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

A bonsai tree symbolises tranquillity and is a part of nature’s beauty in our homestead. Not only are these miniature, carefully cultivated trees pleasant to look at, but they also represent patience and dedicated gardening.

But for many cat owners, there is usually always a worry that some certain plants in the house might be harmful.

Are bonsai trees safe for cats to have? This is a question most pet owners think of when pondering the idea of adding bonsai to their indoor garden.

Bonsai trees are surprisingly safe for cats, and this article can help explain which species might be a danger to your feline friend and how you can keep them safe. So let’s dive on: Are bonsai trees toxic to cats?

What Are Bonsai Trees?

Miniature trees are small decorative trees that have been closely cultivated and pruned to be small. Although the word ‘Bonsai’ is Japanese, the practice of growing such trees has been practiced for over one thousand years and has been held in many cultures.

There are numerous species from which you can grow bonsai trees, some of which include junipers, maple, ficus, and pine, all of which present a distinct look.

If someone had asked me what bonsai growing was about, I might have described it as trimming and shaping the tree, procedure and even place, but it’s really about caring for it continually, if not forever, about its health and appearance.

Toxicity in Plants: What Does It Mean?

In discussing plant toxicity, it is necessary to define just what it means for a plant to be ‘toxic’ to an animal. Chemical compounds in toxic plants can be injurious to animals that eat them or handle them.

These toxins can cause mild gastrointestinal distress to life threatening poisonous effects in cats.

The type of plant, the size of the cat, the cat’s general health, and the amount ingested all make a difference in toxic reactions in cats.

Are Bonsai trees toxic to cats?

While not all bonsai trees are harmful to cats, some are very dangerous.

There are some species that may irritate your cat’s digestive system, especially if it has sharp leaves or sticky sap and can also cause more serious symptoms.

Although most of the popular bonsai trees grown are not poisonous, there are a few exceptions consuming them can trigger a toxic reaction.

Pet owners need to be aware of what types of bonsai they are bringing into their home and ascertain what risks their possible pet has.

Safety of Cats With Common Bonsai Trees

• Ficus Bonsai: Many of the ficus trees are used as the bonsai, a well known one is Ficus retusa. But they can be onerous for cats. Ficus plants, which grow efficiently on indoors, can irritate the digestive tract when consumed because the leaves and sap have compounds that can also cause oral discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Symptoms may be worse if large amounts are eaten.
  
• Juniper Bonsai: Another favourite for indoor gardening is the Juniper bonsai. The good news is juniper is not usually toxic for cats. Yet, eating too many juniper leaves can upset the stomach, however, it never hurts to keep the plant out of reach.
  
• Other Bonsai Species: Trees used in bonsai come in many varieties and are of different levels of toxicity. For example, pines, maples, and elms are considered safe trees, while azaleas, oleander, and sago palms (when grown as bonsai) are known to be toxic to cats.

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Some bonsai trees are toxic to cats

The toxicity of a plant comes from certain chemicals in the plant tree, in the leaves, stem, roots or sap.

Alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, or other toxins from these compounds may lead to adverse reactions when ingested.

Compounds in bonsai trees like milky sap or aromatic oils can be inflammatory to your cat’s gi tract and may result in vomiting, drooling, and possibly irreversible organ damage.

Compounds that affect the nervous system are also found in some trees.

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How are bonsai trees so deadly to cats?

There are several ways by which cats can ingest toxic parts of the bonsai tree. Chewing on the tree leaves, branches, or bark is most common.

Cats are smart creatures, and they’ll nibble on a bonsai tree simply because it’s within their reach and there’s nothing else to do.

Also, exposure to parts of the plant may produce skin or mouth irritation, though ingesting is more likely to cause severe symptoms.

Symptoms usually occur within hours, although sometimes it may take longer when a cat eats a toxic plant.

Symptoms are usually vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and loss of appetite. If symptoms are more severe, or in conjunction with other severe symptoms, it may lead to problems such as tremors, seizures, or organ failure.

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What to Do if a Bonsai Cat Eats a Bonsai Tree.

Act fast if you believe your cat has taken a bite (or gulped) from a toxic part of a bonsai tree. The first thing you can do is get any other plant material out of your cat’s environment.

Next, attempt to see what type of plant it ate and how much. If possible, hose one down and keep a sample of the plant (or a photo) as a reference.

Always call your veterinarian immediately. If the veterinarian, however, suspects that the dog may have taken in toxins, he or she may recommend inducing vomiting or administering activated charcoal to prevent the toxins from being absorbed.

As the poisoning is severe, the vet might have to give intravenous fluids or any other medicines. In these situations, time is of the essence.

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Preventing Poisoning: Safe Bonsai Tree Practices

The best course of action then is to prevent poisoning in cats. One easy way to do this is to put your bonsai where the cat can’t get to it.

You might want to put it on top of high shelves, hang it with the ceiling, or use a protective barrier around the plant.

Another hesitancy with your cat for the plants is due to his curiosity, so you can pick non toxic bonsai varieties or just give up on having any plants at all.

Along with that, you need to make sure your home is filled with safe plants. Plenty of indoor plants are non-toxic to cats, they will not harm them if they nibble on them.

Remember that it’s always better to prevent a poisoning occurrence than to deal with it.

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Alternatives to Toxic Bonsai Trees

If you have a cat and like the look of bonsai trees but want to avoid the risk, look for non toxic subscript.

The Bamboo Palm, Spider Plant and Areca Palm are among some of the safer options. They even can be pruned and shaped like you would bonsai trees with no worries of poisoning your pet.

The Norfolk Island Pine is a really good alternative. It has a tree like appearance and is safe for cats.

There are also many other indoor plants, like the Boston Fern and African Violet, that offer lots of lush greenery and aren’t toxic to cats at all.

wrap up on Are Bonsai Trees Toxic to Cats?

While some bonsai trees are totally safe to keep in cat owned homes, it is important to know what species to avoid.

Ranges from mild irritation to life threatening poisoning and you need to know the potential risks and take preventive measures.

Luckily, there are many bonsai tree varieties that are safe for your cat to have around, or you can select non-toxic bonsai trees to enjoy in your home.

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FAQ: Are Bonsai Trees Toxic to Cats?