If you are a new cat parent and are planning to buy or grow a bamboo plant in your house, then the questions like — is bamboo toxic to cats? Is bamboo poisonous to cats? — must’ve struck your mind.
Well, the answer to that question may seem pretty straightforward at first, but the latter might not be. And since bamboo is one of the plants that cat parents are generally confused about — in this post, we’ll unfold the mystery of whether bamboo is safe for cats or not.
Keep reading to find the answer!
Is Bamboo Safe for Cats?
The short answer is yes, bamboo is safe for cats. In fact, bamboo — also known by its scientific name Phyllostachys aurea — has been listed as a non-toxic plant for cats by ASPCA. However, there are other varieties of bamboo plants that contain dangerous chemicals which can be harmful to cats.
With that said, if you are looking for a new cat-safe plant for your living room, bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) can be a great way of bringing a breath of fresh air and a new decorative member in your home.
Can Bamboo Leaves Be Poisonous to Cats?
The bamboo leaves contain mild toxicity, and they can be harmful to cats only if they ingest them. With added fertilizers, the plant becomes unsafe for cats, and it should be kept out of the pet’s reach. Likewise, the leaves of lucky bamboo are what you need to watch out for, as they are highly toxic to cats.
Lucky bamboo contains chemicals such as taxiphyllin and saponins, which can cause your cat to show some serious symptoms. All in all, you should never let your pet chew on bamboo leaves.
When Can Bamboo Be Poisonous to Cats?
Generally, bamboo as a whole is not considered harmful or poisonous to cats. It is true that Bambusoideae species of bamboos are not only non-toxic to cats but also dogs and horses. However, the fertilizers contained in plants can be toxic to cats.
If you didn’t know, most plant fertilizers make use of chemicals that can be highly toxic to a cat’s health in case of ingestion. Thus, you should be careful if you are using fertilizers for your bamboo. Make sure you keep the plant pot away from your cat’s reach.
Non-toxic Plants With “Bamboo” in Their Name
There are certain plants with “bamboo” in their name, and this can be confusing for some cat owners to find out if they are safe or toxic to their feline friends.
Here’s a table of plants that contains “bamboo” in their name and are considered safe for cats:
| Scientific Name | Other Names |
| Phyllostachys aurea | Bamboo, Golden Bamboo, Fishpole Bamboo |
| Chamaedorea elegans | Reed Palm, Bamboo Palm, Miniature Fish Tail Dwarf Palm, Parlor Palm, Good Luck Palm. |
| Smilax laurifolia | Bamboo Vine, Blaspheme vine, Laurel-leaved Greenbrier |
| Smilax walteria | Red Berried Greenbrier, Red Berried Bamboo |
Toxic Plants With “Bamboo” in Their Name
Apart from the non-toxic plants with “bamboo” in their name, there are also plants that contain “bamboo” in their name but can be toxic to cats.
Here’s a table of plants that contains “bamboo” in their name and can be toxic to cats:
| Scientific Name | Other Names |
| Nandina Domestica | Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina, and Sacred Bamboo |
| Dracaena spp | Lucky Bamboo, Corn Plant, Dracaena, Ribbon Plant, Cornstalk Plant, The Money Tree and the Dragon Tree |
These plants can be poisonous to cats and dogs, so you should make sure your cat does not go near them. In case of ingestion, these plants can cause mild to moderate poisoning, but this also depends on the size of your cat, health, and the amount of the toxic plant they ate.
Common symptoms can include:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Dilated pupils
- Drooling
- Incoordination
- Vomiting
- Weakness
If you think your cat is showing any of these symptoms, you should consult your vet right away.
Can Lucky Bamboo Make Cats Sick?
There are a lot of plants that contain the word “bamboo” but they are not bamboo at all. However, some plants such as the lucky bamboo and sacred bamboo can be highly toxic to cats, especially the shoots.
Also known by its scientific name — Dracaena spp, lucky bamboo contains steroidal saponins, which can be harmful to cats. In case of ingestion, lucky bamboo can cause a cat to show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, abdominal pain, and drooling.
Lucky bamboo is also known by other names such as — corn plant, dracaena, ribbon plant, cornstalk plant, money tree, and dragon tree. Thus, lucky bamboo is harmful to cats, and they should not go near such plants.
Is Bamboo Palm Safe for Cats?
Bamboo palms are also known by their scientific name Chamaedorea seifrizii, are considered safe for cats. Furthermore, bamboo palms are known by other names, such as reed palm and parlor palm.
Palm bamboos usually grow naturally in Mexico and Central America, in regions where there is humid air and the sun is bright throughout the day.
These plants are one of the most popular indoor plants and are fairly easy to maintain. It can grow in low-light settings, but it can grow better in brighter light as well.
It is a luscious plant, plus it is also safe around cats and kittens.
How to Prevent Your Cat From Eating Bamboo?
You should not let your cat eat bamboo, despite these plants are safe around your cats. And although bamboos are completely safe for cats, no cat parents would like their beautiful bamboo chewed on by their furry pal.
Felines sometimes chew houseplants, and the reason can be because they are bored, or because they’re attracted to the texture or the smell. However, cats may like the taste of such plants, including bamboo, and they might not be able to resist, so they keep coming back for a few nibbles.
One of the best things you can do to prevent your cat from chewing your bamboo is to spray lemon juice on the plant. Cat’s dislike the smell of citrus, and it can be used as an effective cat deterrent.
In addition, other options can include compressed air deterrent sprays or sprays with pepper smell.
Conclusion
So, is bamboo toxic to cats? The short answer is no; bamboo is safe for cats. Especially, the regular bamboo, with the scientific name phyllostachys aurea — has been listed as a non-toxic plant for cats.
However, another type of bamboo such as lucky bamboo is toxic to cats, it is also known by another name — sacred bamboo. Therefore, in order to determine whether a specific type of bamboo is safe for your cat or not, you need to know its scientific name.
In conclusion, to understand whether a specific kind of bamboo is non-toxic to your cat, you need to know that it really depends on the particular variety.
Reference
- Bamboo — ASPCA
- Lucky bamboo plants and cats — Cuteness
- Are bamboo plants poisonous to pets? — The Nest