Are Hoyas Toxic to Cats? Pet Parent Should Ask a Vet

Are you a cat lover? Many plant enthusiasts and pet owners are wondering if certain houseplants are safe for their furry friends and if they are non-toxic to our loving pets.

Hoyas are the attractive foliage and fragrant flowers which make popular indoor gardening. If you’re a cat owner, though it is important to know if these plants could be dangerous to your feline friend.

In today’s article, we will describe whether hoyas are safe for cats, how toxic they are and what the symptoms of ingestion are as well as give you some tips to leave your house green and pet friendly. Let’s see are hoyas toxic to cats?

What are Hoyas?

Wax plants, or hoyas, are the flowering plants of the Apocynaceae family. We are famous for these waxy leaves and sweet smelling flowers, which make us a houseplant hobbyist favourite.

They are rather easy care plants and can grow in a number of indoor situations, which makes them a good choice for beginners as well as experienced gardeners.

Definition and Common Names (Eponyms)

Wax plants, hoya, are named this way for the waxy texture of their leaves. Sometimes they are also called porcelain flowers or simply hoyas.

Physical Characteristics

Hoyas have thick waxy leaves, and they can be shaped and are sizes also depending on the variety. Their beauty and scent are so famous that they produce clusters of small, fragrant flowers.

Popular Varieties

The hoya carnosas, hoya australis, and hoya kerrii are among the most popular hoya varieties. Each of these varieties has distinguishing features of its own, but they all have one thing in common, they are fairly safe for pets.

Toxicity of Hoyas to Cats

When it comes to the safety of hoyas for cats, the consensus among veterinary and plant experts is clear: Usually, hoyas are non toxic.

The chemical components of hoya plants.

Although hoya plants are non toxic they do contain certain chemical compounds like cardiac glycosides, causing heart and body related functions to be disturbed, if taken in large amounts.

The concentration of the compounds in hoya plants is usually minimal and therefore unlikely to cause more severe cases of toxicity.

Animals (ASPCA) and veterinary guidelines

According to experts from major animal health organisations like the ASPCA, hoya plants are not toxic to cats or other pets. This is based on extensive research and veterinary guidelines that ensure these plants are safe in households with pets.

Symptoms of Hoya Ingestion in Cats

Hoyas aren’t toxic, however, if you have a feline friend, ingesting large amounts of the plant material can upset its little tummy.

A mild gastrointestinal upset will usually occur.

Hoya ingestion is fairly common in cats and is characterised by the most often occurring symptoms, mild gastrointestinal upset like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The symptoms from eating the plant material are usually temporary and not bad because it is just not digestible not toxic.

In rare cases, severe symptoms may occur.

If a cat swallows a fairly large amount of hoya plant material, the rare exception is that the cat could be more ill and have symptoms of diarrhoea, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat, etc. Such severe cases are rare and typically require immediate veterinary care.

Behavioural Changes

In cats which have consumed hoya plant material, lethargy, or a lack of interest in normal activities may also be seen.

Some of these changes may be temporary but they should be watched carefully to make sure the cat is fine.

Also read: Are Delectables Good for Cats? 5 Vet’s Honest Opinion

Varieties of Hoya and its Safety for Cats

There are several popular hoya varieties that are safe for cats, but that doesn’t mean they’re the same.

Hoya Carnosa

Carnosa, the hoya, often recognised for its waxy leaves and its sweet smelling flower is non toxic to cats.

However, in large quantities ingested they can sometimes cause mild digestive upset if consumed.

Hoya Australis

Another non toxic Hoya variety is Hoya australis. Ingesting large amounts (much like other hoya varieties) may cause some stomach discomfort but isn’t considered harmful.

Hoya kerrii

It’s also sometimes referred to as the sweetheart hoya and is safe for plants. However, other types of hoya can produce a mild tummy upset if eaten by a pet in quantity.

Also read: Are Daylilies Toxic to Cats? 7 Vet Tips for Pet Owners

Preventive Measures to Keep Cats Safe

This is a simple rearrangement for homogeneity. Hoyas are non toxic, but you should take precautions similar to those for any other interesting plant that could be toxic.

Placement of Hoya Plants

If you keep hoya plants in places which are difficult to reach for your cat, such as high shelves or hanging baskets, your cat is less likely to ingest them accidentally.

This little trick can help to lower the risk of any adverse reaction.

Natural Deterrents

You can use natural deterrents such as citrus peels or vinegar spray around the plant base to deter cats from your plants. These scents are generally abhorred by cats, and they will therefore stay away from an area where these plants are planted.

Supervision and Training

Thin leaves are rarely fatal to cats, but you can monitor your cat’s interaction with plants and gently discourage chewing, just in case. An effective long term solution is training your cat to avoid plants altogether.

Also read: Are Bonsai Trees Toxic to Cats? Best 7 Vet-Backed Facts

Comparison with Other Houseplants

Not all houseplants are safe for cats like hoyas. Knowing what makes other common houseplants toxic can help you make an informed decision when shopping for your indoor garden.

Toxic vs. Non Toxic Plants

Plants such as aloe vera, lilies, and snake plants are both, toxic to cats and the many more common house plants. If ingested, these plants can cause severe symptoms and should be avoided in homes with pets.

5 Toxic Houseplants for Cats

For example, aloe vera contains anthraquinone glycosides and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy in cats.

It’s particularly dangerous as ingestion of them can cause severe kidney damage. Knowing these toxic plants helps you make a kitty safe environment.

Also read: Will Bed Bugs Bite Cats? Vet-Approved Solutions

Health Implications for Cats

Knowing the health implications of hoya ingestion will help you respond properly if your cat ingests some of the plant material.

Immediate Symptoms

The immediate symptoms of hoya ingestion usually involve mild gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Usually, the symptoms are mild and transient and should be watched for, except that they do not escalate.

Long-Term Effects

In very rare cases, if the cat has ingested a lot of hoya material, there may be long term effects like irregular heart rhythm or other cardiac problems. These cases are however, very rare and almost always require immediate veterinary care.

How Do You Know When to Seek Veterinary Care?

If your cat has eaten the hoya plant and has persistent or difficult to deal with symptoms, you should take your cat to a vet. Excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, lethargy, or a baby who is breathing hard is a sign of something more serious, and a veterinarian should be contacted immediately.

Also read: What Can Mosquito Bites Cause in Cats and Dogs? – 7 Vet Advice

Hoyas to Keep Away from Pets

If you take proper care and maintenance of hoya plants, you will ensure the safety of your plants from your pets.

Handling and Pruning

When working with hoya plants or during pruning, you will want to be careful not to handle them or get near any irritants, such as the milky sap sometimes found in certain types of hoya plants. Mild irritation to humans, including those with latex allergies, as well as pets will occur if one comes into contact with this sap.

Dissolved Oxygen and Water Quality: Soil and Fertilizer Considerations

For hoya plants, the soil and fertilizer should also be pet safe. Dry, sandy areas where cats can dig often are problematic if they have harmful substances in the soil.

You can help prevent any problems, which could include the use of pet safe fertilizers and covering your soil with sharp gravel or decorative glass pebbles.

Mulching and Decorative Tips.

If you want to deter cats from digging in hoya pots, consider placing sharp gravel or decorative glass pebbles so that they’ll mulch the soil instead.

Another way to help make the home safer is to avoid placing decorative planters or baskets on the ground where cats will be able to jump or climb onto.

wrap up on Are Hoyas Toxic to Cats

Finally, we conclude that hoyas are usually safe for cats and for this reason, they can be an awesome choice for pet friendly families.

Large amounts of hoya plant may be ingested, and although it can cause mild gastrointestinal upset, the symptoms are generally temporary and not serious.

According to veterinary guidelines, Hoyas are non toxic to cats. Ingestion of large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Preventing this is almost as simple as placing the plants out of reach or even using (natural) deterrents.

Designing a pet friendly garden must go beyond choosing plants that are non toxic and deciding where they go too. Knowing the safety profiles of different houseplants and some precautions will help you have the pleasure of indoor gardening and the safety of your feline friends.

Hoyas are a viable and pretty choice for anyone whatever their expertise level; plant novice or seasoned gardener, hoyas have you covered.

Also read: Can Cats Eat Strawberries? A Complete Guide to Cats

FAQ: Are Hoyas Toxic to Cats