It depends.
Belonging to the grass family Poaceae, true bamboo species are known for their tall, hollow stems that can reach towering heights. ASPCA states that the species Phyllostachys aurea is safe for cats, dogs, and horses. It also has other monikers such as fairyland bamboo, fishpole bamboo, golden bamboo, and monk’s belly bamboo.
On the other hand, there are indoor plants with bamboo in their name, but don’t really belong to the species. A member of the family Asparagaceae, lucky bamboo plant or dracaena is the best example of a plant that’s toxic to cats. Corn plant, cornstalk plant, dragon tree, Madagascar dragon tree, money tree, and ribbon plant are its other names.
Aside from lucky bamboo, other plants that are sometimes mistaken as true bamboo include bamboo palm, horsetail, and heavenly bamboo.
What to do if your cat accidentally comes into contact with, chews, or eats bamboo plants: Find out if your plant is an actual member of the bamboo species. No adverse reactions should manifest if she came into contact with this type of plant.
However, if your cat bit or ate a lucky bamboo plant, observe her for signs resulting from contact with its steroidal saponins. These include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, weakness, incoordination, and dilated pupils.
In summary: True bamboo species are non-toxic to cats. However, lookalike bamboo plants are not ideal for homeowners with cats as they may cause gastrointestinal issues. Check these plant lists from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, and PetMD before taking in a new bamboo plant or growing one in your backyard.
If you already own feline-safe indoor plants, read this article to discover more creative ways you can cat-proof them.
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