Cats vs orchids

[etcherkate]

I've read on the web that orchids aren't toxic to cats, but thought I'd ask the experts. Any thoughts?

My new feline friend overcame many obstacles in his quest to destroy my plants. He must be very proud of himself!

[jkofferdahl]

It's been my experience that orchids aren't toxic to cats. Cats, however, are exceedingly toxic to orchids.

[etcherkate]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

It's been my experience that orchids aren't toxic to cats. Cats, however, are exceedingly toxic to orchids.

I've been telling my stepdaughter she can't have a dog until I have an outdoor greenhouse. The cat was her consolation prize.

[SaraJean]

Well my cats didn't die when they ate my Elizabeth Ann buckelberry, but I did come close to killing them

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by etcherkate

I've been telling my stepdaughter she can't have a dog until I have an outdoor greenhouse. The cat was her consolation prize.

Oh dear. Don't tell your stepdaughter that my most hyper dog -- out of three -- spends the most time among my orchids. The three combine to make well over 220 pounds of wild energy. No orchid has ever been harmed. Don't get me started on my stepson's toxic cats.

[Leafmite]

Cats have quite a reputation for destroying plants, don't they? No, orchids are not toxic. Our little Maltese-poodle (a dog!) has shredded quite a few different types of orchids and she never had any adverse affects. The child of one of our friends ate most of a Phal (really!) and was fine. :|

[PaphMadMan]

My cats often chewed on exposed orchids with no ill effects (beyond the usual cat eats grass effects). One preferred the thinner grassier leaves and the other liked the tough heavy leaves. Perfect division of labor.

[etcherkate]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

My cats often chewed on exposed orchids with no ill effects (beyond the usual cat eats grass effects). One preferred the thinner grassier leaves and the other liked the tough heavy leaves. Perfect division of labor.

Have you figured out a way to keep the cats away from the plants? I thought I'd moved all the plants to a shelf that was too high to reach, but the very persistent cat proved me wrong.

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

My cats often chewed on exposed orchids with no ill effects (beyond the usual cat eats grass effects). One preferred the thinner grassier leaves and the other liked the tough heavy leaves. Perfect division of labor.

This is true. Put the the thicker leafed ones toward the front, the thinner grassier types in the back and/or up higher. Very seldom Jack pays me back by chewing something but, it's usually because I was careless. Other than barfing, no harm has come.

---------- Post added at 09:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 PM ----------

Originally Posted by etcherkate

Have you figured out a way to keep the cats away from the plants? I thought I'd moved all the plants to a shelf that was too high to reach, but the very persistent cat proved me wrong.

Young cat? Try spraying the orchids with clear Listerine.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by etcherkate

Have you figured out a way to keep the cats away from the plants? I thought I'd moved all the plants to a shelf that was too high to reach, but the very persistent cat proved me wrong.

My dogs also kept cats from the orchids. Good boys. Without a dog, try electric shock.