Are Neanthe Bella Palms Poisonous to Cats? The Facts & FAQ

Many people adore having house plants because they improve the appearance of the environment and can help clean the air in the home. Unfortunately, our precious cats can also greatly limit the plants most people can keep. This is because a considerable number of houseplants are toxic to cats, ranging from causing oral discomfort to death.

It’s extremely important to thoroughly assess any plants for pet safety before bringing them home. It’s not unusual for cats to snack on houseplants, so knowing if plants are toxic is necessary to keep your cat safe and healthy. Palms are popular houseplants that bring a specific type of beauty to the home, but many palms are not safe for cats. Neanthe Bella palms are one of the popular types of palms, but are they safe for cats? It is at least safe to say, they are non-toxic.

Are Neanthe Bella Palms Safe for Cats?

Luckily, Neanthe Bella palms (Chamaedorea elegans) are non-toxic to cats and dogs according to the ASPCA. It’s still best to keep your cat from snacking on the plant since overeating plants can lead to digestive upset and discomfort for kitties. The good news is that you don’t have to panic and run to the vet if your cat snacks on your Neanthe Bella palm plant.

Are Neanthe Bella Palms Easy to Care For?

To make Neanthe Bella palms even more appealing, they are relatively easy to care for and can thrive in low-light environments. They do best in environments with moderate to high humidity, like bathrooms and rooms with humidifiers. In low humidity, Neanthe Bella palms usually develop brown tips to their fronds.

While they like thorough watering, Neanthe Bella palms, like most palms, don’t like “wet feet”, so good drainage is necessary to keep your palm happy and free of root rot. Lower leaves are likely to brown over time, even if the plant is healthy and thriving, so they should be removed to prevent wasted energy from the plant.

Additional Information About Palm Plants

It’s absolutely essential to ensure you are correctly identifying your palm plant before bringing it home. While a handful of palms are safe for cats, including Neanthe Bella palms, Parlor palms (Chamaedorea elegans), and Majesty palms (Ravenea rivularis), there are many palms that are not safe for cats.

Sago palms (Cycas and Zamia species) are deadly for cats and dogs, as well as being dangerous even for humans when ingested. Dracaenas (Dracaena species) and Yuccas (Yucca species) are also types of palms that are toxic to cats due to their content in saponins, although they’re potentially less dangerous than the deadly Sago palm. Still, you should not risk your cat’s health with these palms. They can both cause drooling, vomiting, weakness, lack of appetite, incoordination, and dilated pupils in cats. 

If you have any concerns or curiosities about your cat or their health, we recommend you contact your vet directly.

In Conclusion

The Neanthe Bella palm is not only a beautiful and low-maintenance houseplant, but it’s also safe for your beloved furry friend. It’s still not ideal to let your cat snack on the plant, but this is primarily due to possible digestive upset from eating plant material and the health of the plant. Make sure you correctly identify your palm plant, and don’t be afraid to ask employees at the greenhouse for verification. The scientific name is Chamaedorea elegans, which can be helpful considering that some plants are called by different names. Bringing home the wrong type of palm plant can be dangerous and even deadly for your cat, so ensure you are truly picking up a cat-safe palm to bring to your house.

Featured Image Credit By: iluphoto, Shutterstock