By April Sanders Zamioculcas zamiifolia is more commonly known as the ZZ plant, because it is a mouthful to say. A pet that comes in contact with a ZZ plant may develop inflammation of the skin, eyes or mucus membranes.If your pet eats part of a ZZ plant, they will experience some discomfort, but should be absolutely fine in the end. If you know which are safe and which are not, you can take appropriate precautions.If you have small children, their safety in your home is paramount. If you have a ZZ plant, place it well out of reach of small children or in an area of your house they do not have access to.Older children can be educated about the toxicity of your ZZ plant, but you will need to judge their understanding and obedience individually, before trusting them to be near a ZZ plant.Both dogs, and especially cats, have great skills in getting to hard to reach areas of your home when they want to, so putting your ZZ plant out of reach isn’t always possible. Cats and dogs tend to dislike the strong odors produced, and will often stay away.You can also spray your ZZ plant with a dilute vinegar solution which will deter all but the most persistent of pets.If you really want to be completely safe, there is always the option of swapping your ZZ plant for a non-toxic alternative. If you suspect that your cat has been playing with or nibbling on your ZZ plant, call your veterinarian immediately, and take a part of the plant with you to the appointment so that the doctor can determine the best course of treatment. This is not true.To learn more about just how toxic the ZZ plant is and how to safely handle and care for it, read on.Your ZZ plant belongs to a poisonous family of plants, the Araceae family. If you are looking for a hardy, low light house plant, the ZZ plant (or A few years ago, there was quite a bit of false information out there on ZZ plants. Even the odd rough treatment from your cat won’t bother the zebra plant.
Various Philodendron and Monstera specimens Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale) Azaleas and Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.) Because it is only hardy outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and 10, many home gardeners choose to grow it indoors, where it thrives even in low light and little water. While this is not strictly necessary, it can be a good idea.The plant actually produces the same substance that human kidney stones consist of, Calcium Oxalate. The best thing to do is to ensure that you stay hydrated while the poison leaves your system.While a ZZ plant can bring about allergies if humans come into contact with its sap, what happens if a pet eats part of the ZZ plant?
And if your cat gets a mouthful of this plant, he could be seriously injured: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.The ZZ plant is prized for its tough nature -- Jennifer Schultz Nelson, horticulturist with the University of Illinois, calls it "almost indestructible" -- and for its attractive form. The amount of sap that one would have to ingest would be very significant to cause more than tummy upset. ZZ is a member of the Aracaeae family, most of which contain varying amounts of calcium oxalate, a toxin. Zamioculcas zamiifolia is more commonly known as the ZZ plant, because it is a mouthful to say. Encouraging your pet to eat can help the body pass the plant and toxins. There are some important steps that you can take to ensure that your ZZ plant is safe for all the occupants of your house.Just as you have done by reading this article, knowing which of your houseplants is toxic is half the battle. Many people think that because their cats and dogs are smaller than they are, that the ZZ plant can have more of an impact.The truth of the matter is that ZZ plants are poisonous, but not lethally toxic to pets. smartgardenguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other Amazon stores worldwide.Is A ZZ Plant Poisonous? (And How To Grow Them Safely)Phalaenopsis Orchid Care For Beginners (Easy Guide)
If you have overly curious cats or dogs, perhaps avoid bringing the plant into your home or move it to an area where pets won’t have access to it.ZZ plants are beautiful and very popular houseplants, and most people can keep them in their home very safely, even in the presence of pets and children. This is what causes skin irritation on contact with the sap and can cause irritation of the internal tissues if ingested.While all parts of the ZZ plant produce Calcium Oxalate, it would be unlikely that it could kill you.
However, it is important to wash your hands directly after touching the plant to ensure that there is no residue or sap that could cause skin irritation, get into your eyes, or unwittingly end up in your mouth.Some believe that you must use gloves when handling a ZZ plant.
You can expect your dog or cat to have a stomach ache and a bad case of diarrhea.