TLDR: Fortunately, lipstick plant is non-toxic to cats! Despite this fact, you should be aware of some other risks associated with having plants at your cat’s reach, specifically your new lipstick plant.
I was unlucky with plants at home. I used to have Succulents until one day, my beloved cats just threw them from the table they were on and I could never recover them. The only plants I have that thrive are cactuses. They seem to be the only opponents they respect from the plant world.
Therefore, I know this can be a hard endeavor, and if you are more keen on plants you will surely succeed with having a lipstick plant and cats coexisting peacefully.
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Why Does my Cat Eat my Lipstick Plant?
Since the dawn of time, cats have eaten grass and plants as a source of fiber. Nowadays, domestic cats that have a balanced diet may not need to consume plants on a daily basis to satisfy their nutritional needs.
However, this helps with digestion so you can see your cat eating grass every now and then and this is normal. If you have plants at home they could be eating the leaves for one of those reasons.
Additionally, cats have different personalities, and not all of them are attracted to plants in the same way. A cat can taste a plant once, and if they don’t like it, they will probably not eat it again.
Be aware of them playing with the soil, though! Lipstick plants are no exception, and cats can be obsessed with them or totally indifferent.
Other plants such as orchids can be very popular and also very attractive to cats. Watch out! as not all orchids are safe for cats.
Is Lipstick Plant Poisonous to cats?
As we revealed in the introduction: Lipstick plants are non-toxic to cats, as stated by the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
Lipstick plants are generally regarded as pet-friendly plants. They are easy to grow and present no harm to your cats themselves. Despite the Lipstick plant not being toxic, any cat can suffer from gastrointestinal upset or vomiting by eating plants.
Also, big leaves can be a choking hazard for them. It would be best if you also were cautious regarding the soil, fertilizers, and any pest control products you may be using, as this can put your cat in danger.
If you ever suspect that your cat is ill or may have ingested any poisonous substance, calling your vet immediately should be a priority. You can also reach the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) Phone Number: (888) 426-4435
Should You Keep Your Cat Away From Your Lipstick Plant?
As the lipstick plant itself doesn’t present a danger, it is not necessary. However, if your cat keeps eating or tearing the leaves apart and you want to preserve your plant, it would be a good idea to put some distance between them.
What you should bear in mind is what’s on the pot. The components of the soil, fertilizers used, and any pest control product used on your lipstick plant can be harmful to your cat. If you are using any chemicals on the plant, you should move it away from your cat’s reach as soon as possible.
Best Cat-Safe Soil For Lipstick Plants
A great, non-toxic soil that you can use is the African Violet Potting Mix. This is a 100% natural potting mix that is generally recommended for lipstick pants. Plus, it does the job while being completely safe for curious, head-first cats.
As we stated previously, any chemicals can harm your cat. If you intend to add fertilizer to the soil, you need to make sure it is a safe alternative for your cats. You should look for water-soluble fertilizers, preferably chemical-free and/or organic.
How To Keep Your Cat Away From Your Lipstick Plant
There are many ways you can achieve this:
1 – Training Your Cat
Cats are stubborn creatures and are known for not being easy to train. However, the key is to redirect your cat’s attention to something more interesting, until they forget about your lipstick plant because it’s no longer attractive to them.
What you should do the next time you notice them eating the plant is to approach them with a toy they like, and play with them.
Giving them treats whenever they are not engaging with the plant is a good way to achieve this. You can combine this with any cat Repeller sprayed on the plant to discourage them from getting up close.
2 – Change Your Plants Location
This one is the most obvious, but when nothing else works, it’s the only way to proceed. By putting your plant outside your cat’s reach, you will avoid eating and leaf ripping. However, this will only make them redirect their attention to something that they may not expect, and that could potentially be even worse.
3- Get Them Their Own Grass
We mentioned how cats eat grass and plants as a source of fiber and to help digestion. A smart way to make them stop eating your lipstick plant is to get them their own grass. For this, we recommend you get your feline friend a cat grass kit (see the image below for reference)
4- Use Cat Repellent
The use of cat repellent can be combined with training for better results.
Remember that just prohibiting things from your cat won’t change their behavior and that they will redirect their attention where there’s no repellent, and in the end, you won’t be spraying this all around the house.
Conclusions
Thankfully, you can make cats and lipstick plants coexist peacefully! You can have both under the same roof by just considering a few things to avoid any unnecessary unwellness to your cat.
Mark down the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) Phone Number: (888) 426-4435 to fast-access it in case you suspect your cat is intoxicated.
