Is Majesty Palm Toxic To Cats?

by Hayley
Is Majesty Palm Toxic To Cats

Majesty palms are one of the most commonly preferred houseplants by many homeowners. It’s low-maintenance, easy to grow and take care of, and, not to mention, comes with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

However, is this the same case for cat owners? Considering that there are several houseplants that are possibly toxic and harmful to a cat’s health, it’s just right that you take a lot of caution before bringing any kind of plant into your own home.

Now, the question is, is Majesty Palm toxic to cats? Is this one of the plants that you should be wary of?

Why Is My Cat Obsessed With Majesty Palm

Is Majesty Palm Poisonous To Cats?

Is Majesty Palm toxic to cats? Is it poisonous? Will it harm your feline friend’s health?

If you’re one of those who are extremely worried about how Majesty Palms can affect your cat, then you will be glad to know that the said houseplant is far from being toxic to felines and animals in general.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, also known as the ASPCA, has confirmed that Majesty Palms are non-toxic to animals since they don’t contain any harmful chemicals or compounds in its leaves, roots, or stems, or any of its parts.

All in all, this means that the plant is not a health hazard to felines at all. Nothing will happen even if your cat chews the plant, goes near it, smell its natural scent, and likes it.


Why Is My Cat Obsessed With Majesty Palm?

It’s actually a normal and rather often occurrence for cats to obsess over houseplants, especially Majesty Palms.

Sometimes, it’s simply because the feline is very curious about its surroundings, but there are other cases wherein the cat simply loves being around the said plant. What can possibly be the reason behind these? Take a look at the following sections.

Your Cat Is Overly Curious About Majesty Palm’s Structure

The Majesty Palm Plant doesn’t have its name for no reason. With majestic leaves, comparatively tall height, accompanied by a rather distinct smell, it’s a given that cats will be drawn to the plant.

Since the structure is new to their eyes, you should expect that they will cling to and hang around it until they satisfy their curiosity. This is also the part where they will try to sniff and eat whatever part they can reach from the plant.

This would be a typical case if you got the plant just recently. More often than not, your cat’s curious behavior around the Majesty Palm is just a phase and won’t last long. You simply need to wait until your cat gets used to it.

Majesty Palms Greatly Resemble The Nature And Outdoors

Majesty Palms are tropical plants. This is reflected by their overall appearance and faint nature-like scent. They also have a lot of tree-like purposes, considering their generous shade and air-cleaning properties.

This being said, it’s an understatement to say that Majesty Palms greatly resemble the nature and outdoors. It’s one of the most evident reasons why a cat may genuinely like being around the said houseplant.

This is most commonly the case for domestic cats and generally those felines who are fans of the outdoors. Norwegian cats, Savannahs, Bengals, and likes, are some of the breeds that may also fit these scenarios.

The Feline May Like How The Majesty Palm Moves

No matter if you’re knowledgeable about plants or not, it’s easy to notice how graceful the movements of Majesty Palms are, especially when blown by the wind.

This is another thing that cats may also be a fan of, so if your Majesty Palm is placed near an open area like a window or balcony, there’s a high chance that your cat enjoys watching the plant move. Note, though, that you need to look into the safety of your cat if the plant really is near an open area where they can fall or get out to.


What Happens If A Cat Eats A Majesty Palm?

Since Majesty Palms aren’t toxic to cats, it’s uncommon for them to have any kind of health issue or complication if they happen to eat a part of the plant. Still, this won’t always be the case. Like any other, there are also risks that you have to look out for. The key is to observe your cat closely.

That said, the following sections will walk you through the said risks you need to be mindful of:

Digestive Issues

It’s a common issue for cats, especially kittens and those with sensitive stomachs, to have digestive issues when they eat too many leaves from the Majesty Palm. Diarrhea, constipation, and stomachache are just some of the things that they may experience if this happens.

Keep in mind that these don’t usually involve serious health concerns. However, it’s still important that you keep a close eye on your feline once you think that they are suffering from the said digestive issues. Take them to the vet as soon as possible if you notice that they have blood on their stools, are displaying lethargy, or any other symptom that doesn’t look normal.

Risk Of Choking

There are some felines that don’t stop eating and chewing things just for the sake of it. This also applies to those that chew on the leaves of various houseplants like Majesty Palms.

That said, if the behavior is left unmanaged, you’re exposing your cat to the risk of choking. It may seem like choking on leaves is close to impossible, but it actually happens a lot. Remember that a cat’s overall anatomy is different and a lot more sensitive than that of a human’s, so they are more prone to choking compared to others.


Tips For How To Keep Cats Away From Majesty Palm

Even if Majesty Palms aren’t toxic to cats, it doesn’t mean that you can just leave your feline be whenever it tries to play with the plant. If so, then you’re simply training it to get used to continuously nibbling on the plant’s leaves and possibly ruining the entire plant and its growth.

Fortunately, there are a few tips that you can follow to keep your cats away from your Majesty Palm and your other houseplants. Below are some:

Surround The Majesty Palm With Citrus Fruit Peels

Cats aren’t really big fans of citrus fruits and their scents. Once they get a sniff of it, expect that they will leave the area immediately. That said, you can use this as a way to repel your cats away from your plants. Use the peels of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons and place them around your plants, specifically on their soil. This should be enough to keep felines away.

Consider Growing Catnips As Alternative

Cats will continuously try to find plants and grass to chew and nibble on. Hence, you should definitely consider growing catnips around your home. They will be more drawn to these than Majesty Palms, which means that it’s an efficient solution to keep your cats away from the latter.

Alternatively, you can provide other options for your cat to entertain themselves. Take toys, for example.

Spray Diluted Vinegar Around The Plant’s Area

The scent of vinegar is another one of those that can keep cats away. This makes it another good answer for your goal.

To do this, pour water into a spray bottle, and add a little bit of vinegar. Don’t add too much since it can get too acidic for your plants. At the same time, don’t add too little in the sense that it won’t have any scent at all.

After measuring, you’ll end up with diluted vinegar in a spray bottle. Afterward, spray the vinegar on the plants’ pot and the surrounding area. Don’t spray directly to the soil and leaves to avoid accidentally killing the plant.


Conclusion

So, is Majesty Palm toxic to cats?

The answer that you’re looking for is no. Majesty Palms don’t have any harmful toxins and chemicals in its roots, leaves, or stem. Hence, this houseplant will work just well with your feline.

Just note that you may still face issues in the long run. The most common involves having chewed on leaves and destroyed plants. Cats that happen to ingest too many leaves may also have diarrhea. This is common in kittens. To avoid this, it’s best to take precautionary measures to prevent your cat from being all over your Majesty Palm.

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