Find Your Ask the Expert: Is Lucky Bamboo poisonous to cats?
Have received a Lucky Bamboo plant, need to know if it will make my cats sick—since they believe plants are there to be eaten. Dallas
Plant Expert Reply:
According to the ASPCA Dracaena sanderiana (lucky bamboo or ribbon plant) can be harmful to cats. If ingested, it causes dilated pupils, abdominal pain, increased heart-rate and drooling. Cats who ingest lucky bamboo will show signs of depression, no appetite, drooling, vomiting, incoordination and weakness. If you think your cat has ingested lucky bamboo, call your veterinarian for recommendations on how to handle the toxin.
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If the bamboo plant is ingested by a cat, do u recommend any solutions?
Call your vet. They may want the cat to throw up the lucky bamboo or they may have something they can give the cat to combat any adverse reactions.
What can I do to my leaves to help my plant to keep growing after my cats have chewed on it..
There isn’t much you can do for the leaves, except trim them. Keep in mind that Lucky Bamboo can be harmful to cats, so you will want to move it to a location out of their reach if possible and contact your vet if they appear to be having adverse side effects.
I have moved my plant, but I’m wondering if there is a certain way I need to trim them to make sure they keep growing and not kill them.
Make sure to sterilize your scissors or shears with rubbing alcohol prior to cutting the leaves. Then use the natural shape of the leaves to trim off the damage. Only trim off the damaged parts and try to avoid cutting into the green healthy part of the leaves too much. If you need to remove the entire leaf, cut if off where the leaf base meets the stem of your bamboo.
Thanks I’ll try that.
Hey Adam!
Thanks for your comment. Though Lucky Bamboo is not listed by its common name on the ASPCA list of Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants, it is a member of the Dracaena species, which is known to be harmful to dogs and cats. This link will give you some more information: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/dracaena
My cat has eatin my lucky bamboo plant and has been throwing up and not eating or drinking. Will this pass or should I have him seen by his vet?
Hi Briahna! Some bamboo species can be poisonous to cats. Hope everything is well with your furry friend! :)
My cat didn’t eat the bamboo leaves, more of just chewed on it. Is there anything that I can do to help my leaves be healthy again?
Hi Mark,
We have some great tips on how to care for you lucky bamboo here: https://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/flower-plant-care/plant-care/caring-for-lucky-bamboo-dracaena-sanderiana/