Banana is one of the most common fruits all over the world. It has several vitamins and minerals that play a necessary important role in the human and animal body. As per that many people like to have banana plants in their houses.
Thinking of having a banana plant in our own house premises takes us to the question, are banana plants toxic to cats?
The simple answer is, No. The Banana plants are not toxic to cats even to any other animals. Moreover, you can see your thirsty pet dog or cat licking all around the stem of a banana plant as the banana plant consists of almost 93% water in its body.
Many of us love to have a garden with our beloved house and also for doing gardening dwarf banana plants are preferable. But the doubt stands in front of our eyes when we have pet animals along with our gardening or planting in tubs.
Today we are going to learn detail about if banana plants are safe for pet animals like cats or dogs and also note if there are any chances of banana plants being toxic to cats.
Are Banana Plants Poisonous to Cats?
No, banana plants are not poisonous to any animals including cats. The banana plants are highly nutritious and tasty food that is enjoyed by people over the world.
Banana plants are normally safe to consume for cats but it is important to note that there might be a potential risk of gastrointestinal upset or indigestion. So if your cat eats any part of the banana plant then watch it carefully if there are any symptoms of indigestion.
Is Banana Leafs Toxic to Cats?
Yes, though banana and banana plant none of it has been found to be toxic to cats, the leaves of banana plants can cause some trouble if it is consumed in rich amount.
If you have banana plants in your house and your cats are around those plants then you should supervise them always. Because though the banana plants are not harmful to cats, the leaves of the banana plants and stems of the plant contain oxalates which can cause severe irritation if it is eaten by a cat.
So it is better not to leave your open cats around your banana plants to avoid any unfortunate problems.
Dwarf Banana Tree Toxic to Cats
Talking about banana plants, there are more than 1 thousand species of banana plants, divided into 50 subgroups. So you might imagine that all a thousand types of banana trees might not be good for your cat!
This brings us to say that the Dwarf Cavendish Banana Trees are not safe for your cat. This species of the banana plant are dangerous to cats. Consuming the leaves of a Dwarf Cavendish Banana Plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and breathing difficulty in cats.
Anyway, if your cat has ingested any portion of this dwarf banana plant then seek the veterinarian as early as possible.
Are Strelitzia Nicolai (Wild Banana) Plants Toxic to Cats?
Yes, unfortunately, known as the ’Giant Brid of Paradise’, Strelitzia Nicolai is very toxic to both pet animals as well as humans who try to have a bite of it!
The Wild Banana Plant, the scientifical name Strelitzia Nicolai is liked to decorate homes but the plant has a dark truth. This plant needs to keep in direct sunlight even indirect sunlight is not enough to live it naturally charming.
But from top to bottom this plant, its leaves, and its flowers all are toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. If anyone takes a bite of it then it can cause diarrhea, dizziness, and drowsiness in the human body.
It can make cats and dogs suffer from vomiting, drowsiness, and nausea.
Are Red Banana Plants Toxic to Cats?
Yes, eating red banana plants is toxic to cats. It is notable that bananas are grown in more than 150 countries all over the world in more than one thousand varieties. The banana species of Red Banana is a unique banana plant species those are rarely seen in South Asian regions and in African countries.
The Red Banana and its tree it not toxic to cats until it is consumed. But consuming the red banana plant can cause unwanted situations. So it is strongly suggested not to have any red banana plants in your home if you have a pet cat.
Eating any part of the red banana plant can cause the cat vomiting, diarrhea, and depression! If you find that your cat has already consumed any part of the plant then please take it to the animal doctor immediately.
Are Banana Tree Leaves Poisonous to Cats?
Yes, banana tree leaves could affect poisonous to cats in some cases! Although the banana fruit and the banana plants are not proven toxic to cats the leaves of the plant can cause toxicity in the cat’s body if it is consumed or eaten in large quantity.
So it is advised not to allow your cat to eat any banana leaf or any part of the banana plant’s leaf.
How Toxic is a String of Bananas to Cats?
Unfortunately, the string of bananas is a little toxic to cats as it contains oxalates. So if any cat eats the string of a banana plant then it might make some gastrointestinal and indigestion issues in the cat’s stomach.
But without eating any part of the banana string the rest of the activities like touching it or something like that won’t cause anything harmful to the cat.
What Happens If A Cat Touches A Toxic Banana Plant/Leaf?
The banana plant and its entire body of it including the palm, leaves, and fruits nothing is toxic or harmful to a cat if the cat does not eat it in huge quantities. Touching or smelling a banana plant or the banana plant’s leaf will not make anything happen.
Suspicious, things might happen if a cat consumes any portion of a banana plant or a big amount of the banana leaf.
Final Thoughts
The question: are banana plants toxic to cats or not? Is actually undefinable due to the species of the plant varying a lot. But generally, the banana fruit is none toxic for cats and they can eat this in minimal quantities.
Banana plants have more than one thousand species in over 150 countries in the world. The banana plant itself is made of more than 93% water so it is definitely not harmful or toxic to any animal including cats.
But there are a few notable species of banana plants like Red Banana Plants or the Dwarf Banana that are a little harmful or toxic to cats as they can make some trouble in the digestion system of the cat. Even the Wild Banana Plant, Strelitzia Nicolai is toxic to cats moreover to humans. I hope you find the article “Are Banana Plants Toxic to Cats?” helpful.
Also Read:
Bats Eating Bananas: Do Bats Like Bananas?
