Yes, fiddle leaf plants are toxic to cats.
Fiddle leaf, fiddle leaf figs, or fiddle fig plants are ornamental plants that belong to the Moraceae family. They’re different from the extremely rare Philodendron bipennifolium, which are also sometimes called Fiddle-Leaf. The fiddle leaf fig is native to West Africa, with vibrant foliage that look like fiddles or lyres.
Multiple sources online state that fiddle leaf plants should not be brought into homes with cats. This is because of the mildly poisonous white sap that may harm her. This milky substance can be found in various areas of the plant such as its leaves, stems, and trunk. Once exposed, she may experience skin and gastrointestinal irritation as well as abdominal pain. But the toxins shouldn’t cause serious illness or death.
What to do if your cat accidentally comes into contact with, chews, or eats fiddle leaf plants: Contact your veterinarian immediately to find out what you should do next. Remove the entire plant and any remaining material found on your cat’s hair, skin, or mouth.
Moreover, monitor your cat while keeping her in a confined space. Observe her for symptoms of poisoning over the next 24 hours. Vomiting, hypersalivation, diarrhea, twitching and fitting, difficulty in breathing, and shock or collapse may manifest. Skin inflammation or swelling, depression or coma, and changes in her appetite, drinking, and urinating may also occur depending on how much fiddle leaf plant she ate.
In summary: Refrain from growing fiddle leaf figs at home if you own pets. The tropical plant can cause unnecessary risks to your beloved felines. Play it safe by checking these lists from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, and PetMD before growing a new houseplant in your home or backyard.
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