Are orchids poisonous? This must be observed with children and cats

Orchids are among the most popular indoor plants in this country and inspire with their colorful flowers of the numerous species. Despite its beauty, more and more cat owners are reporting symptoms of poisoning after their pet has chewed on the plant or swallowed parts of it. For this reason, many parents are also concerned and ask themselves whether orchids are now poisonous and, if so, how the dangers of poisoning can be minimized.

Toxicity

Are orchids poisonous?

The question of whether orchids are poisonous cannot be answered across the board, as there are up to 30,000 species around the world. However, there are no known, poisonous varieties on offer in Germany that develop toxins due to their way of life. However, no parts of the Orchidaceae plant should be chewed or swallowed for too long, especially the flowers and roots. The following symptoms occur when cats and children eat orchids.

• Stomach discomfort
• nausea
• Vomit
• headache
• Hallucinations (orchids with alkaloids)
• Dizziness (orchids with alkaloids)
• Visual disturbances (orchids with alkaloids)
• Liver damage from eating the root
• Skin irritation (only for Vanilla planifolia)

Orchid species

The liver damage that occurs is a common problem with small children, as they dig in the pots and the substrate of the plants and thus have remnants of the roots on their fingers. These are ingested through the mouth and in many cases swallowed, even in small amounts poisoning of the liver, as children have a smaller organism than adults. Cats work differently from humans, but they are very sensitive to the ingredients of the orchid.

The following popular types are to be mentioned:

• Phalaenopsis
• Oncidium
• Vanilla planifolia

These types are the most common types available in Germany. Of course there are also a number of other, more unusual varieties, but the toxicity is the same for all variants. Compared to the other varieties, the spiced vanilla is also irritating to the skin and respiratory tract. Touching it too often can lead to rashes. In the thin skin of a toddler, the toxins in the spiced vanilla draw into the skin much faster and cause painful irritation. In addition, native orchids should also not be consumed, including the following.

• Orchis (orchid herbs)
• Cypripedium (women's shoes)

These two varieties in particular can be found in their own gardens and are a favorite food for free-roaming cats. Children are also fascinated by the splendor of colors that the flowers radiate and it can often happen that they are picked and tasted out of curiosity. Lady's slipper species also cause skin irritation through the stem and leaf hairs, which contain a poison and which can easily be absorbed through the skin.

Please note, if your child or cat has swallowed parts of the roots, you should definitely consult a doctor. The roots of the orchid contain bitter substances that are even absorbed through the saliva and can cause the liver damage mentioned above.

Toxic to animals

Why do cats chew on orchid plants?

Today's domestic cat is no longer dependent on certain instincts compared to wildcats. This includes above all the knowledge about poisonous and non-poisonous plants, which is made available by the mother animal. For this reason, a classic house cat simply does not know whether the moth orchid on the windowsill is intended for consumption or not. In addition, a cat's sense of smell is only half as strong as that of a dog, so they try out whether the houseplant tastes good. But the sense of taste is even worse than a cat's nose. Orchids only stimulate the cat's instinct to chew.

Precautions

Precautions for cats

If you have a cat in the house, consider the following tips to help protect the house tiger from accidental poisoning. In the past few decades, orchids have become one of the top causes of plant poisoning due to their popularity. With a little preparation, there is no need to go to the vet.

Tip 1:

• place the orchid if possible so that the cat cannot reach it
• However, due to the jumping ability and climbing abilities of the animals, this is easier said than done
• For example, partitioned window sills or the winter garden, which is not accessible to the cat, are suitable here
• some orchid keepers get a cage in which they put their orchid and which at the same time provides an aesthetic aspect in the home

Tip 2:

• be sure to collect the flowers and other parts of the orchid immediately if they are discarded

Tip 3:

• older cats are often no longer interested in chewing plants
• protection is therefore not so important for them

Tip 4:

• young cats can be taught not to go near the orchid
• it takes a little training and patience
• as an alternative, you can sprinkle a little pepper or chilli around the location of the orchid
• cats hate these hot spices

Tip 5:

• In the case of free-range cats, it is worth bringing outdoor orchids into the greenhouse
• You can also sprinkle protection against cats around the orchids here

Toxic to children

Why do children put orchids in their mouths?

While domestic cats have a bad sense of taste and no longer communicate about their mother animal get which plants are safe, toddlers explore their world for the most part with their mouth and mouth Hands. The eyes and hearing only sharpen over the course of childhood. This is why babies and children put their fingers in their mouths or try to eat soil. Plants of all kinds are particularly interesting for toddlers, as people have a keen sense of taste and want to adapt it, especially at a young age. Therefore, parents need to take extra care of their children.

Precautions

Precautions for children

Children, especially toddlers, are not that agile at a young age and can be kept away from the orchids with little effort. In the first few years of life it is enough to put them in a higher location to protect the child. As the child gets older, keep reminding them that orchids are not suitable for consumption and that species like the lady's slipper should not be touched. This will reduce the risk of your offspring being poisoned. Even if the orchid in itself is not poisonous, care must be taken because children are intrinsically curious.