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Is a Christmas Cactus toxic?

post #1 of 7
2/21/10 at 4:15am
Thread Starter 
I have my moms 70 year old CC in an unheated bedroom. I want to open that door so the heat from the wood stove will go in there.

I have been through so much with Beeba's crystals, I am paranoid about him chewing on this plant. I have gone to the ASPCA's site and it is not on their list as harmfull to cats. But part of me says, well maybe they forgot to list it!

Has anyone had experience with this. It is the plant that lives 7000 years (well not really.) Blooms around Christmas. I know he will want to chew on it. He even tries to eat my fabric flower leaves and stems. I do plan to put it on a sturdy pedistal stand so it will not be too easy for him to get at it. I will put it away from any furniture he may access it from.

Thanks guys!
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post #2 of 7
2/21/10 at 4:27am
Thread Starter 
I guess I was looking up another plant because it was on the ASPCA's site as being non toxic.

When I googled it, this site actually came up from 2008.

I will do a bit more sleuthing, but I guess I have to go by the ASPCA's info unless I find definate proof otherwise.

I will still watch him and put it out of his reach.
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post #3 of 7
2/21/10 at 4:28am
Very easy way to look up plants. Look up their proper names, in this case schlumbergera bridgesii, plus "toxic" or "toxicity". http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison...as-cactus.html

Though other sites do mention that if large quantities are eaten it has typical side effects - vomiting - possibly with blood, diarrhea, etc. Considered to have a very very low toxicity.

Basic, but interesting list of how some plants are toxic/irritant if anyone is interested. http://www.pesches.com/gardenrx/reference/toxicity.php I'm surprised that clematis isn't on there - it's well known for it's oxalates. The ranunculus should have that noted, too.
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post #4 of 7
2/21/10 at 7:55am
Thread Starter 
oooo hey thanks! I am going to look up a bunch of things. Maybe someday I could actually have a house plant again!
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post #5 of 7
2/21/10 at 10:18am
Here, someone did an entry on safe (safer) plants.

Not surprisingly, I've grown many of those listed in the past.
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post #6 of 7
2/21/10 at 10:42am
Christmas Cacti are edible...I think even humans eat it sometimes.....all I really know is that I can feed it to my tortoises . But everything in moderation, of course.
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post #7 of 7
2/21/10 at 12:18pm
Don't just rely on the ASPCA list. Great as it is, many plants have different common names in different parts of the country, and depending on the retailer are not always sold under their proper name. I always knew my plant to be a Pothos, but it is listed as Golden Pothos. I discovered that after one of the cats was diagnosed with acute renal failure caused by ingesting an unknown toxin.

Google the name of a plant along with toxic to cats and see what comes up before buying it. I know this doesn't apply to the OP's situation in this thread, but it could be relevant for others who read the thread.
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