Are African Violets Poisonous to Cats? A Guide to the Toxicity of 4 Violet Species

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Many common outdoor or houseplants are toxic to cats, causing severe symptoms and, in some cases, even death. Are African violets poisonous to Cats? Let’s find out!

We’ve researched all the information you need to know about growing violets if you have cats. The good news is that African violets aren’t considered toxic to cats, according to the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). African violets can be grown in a flowerbed or indoors as a houseplant without worrying about your cat being affected.

Are African violets poisonous to cats?

African violets (Saintpaulia spp.) are safe to grow if you have cats as they aren’t poisonous when consumed. These plants are part of the Gesneriaceae family and have been listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA. They are commonly called Cape Marigolds and won’t affect dogs, cats, or horses.

Cats are carnivores and plants don’t make up a large part of their diet. Cats will sometimes nibble on plants and more commonly consume plants, seeds, or grains in the intestine of a mouse or another small rodent they’ve caught.

If your cat eats a piece of an African violet leaf, stem, or flower, there is no need to worry as these plants don’t contain any toxic compounds.

Are flame African violets toxic to cats?

As the name suggests, flame African violets (Episcia reptans) are red in color and are sometimes referred to as either a flame violet or red-violet. This violet species is also part of the Gesneriaceae family and is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Are German violets poisonous to cats?

German violets (Exacum affine) are another type of commonly grown violet. You may know these beautiful flowers as Arabian gentian or Persian violets. These plants don’t have any toxic principles and won’t affect cats or dogs.

Are Kenya violets toxic to cats?

Also known as the Usambra violet, the Kenya violet (Saintpaulia confuse) isn’t toxic to cats. These plants can be safely grown in your home or flower beds if you have pets.

What to do if your cat has eaten a piece of violet plant?

If your cat eats too much of a plant, even if its not toxic, he may end up with a sore stomach which he’ll soon get over. As violets aren’t toxic to cats you won’t need to worry if your cat has had a nibble on a small piece of the plant. That being said, it is crucial to call your vet if you are at all worried about your pet.

Although African Violets aren’t toxic to cats, it’s worth noting that the plants could still be poisonous if treated with chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. It’s best to buy houseplants from a source known to be organic and only use organic soil amendments if you have pets.

Which plants are toxic to cats?

We often see cats nibbling on greenery, houseplants, and even grass. This behavior is completely normal, but the problem is that some plants are toxic to cats. Cats may suffer from symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea when they eat poisonous plants. To protect our pets, here is a list of the most common plants that are toxic to cats:

Azalea: this plant is used as an ornamental shrub and has beautiful flowers in pink or white. It can be deadly if ingested by a cat. The ingestion of just one leaf can lead to death.

Philodendrons: although Philodendrons are very pretty, they are one of the most toxic plants for cats. If ingested, even small quantities can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Lilies: Lilies are very common flowers that are often used to decorate homes. But if your cat nibbles on them or plays with them, they run the risk of severe liver damage. Cats are very sensitive to lilies, so they should never have any contact with them.

Daffodils: the ingestion of just one bulb is enough to kill a cat. The flowers can cause damage to the digestive system and heart problems.

Related article: Are Daffodils Poisonous to Cats?

Are African violets poisonous to cats? Final thoughts

African violets aren’t poisonous to cats, so you can grow them indoors and out without worrying about your pet. Many common plants are toxic to cats and dogs. Poisonous plants can cause severe problems for cats, so it is vital to protect our pets by keeping them away from toxic plants.

If you suspect that your cat has eaten anything poisonous, contact a vet right away. You can view a full list of toxic plants on the ASPCA website.

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