Are African Violets Poisonous to Cats? [ Know The Answer ]

If you are a houseplant lover, you have probably heard the name African violet. It is one of the most decorative blooming indoor plants that can enhance the beauty of your room with its showy appearance.

If you ask how then the answer will be by its ornamental beauty. The shrub features tiny blooms of several vibrant hues amidst dark green foliage. It is a sight to behold undoubtedly.

But, despite the eye-catching look, many pet owners hesitate to keep African violets in their households because there is a belief that the plant is poisonous for animals and children.

Are African Violets Poisonous to Cats?

No, African violets can cause no harmful reaction to cats. Also, expert botanists and veteran medical professionals have proved the fact. The decorative plant with showy flowers in vibrant shades is safe for any animal and even children. Plus, the herb is not toxic to cats.

So, the pet parents can bring home African violets without any hesitation and place them anywhere near tables, windowsills, or cabinet tops. The potted herb makes a safe houseplant for both humans and animals.

If you investigate the reason behind the immense popularity of African violets, you will find plenty of causes.

But, the prime factor of the familiarity is the showy look of the houseplant. If you provide the apt atmosphere, the indoor plant reaches the height of 8-16 inches.

So, after the complete development, African violets form a shape of a short bush that features thousands of tiny flowers in striking blue, pink, violet, white, lavender, and maroon shades.

When the plant blooms, the gorgeous florets resemble stunning butterflies.

Also, when the bush gets covered with flowers during the blooming seasons, the florets look magnificent against the dark green backdrop.

Now, you probably are thinking that this beauty must be very demanding. But, it is not. African violets grow fast and stay healthy even with minimal care.

Since the indoor plants require low maintenance, they make a perfect choice for a newbie or a forgetful gardener.

However, there is a popular rumor about the houseplant that they are poisonous to cats, dogs, horses, and even kids.

It is a false statement that can mislead many people, especially pet owners. Many pet parents or people with little ones want to bring African violets into their households.

But, sometimes, some misleading facts prevent them from doing so. Many people believe that indoor plant is poisonous for pets. But, in our article, we will break down the myth and tell you the truth.

First of all, if we dig a little, we will see the plant is native to Tanzania and especially East Africa. This African beauty is also a member of the Streptocarpus family.

But you can grow African violets or saintpaulias anywhere across the globe due to the compatibility power of the houseplant.

Plus, the plants are safe to grow even in your bedrooms, as they feature no toxicity.

So, your furry friend will not fall sick after getting into contact with the plant, as African violet is another non-toxic plant.

Sometimes domestic cats accidentally chew the leaves of the plants or do that out of habit. So, if your cat takes the African violet as an evening snack, the mischievous feline will not fall sick.

But, over-application of toxic fertilizers to African violet can disrupt the internal system of your cat if it consumes any part of the houseplant.

Since the herb is not poisonous to animals and children, they can freely roam around the plant whether you place it indoors or outdoors.

What would happen if a Cat had African Violets?

If your African violet receives a mild fertilizer or no manure at all, it cannot affect the internal organs of your cats. Many research institutes and experienced medical professionals have certified African violet as a non-toxic houseplant for pets and children. So, the news puts a smile on the face of a pet parent who admires the gorgeous indoor plant.

But, it does not mean there will be no worst consequences even if your cat gets in contact with an African violet.

The result is dependent on the amount and type of compost you offer to your striking indoor plant. If you put mild pesticides with no toxic particles, your feline will not get sick even after consuming the parts of the herb.

It can show some mild symptoms like a brief illness, stomach upset, or dehydration for the first time.

It is because the digestive system of the feline cannot distinguish the unusual object. But, if your cat chews on a shrub that gets plenty of toxic fertilizers, it makes the animal seriously ill.

Can African violets make cats sick?

No, although the African violet does not make your cat sick, the soil and fertilizer can make it ill. In most cases, homegrown African violets do not receive plenty of pesticides. Even if they get sprayed with fertilizers, indoor gardeners like to sprinkle only a mild non-toxic insecticide on the elegant bush.

So, your cat will not fall sick, even after regularly snacking on the leaves of the plant. But, a well-treated African violet can make your pet ill and even dead.

The treated herb gets an enormous amount of toxic pesticides and insecticides.

So, if your cat consumes the leaves of an overly-fertilized African violet, the deadly particles can cause salivation and severe dehydration in your pet.

Are cats attracted to African violets?

No, African violets do not attract or allure cats as they do with gardeners. African violet is such a gorgeous houseplant that many plant lovers get attracted by its appearance. Home gardeners often bring the ornamental plant in the adobe to elevate the ambient beauty. But, if you have four-legged partners in your house, the scenario can be a little different.

Even though the cats do not get attracted to the magnificent houseplant, they can often use the stunning foliage of the plants as snacks.

It is undoubtedly true that African violet features an appealing look and vibrantly shaded flowers with unique petal designs.

But, the divine beauty cannot amaze the cats. They do not offer any extra attention to the plant as they do to the engaging toys.

Still, if your feline finds the violet on a table or in a garden, it can chew the bloom, foliage, or the whole plant. But, for a cat, chewing anything anywhere is natural.

Are African violets poisonous to dogs?

No, your dogs are completely safe with African violet as the plant is not toxic for any animal. Although you can try to keep your dogs away from the elegant houseplant, the pets still manage to get near to the herb. As an inevitable result, the dog consumes the flower or foliage of the shrub.

No doubt, the situation is dismaying to the gardener. But, apart from that, there will not be any worse consequences.

As the health system of the pup fails to identify the unusual foreign objects, your dog can show some mild symptoms of diarrhea or allergic reaction. But, quick medical treatment can help your pet recover from the situation.

Even though the graceful African violet is not poisonous to dogs, the toxic fertilizer can cause severe illness in the mongrel.

In that case, your pet can be seriously sick, and even the condition can lead to the death of your furry friend.

Although the plant does not attract dogs, they can chew on the herb out of their chewing habit.

So, it will be best to put only non-toxic pesticides on your divine African violet so that your dog will not fall ill.

Can African violets make your dog sick?

No, African violets do not make your dog ill, but the traces of insecticides on the plant can be toxic for the pup. As we have mentioned earlier, the magnificent houseplant is safe for anyone. Although many people believe the plant has toxicity, it is misleading data. When you place African violet in your adobe, it will double up the beauty of your household.

The tiny flowers with the divine appearance or the gorgeous dark green foliage, any part of the plant is safe for your dog.

Even if your pup playfully or accidentally consumes any section of the houseplant, they will not fall sick. The indoor plant will not do anything to your furry friend.

Still, if your dog is prone to allergy, it can show some trivial reactions.

But, if you treat your houseplant with toxic additives, your dog can be severely sick after consuming parts of it. Strong composts leave residue on the foliage and in the soil. So, if your furry friend gets in contact with that, it can fall sick.

Final thought

So, hopefully, our article has made it clear that African violet does not affect your pets and children. Even if your pets consume the parts of the bush, they will not fall sick.

But, if you apply plenty of harmful manure to the houseplant, the insecticide can build up to a toxic level. It can make the pet severely ill. In that case, you need to contact a vet immediately. Only urgent medical help can save your pets from the condition.