Are Palm Leaves Poisonous to Cats?

When you buy your first houseplant, you may have seen warnings if you have pets that some plants are toxic. Considering how some cats and dogs like to ingest whatever’s on the floor or sometimes even go out of their way to chew things and put things in their mouth that they shouldn’t, if your plant is toxic, it shouldn’t even be in the home.

Palm trees are one of the more popular artificial plants and real plants that get bought for households looking to spruce things up. As a tropical plant, a palm tree can add some majesty and the feel of a summertime paradise wherever it is set.

If you have a pet though, this begs the question of whether palm leaves are poisonous to cats and dogs.

Palm Trees Are Not Poisonous to Cats

Under normal circumstances, palm trees and palm leaves are not poisonous to cats. This is not common to all palms, however. There are some – such as the sago palm tree – that are very poisonous to cats and dogs. The sago palm is quite popular as well though not your traditional tropical palm tree.

What To Look For If A Pet Eats A Toxic Plant

Whether it’s a large palm tree or something else, there are a few signs to look for if you think a pet’s been poisoned.

Firstly, it’s normal that all parts of the plant are poisonous. The leaves of the sago palm, as an example, contain cycasin which is a toxin. Its seeds are the most poisonous part of the plant, highly concentrated with poison. Any part of the stems are also very poisonous. If a toxic plant’s been ingested or eaten by a pet, symptoms should hit within the hour and in as little as 15 minutes. This is what you can expect to see:

• Vomiting.
• Drooling.
• Diarrhea.
• Lack of appetite.
• Possible liver damage, within 2-3 days.
• Possible central nervous damage, within 2-3 days.
• Possible death, within 2-3 days.

If your pet has ingested a toxic plant, get them to a vet immediately. Do not wait. A vet will decontaminate and treat the toxicity. That said, even with a vet’s help, the survival rate for consuming a toxic plant is 50 percent.

Are Fake Palm Trees Toxic Or Poisonous to Cats?

A fake palm tree is not toxic. It is not poisonous to cats. If you are concerned about what a real palm tree could do and the likelihood of a pet accidentally ingesting a part of the plant, an artificial palm tree is your best bet.

There are lots of advantages to buying a faux palm tree as well that go beyond toxicity. They don’t need watering. They don’t need sunlight. They also look virtually the same as the real thing, at least when they are bought from a premium fake plants brand.

If you don’t have a way to protect your cats from pets, such as by keeping plants in their own room, consider the possibility of artificial plants.