Alice White
The Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) is an evergreen houseplant that is a real eye-catcher in every home with its large palm fronds. The plant is popular not only because of its appearance but also because it ensures a good indoor climate. The plant is also a safe choice for pet owners because the Kentia palm is almost completely harmless to cats.
Kentia Palm and Cats in Brief
- Since the Kentia palm does not contain any toxic substances, there is no risk of poisoning for cats.
- Curious cats can injure themselves while playing and nibbling on the sharp-edged palm fronds of the plant.
- The plant can easily be mistaken for other, poisonous palm species.
Kentia Palm is Not Poisonous to Cats
Good news for cat owners with green fingers: The Kentia palm does not contain any toxins and is therefore non-toxic for cats. There is no risk of poisoning for your velvet paw if you eat parts of the plant or if you come into contact with the skin. On the contrary: The Kentia palm is known for filtering pollutants from the air and ensuring a better indoor climate.
Why Cats Shouldn’t Eat the Kentia Palm?
Even if the plant is not poisonous, you should still stop your cat from nibbling on the palm fronds. Playful cats love to play with expansive leaves and palm fronds. If the house tiger nibbles on the Kentia palm, however, the long leaves can cause the cat to choke on it or injure the oral mucosa on the sharp-edged fronds. Apart from the risk of injury, palm fronds nibbled and worn by the cat don’t look particularly decorative.
Do Not Confuse Kentia Palm with Poisonous Palm Trees
Keep your eyes open when buying a palm: The Kentia palm can easily be confused with poisonous palm trees due to its similarity to other plants. Especially the mountain palm, which is poisonous for cats, looks very similar to Howea forsteriana. It is therefore imperative that you choose the right type of palm when buying plants and that you do not accidentally bring a poisonous plant into the house.
