with it and tries to eat it, you might want to put it in a place that’s out of the cat’s reach.
It’s also worth noting that some plant fertilizers may cause harm to your cat. So, if you do use a non-pet-safe fertilizer, be sure to keep the plant away or change the type of fertilizer used.
What To Do If My Cat Tries Constantly to Eat My Plants?
During self-cleaning, fluff balls may get accumulated in the digestive tract of your cat. They may try to swallow it down by eating green plants.
Unfortunately, you’re not around all the time to keep them away from the plants, so here are a few tips and tricks to keep them away, even if you’re not around.
Cat Grass
Your plants don’t have to be the ingredient that helps your cat swallow down their fluff balls. You can use cat grass instead!
Cat grass can be purchased from your local pet store, or you can grow it yourself.
Chili Powder
You can try dusting some chili powder on the leaves of your plants. It will help drive your cat away from it.
If this doesn’t work, stop using it right away, as it might induce vomiting and diarrhea in your cat.
Citrus
Cats hate the taste of citrus. So, another thing you can do to keep your feline pet away from your hoya plant, or any other plant for that matter, is to spray the plant with citrus solutions.
Vinegar and Water
Spraying your plants with vinegar and water has the same effect as citrus spraying. Cats absolutely hate vinegar, so that should work too.
Aluminum Foil
Placing some aluminum foil around the base of the plant can help drive the cat away because cats detest the feeling of aluminum on their feet.
Changing the Plant’s Place
Avoid putting your plants near your cat’s favorite place; it might attract her to the plant or repel her from her place.
Try suspending your plants high above the ground to prevent the cat from reaching them. You can also try putting your plants on a balcony or window shelf.
Cover the Soil
Lastly, you can try putting some pebbles over the soil of your plants, which will make it harder for the cat to nibble at the soil.
How to Know If a Plant Is Safe or Not?
The ASPCA website has an enormous database of all the plants that may be toxic or non-toxic to keep around your cat.
The list is not final, but they keep updating it, constantly adding new entries. This list can help you decide whether or not to add a certain plant to your home.
If you’re thinking of a specific plant, just search the database with its name, and you’ll find out whether or not it’s safe to keep around your pet.
What to Do If There’s a Toxic Plant in Your Home?
First, it’s important to understand the plant’s level of toxicity. Some plants are mildly toxic, while others can be fatal!
For slightly toxic plants, you simply want to keep them in places that aren’t easily accessible by your pet.
For highly toxic plants, if possible, you should get rid of them or trade them for other plants that wouldn’t harm your cat.
Are Hoya Plants Poisonous to Dogs?
Hoya plants have no toxic effects whatsoever, not on cats, dogs, or any other living creature. Be that as it may, you should still try to place the plant somewhere that’s not easily accessible.
Yes, hoya plants aren’t poisonous to dogs, but they may cause your dog (or cat) some digestion problems.
Final Thoughts
Are hoyas toxic to cats? The answer is no, hoyas aren’t toxic to cats or any other living creature. That being said, if consumed in large quantities, the plant can cause your pet some nausea and vomiting. So, be sure to try one of the above-listed methods to keep your pet away from it.
If you have a lot of plants, you can check the ASPCA database for toxic and non-toxic plants. By doing so, you can be confident in the plants you have at home.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.