Is Bamboo Toxic to Humans, Dogs or Cats?

First of all: There are hardly any types of bamboo that are really poisonous for humans and animals. And even with poisonous species, the toxic substances are predominantly located in the raw sprouts and in the seeds. Bamboo contains hydrocyanic acid, which it uses to protect itself from damage by predators. This means that if a bamboo is damaged, it releases hydrocyanic acid and thus blocks cell respiration - similar to the case with carbon monoxide.

The bamboo - An Asian plant with a long tradition in the garden

As a dog or cat owner, you don't have to worry about any danger to your pets, since bamboo is not on the menu of dogs and cats. There is therefore no reason for the animals to injure the plant and thereby initiate the release of hydrocyanic acid. The Asian plant with its woody stems can therefore easily be used as a fence, as a decorative accent on the property or as a privacy screen for your seating area or garden pond serve. All bamboo plants available in stores and garden supplies are non-toxic and therefore perfect for your property.

Keep pets away from bamboo plants

While a dog is less interested in garden plants, cats mainly nibble on the young shoots. Reminiscent of cat grass, fresh bamboo shoots are considered edible and may well end up in a cat's stomach. Therefore, before purchasing bamboo plants, you should find out exactly whether they are a non-toxic or poisonous, chemically treated or natural plant. You can find bamboo in nurseries and on the internet

• bred in this country
• a non-toxic variety
• not chemically treated
• therefore safe for your pets

Nevertheless, you should keep dogs and cats as well as small children away from the seeds, the fresh shoots and the rather rare flowers of the plant. When the bamboo sprout in the spring, you can protect it with a fence and thus prevent your Cat absorbs an excess of hydrocyanic acid and health is affected by eating the fresh sprouts becomes. As with most plants, the same applies to bamboo: The toxic properties are related to the amount of shoots eaten. If a cat briefly nibbles on a bamboo shoot, you don't have to worry about symptoms of poisoning. The situation is different when a whole plant is nibbled on and all fresh shoots are "freed" by the pet.

How can a food plant be poisonous?

In Asian cuisine, bamboo is part of practically all dishes and is one of the plants responsible for the typical taste of the dishes. Of course, these are also non-toxic varieties that are mostly cooked and not eaten raw. You don't have to do without delicious bamboo shoots in salads, but you shouldn't harvest them in your own garden. Commercially available sprouts are free of hydrocyanic acid and are therefore ideal for your healthy diet. The situation is different with a few species whose hydrocyanic acid content is very high and therefore of concern to your health. However, you would have to consume a larger amount to notice the undesirable effect and poison yourself with bamboo.

Bamboo and Pets - Tips for Gardeners and Plant Lovers

Even non-toxic bamboo species should not be planted in outdoor enclosures for your pets. In addition to dogs and cats, rabbits, ducks and geese or ostriches are also interested in the fresh green of the plants. For strong and dense growth, it is necessary that the bamboo is not damaged during its growth phase. Bamboo plants and pets can live in harmony on your property if you follow a few rules in planting and plant protection.

• During the budding phase, keep your animals away from fresh greenery.
• Rule out the possibility of a dog or cat injuring the trunk.
• Place the bamboo in an animal-safe location.
• Check the fresh shoots daily.
• Watch your pets closely and identify any health changes immediately.

You can find out which type of bamboo is non-toxic and therefore ideal for your garden in nurseries or in the list of plants suitable for pet owners. It is important, however, that even with non-toxic varieties, you make sure that your animal does not nibble on the bamboo or put the seeds or raw sprouts on its menu. If you are interested in unusual bamboo species that are unusual in this country, you should find out more about inform the toxic content and generally avoid that dog and cat in contact with the plant come. This also applies if you import your bamboo directly from Asia or if you choose a plant whose origin is unknown or whose species is not specifically defined.

Pets and bamboo don't have to be mutually exclusive.

If you choose the type of plant carefully and pay close attention to your pets, you can easily choose bamboo in the garden. Dogs are far less interested in the fresh green shoots, while cats like to nibble on them and should therefore be kept away. Even if your cat is an outdoor cat, you don't have to do without bamboo. During the sprouting period, you can protect the plant - and thus also your cat - by making access difficult and making the bamboo uninteresting for curious cats. Of course, the same applies to small children. You can be sure that your child will not put a bamboo shoot in its mouth.

With the types of bamboo available in this country, no reactions have been observed in pets. Since it is a fibrous plant, the ingested parts are usually excreted whole and without leaving any damage. If the cat nibbles on a poisonous bamboo, this causes problems in the cells and causes a slight dizziness. This reaction is based on the hydrocyanic acid, which acts against cell respiration and draws oxygen from the blood. The temporary lack of oxygen leads to a dizzy gait. A veterinarian must only be consulted if very large quantities are consumed. As a rule, the symptoms of dizziness subside within a few minutes and the cat vomits the ingested parts of the plant.

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