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Is Sedum Poisonous to Cats? Common Houseplants Examined

Written by: Patricia Dickson

Last Updated on January 10, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Sedum Succulent

Is Sedum Poisonous to Cats? Common Houseplants Examined

When it comes to succulents and cats, you can never be too careful. The last thing you want is for something growing in your garden or that you bring into your home to make your furry friend sick or worse.

Luckily, sedum is one of the succulents that aren’t poisonous to cats. However, some succulents are toxic not only to your feline but also to dogs and horses.

In this article, we’ll discuss what sedum is and what it’s used for, and then we’ll examine the succulents you’ll want to avoid and a few others that are safe to have around your animals.

divider-catclaw1 What Are Sedum Succulents?

Sedum Succulent
Image Credit: Pixabay

Sedum is also known as stonecrop. Officially called the Sedum genus, the succulent is made up of several hundred succulents and is used for groundcover in gardens and houseplants. It stores water in its fleshy leaves and is exceptionally hardy. Sedums require very little care for them to thrive indoors.

Although sedums are safe to keep in your home around your cats, any cat can have an allergic reaction to a succulent. If you feel that sedum succulents have made your cat sick, it’s best to make an appointment with your vet to be on the safe side.

What Are the Symptoms to Watch Out For?

If you think that sedum succulents are upsetting your cat’s stomach, there are a few symptoms you need to watch out for.

  • Vomiting
  • Upset stomach
  • Seizures
  • Diarrhea

While sedum succulents aren’t toxic to cats, there are quite a few succulents out there that are. Below, we’ll give you a brief list of the toxic succulents for your cat and then a list of the ones that are safest to have around your feline pals.

Cat ball divider 1

Which Succulents Should You Keep Away from Your Feline?

Some succulents are more dangerous than others. It’s a good idea to download the ASPCA’s toxic plant list and use it every time you decide to bring a new plant home. Many pet owners are surprised at the number of succulents on the list that are dangerous to their pets.

You can also ask the nursery owners for additional care tips and information on how the species can be kept without harming your pets. However, there are a few succulents that you should avoid at all costs.

Aloe Vera

aloe vera plant
Image By: Nevada31, shutterstock

While great for sunburn, cuts, and cosmetic reasons, aloe vera isn’t the best thing to keep around your cats. If your cat eats the aloe vera plant, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Most cases of aloe vera toxicity are mild to moderate, but that depends on the amount your cat ingests before you notice.

Other Succulents to Avoid

  • Jade
  • Crown of Thorns
  • Kalanchoe
  • Pencil Cactus
  • Scorpion plant

Which Succulents Are Safe to Have Around Your Feline?

Ponytail plant
Image By: Alexas_Fotos, Pixabay

While it’s sad that you can’t keep all succulents in your home, at least there are quite a few that you can have.

  • Houseleeks
  • Haworthia
  • Burro’s Tail
  • Ponytail Palm
  • Holiday Cacti
  • Ruby Heart
  • And more

If you’re unsure which succulents are safe to have around your cat, you can discuss them with your vet or check out the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.

How Can I Keep My Cat Safe?

You can restrict access to the plants, so your cat is not tempted to swipe or bite the sedums.

It’s best to keep the succulents in a room with a locked door since fallen leaves are seen as toys by many cats and can still make them sick. Elevating your sedums in plant baskets can also help, but you’ll have to check the floor underneath for fallen leaves and blooms frequently.

divider-catclaw1 Wrapping Up

Researching the succulents and worrying about which ones are safe for your cat can be overwhelming and scary. Luckily, you can prevent your furry friend from eating succulents that could harm them by researching the particular species before you go to the plant nursery.

It’s best to give away any plants that could hurt your animals, but if you decide to keep them instead, put them where your cats, dogs, and other animals can’t reach them. If your cat is poisoned by a succulent, get them to an emergency vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment.


Featured Image Credit: Pixabay

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