cat and bamboo

Are Bamboo Plants Poisonous To Cats?

Bamboo plants are a great way to brighten up any home. However, if you own a cat, you probably know that they are very curious creatures! So if you’re thinking of bringing a bamboo plant into your home, you can be sure your cat’s curiosity will get the better of them, and they’ll take a bite from your new bamboo plant.

It’s a good idea to do your research first before buying any new house plants, to see if they are toxic to your feline friend. So, are Bamboo plants poisonous to cats? Are they safe?

Well, you’re in luck because although many plants that you may have around your house are poisonous and toxic to your cat, thankfully the Bamboo plant is not one of them. Though please be aware, that if you have Lucky bamboo, then that’s a different story which I will talk about in a minute.

bamboo house plant

What Is a Bamboo Plant?

According to BambooImport.com, Bamboo belongs to the Bambusoideae subfamily of the perennial evergreen grass family Poaceae (Gramineae). Yes, contrary to popular belief bamboo is actually a type of grass, crazy right?

Bamboo, however, is very important to the endangered rainforests of the world thanks to its wonderful ability to grow at astonishing rates. This allows for Bamboo to become a forest itself if left growing.

Because of this, it is important to remember that although bamboo is great looking and looks cool as a backdrop in the yard and even gives you some added privacy, it can grow so fast that it can be hard to manage the growth over time. It is important to plan ahead when planting bamboo around the house.

Is Lucky Bamboo The Same as Normal Bamboo?

lucky bamboo

No, believe it or not, Lucky bamboo has no relation to real bamboo at all. It’s an imitation plant that is used widely to increase Feng Shui. Its proper name is Dracaena sanderiana, and has very similar looking stork and stems to regular bamboo.

According to the ASPCA, Lucky bamboo is poisonous to cats. So if you suspect your cat may have ingested your Lucky bamboo, it’s best to consult your local veterinarian. Symptoms that your cat may have eaten the plant include drooling, vomiting, no appetite, abdominal pain, increased heart-rate, incoordination, and weakness.

What Will Happen If My Cat Eats Bamboo?

When growing bamboo outside, it will quickly be all over the place thanks to its fast growth rate and sometimes cats will tend to chew on the ends of the bamboo as it may feel good on their teeth. If your cat happens to swallow some bamboo there is likely nothing to worry about as bamboo is basically a thick grass and has nothing in it that is toxic.

The only danger to bamboo is that it might be difficult to chew and your cat could have a hard time digesting it. You should really just worry about the other common outdoor plants that could be hiding in between the bamboo.

Other Common Poisonous Plants To Watch For

What To Do If My Cat Eats A Poisonous Plant?

cat hiding in bamboo

If your cat happens to eat one of the poisonous plants above, it is important to find out the type of plant it was that they ingested. If they aren’t showing symptoms right away, it is best to wait for at least 6 to 12hrs to see if anything happens. Sometimes giving your cat milk after eating a poisonous plant can help lessen the effects of the toxins.

If your cat starts to show symptoms of plant toxicity. It is best to call (888) 426-4435 or visit the Pet Poison Hotline. After doing so you should call or visit your local Veterinarian for expert consultation and treatment.

Treatment of Plant Poisoning in Cats could include starting an IV and giving fluids and medication, Gastric Lavage(Pumping of stomach contents), giving Activated Charcoal which helps absorb the toxins in the GI tract, and a hospital stay for a day or two.

Summary

I hope you have learned everything and more when it comes to Bamboo plants and cats.

Remember, that normal Bamboo plants are not toxic to cats at all, but they can be hard to chew and digest if shallowed by your cat. Lucky bamboo, on the other hand, should be kept away from your cat as it is toxic. So it’s best to find a safer alternative plant to Lucky bamboo.

Scroll to Top
Scroll to Top