Is lucky bamboo poisonous? Information for children, dogs and cats

Everyone strives for happiness in their life. Everything that can help us is welcome in our four walls. The plant is said to be a particularly beautiful lucky charm Lucky bamboo be. No question about it, its unusual sight awakens joy in us and who knows, maybe it actually brings luck. But what about the ingredients that lie dormant inside? These are said to be poisonous and especially endanger children, dogs and cats.

Not a bamboo plant

The lucky bamboo looks quite similar to bamboo poles, but it is still not a bamboo plant. Perhaps the fact that it is a widespread good luck charm in the bamboo home of Asia has also earned it this name. Dracaena braunii, as its botanical name is, has African roots and comes from the family of Dragon trees. Because of its numerous decorative twists and turns, it is also known as a serpentine line. Dragon trees are classified as slightly poisonous.

Toxicity

This lucky plant contains saponins, which are secondary plant substances. Humans need these substances to keep their bodies healthy and take them in regularly through plant-based foods. Tomatoes, spinach and many other vegetables contain saponins, for example.

Why this trace element can nevertheless become a poisonous threat to humans and animals is due to him high concentration in Dracaena braunii, which can be found consistently in all parts of the plant. A higher dose than required turns the positive effect into the opposite.

Bitter taste as a deterrent

Lucky bamboo contains plenty of bitter substances, which accordingly ensure a bitter taste of the plants. The temptation to eat a large amount of it is therefore limited. An adult, sensible person would not reach for it anyway. survive the effects unscathed in good health.
For allergy sufferers and asthmatics, the mere presence of the snake lily, on the other hand, could cause major problems. The situation with small children and free roaming pets such as cats and dogs is also worrying.

children

Small children like to explore the world with their sense of taste, which is why they often put everything in their mouths that they can get hold of by hand. With their taste buds still developing, it's questionable how much the bitter taste would put them off consuming the snake lily. That being said, even a small dose has a negative effect on the small body. The following symptoms can occur after consumption:

• profuse salivation
• Nausea and vomiting
• bloody diarrhea

If any of these symptoms occur, the child should be examined immediately by a doctor. It is best to take the whole plant or at least a leaf with you so that the doctor can classify the symptoms correctly and take appropriate countermeasures.

animals

Dogs and cats are always at risk from saponins, no matter how big the animals are and what state of health they are in. Even the mere contact irritates your mucous membranes considerably. If the poison gets into your body, the red blood cells are greatly reduced. Pets that have chewed on the lucky charm will soon show the following symptoms:

• profuse salivation
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• cramps
• Circulatory disorders

If one of these pets nibbles briefly on the lucky bamboo, there is no great danger to be feared. If, however, it is strong or does it again and again at regular intervals, it increases Amount of poison in his body and it inevitably comes to be evident and visible Symptoms of intoxication. Of course, body size also plays an important role here, because the smaller the animal, the smaller the amount required to trigger poisoning.

measures

Since no animal owner can use the symptoms to assess how much poison the animal has actually ingested and how serious the effect is, professional help is essential.

• Take the animal to the vet
• Take the plant or parts of it with you
• Call the veterinary emergency service outside of office hours
• Discuss how to proceed

tip: If there are still plant residues in the animal's mouth, you should carefully remove them, put them in a plastic bag and take them to the vet.

Prevent

Because the serpentine line only slightly poisonous it doesn't have to be banned from the house entirely. However, when babies and young children live in the household, caution is urgent. It might not be enough to place the plant out of reach. When leaves fall from it, they can become an easily accessible hazard.

• do not take unnecessary risks
• do without lucky bamboo entirely
• there are enough non-toxic plants as an alternative

For older children who are accessible for education, there is nothing against the cultivation of lucky bamboo.

Helpful precautions in animal households

If dogs or house tigers are kept that can move around unattended and freely in the rooms, the risk of poisoning is high.

• Animals curiously explore the entire area
• like to nibble on plants
• Cats can also reach tall growths

The natural instinct that would deter the animal from eating unknown plants is largely stunted in domestic animals. If you have no way of setting up the lucky bamboo in a space inaccessible to animals, you must keep it away from the plant.

• Train dogs accordingly
• Bring snake lily closer to being a forbidden area
• deal with the animal and buy toys
• Cats are less obedient
• here it may be appropriate to do without this plant

In particular, keep an eye on small puppies and kittens. They are very playful and curious and nibble on everything.
They also often disregard the owner's instructions.