Ponytail palm is neither a palm nor a tree, which makes it an interesting houseplant. But homeowners often find themselves concerned over whether ponytail palms are toxic to cats and dogs.
In this article, we will address these concerns and break down the many aspects associated with it. So without further ado, let’s dive in to see if ponytail palms are safe for your pets.
Are ponytail palms toxic?
Ponytail palms are not toxic. They are not poisonous to dogs, cats, humans, or even horses for that matter. The ponytail palms make excellent houseplants and they grow beautifully indoors. They are fast growers and grow well even when you cannot provide them with proper care.
Ponytail palms are not toxic to cats or dogs. They make great indoor plants and you can grow them even with minimal care. The ponytail palms are an interesting breed of trees as they are neither palm nor a tree.
These are houseplants that can grow as tall as 20 feet, even indoors. They thrive do not need to be watered very often or trimmed as frequently as other houseplants. These plants thrive even with minimal care.
But you do not have a reason to worry as these plants are not toxic to your plants. You can rest assured that the ponytail palms are not poisonous. They will not harm your cats, or dogs.
This is a huge relief for homeowners who also own pets. Because pets, espeically cats and dogs are naturally drawn to houseplants. They like to chew on their leaves, so you always need to be careful whether you’re bringing in a toxic plant. In this case, there is no need to worry though.
Cats:
No, the ponytail palms are not toxic to cats. They do not cause any harm to cats even if they chew on their leaves or branches.
These plants are non-toxic, which is a huge relief for homeowners because the ponytail palms will make wonderful plants for your home.
And cats are naturally very curious animals. They love to explore around the house and it is very hard to restrict their access from certain plants.
So if they were toxic, you’d have to get rid of the plant altogether. But that’s not the case here, thankfully.
Dogs:
Ponytail palms are not toxic to dogs either. They will not cause any trouble to your dog’s health even if they end up eating the leaves or parts of the plant’s branches.
Fortunately, the ponytail palm trees are totally non-toxic to dogs.
Can cats & dogs eat ponytail palm?
Cats and dogs can eat ponytail palms. These plants make great houseplants as they are lightweight, interesting and small in size. You can conveniently keep them in your sitting room, study and even bedroom without any worry.
Homeowners who have pets in their home are often concerned about what kind of plants they bring in. This is because cats and dogs are curiously drawn towards the houseplants and they like to chew on the textured leaves.
But you do not need to worry about the ponytail palms. Your cats and dogs can eat these plants, it will not cause any harm to them.
If these plants were toxic, your pets would have shown symptoms almost after chewing on or eating the leaves of these plants.
After cats and dogs eat toxic plants, they show symptoms like upset stomach, vomiting, swollen face or tongue. But rest assured, there is no evidence or report that would indicate that the ponytail palms are toxic for your pets.
Are cats attracted to ponytail palms?
Yes, cats are attracted to ponytail palms. This is because these plants have an interesting look on them. They are neither palm nor a tree, emitting an interesting vibe around the house which naturally draws the cats towards them.
In addition, these plants have textured and long leaves. Cats love to chew on leaves such as this. So your cat will be naturally very attracted to the ponytail palms in your house.
Moreover, the branches are textured as well. The log of these trees are tall, which sometimes intrigues the cats to climb on. So your cat is likely to spend a lot of time on and around the ponytail palm trees in your house.
But you should make sure that your cat is not ruining the leaves of these plants. If they keep chewing on the leaves, then the plant will soon look worn out. So make sure to keep your cat away from the plant and it will beautify your house.
What happens when cats & dogs eat ponytail palm?
When cats and dogs eat certain parts of a ponytail palm tree, there may be some reaction to it. Here’s what happens:
They create a mess:
If your pets, whether they are cats or dogs, eat ponytail palm trees, then they are sure to make a mess.
Your dogs and cats do not go easy on plants sometimes and they create an utter mess. They like to chew on the leaves, eat up the stem and branches.
All this is very likely to create a huge mess in your home. So you should definitely try to keep the plant out of your pet’s reach in order to avoid such a messy situation.
Fails to serve its aesthetic purpose:
These plants are typically planted indoors for asesthetic values. Their interesting structure adds great value to the beauty of the house, especially if it has bohemian style decor.
These plants make beautiful indoor plants as their stems are long and the leaves are textured. The leaves are clustered on the top, draping the stem.
And if your pets eat the plant then it will ruin the beauty of the plant. In fact it will turn out to be counterintuitive.
Fails to clean the air of the house:
The plant is also known for its ability to keep the air indoors clean. This is a good houseplant for houses in the city and busy areas of the town. And if your pet eats the plant, then that purpose is not served as well.
Why do pets like ponytail palm?
Ponytail palms are known to attracts pets. Their unique features have been credited for this. Let’s take a look at why pets like ponytail palms:
The texture:
The leaves and stem of the ponytail palm trees are textured. So they attract cats and dogs as they seem very curious. Cats and dogs like to chew on the textured leaves as well.
The length on the stem:
These plants have long stems. This allows the cats in your home and opportunity to try out their climbing skills.
Since the stem is textured as well, cats have a good time clawing on it and climbing their way up. This is another significant reason why your pet is attracted to ponytail palms.
Long leaves:
The leaves of the ponytail plants are pretty tall. They keep growing and moving downward, draping the stem from top to bottom. Since the leaves almost reach the base of the plant, pets have a very easy go at the leaves.
They can chew on and eat the leaves from the ground. Since the leaves are textured, pets enjoy chewing on them every now and then. This is another reason why pets are attracted to ponytail palms.
How to keep pets away from ponytail palm?
Pets have a tendency to destroy houseplants. And your ponytail plam plants will not be excused from the threat. So you should take proper precautions to keep your pets away from the ponytail palm. Here’s what you can do:
Keep the plant out of your pets’ reach:
If it is possible, keeping the plant out of the reach of your pets will be the best way to keep them away from your ponytail palm.
You can keep the plant in the baranda and keep your pets from entering it. This will allow the plant an environment with enough light and water as well.
Keep the plant at a height:
You can keep the plant at a height and that will save it from the being within your pet’s reach. If possible, keep the plant on top of a stool or chair. And as the plant only grows upward, its leaves will surely be safe from pets.
Use a repellent:
You can also use a pet or animal repellent on your ponytail palm tree to keep your pet away from the plant. There are now many such products available at retail stores. Buy one that will not hurm your plant.
Final Thoughts
Fortunately, the ponytail palms are not toxic to cats and dogs. Pets are attracted to this plant due to its unique features and textured leaves. They may end up chewing on the stem and leaves of the ponytail palm. But it will not cause them any harm as it is free of any toxins.