No, Fiery Reed Orchids are not toxic for cats.
This article has been written in collaboration with a team of experienced DVMs (doctors of veterinary medicine). Their expertise, coupled with our comprehensive research, which includes high-authority websites such as the ASPCA and PetMD, ensures that the information we provide about the potential risks of various plants, including the Fiery Reed Orchid, is both accurate and up-to-date.
According to the ASPCA (Animal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), the fiery reed orchid is listed as non-toxic not only for cats but also for dogs and horses, making it safe to cultivate in homes where these animals are present.
Can Cats Eat Fiery Reed Orchid?
A little bit of the fiery reed orchid will not cause severe effects in your feline buddies. Cats can safely bite, lick, and touch a fiery reed orchid. However, this does not imply that you can permit your cat to keep on eating this plant.
Cats may feel indigestion and suffer from mild vomiting and diarrhea if they happen to consume too many plants. This is because they do not have the proper enzymes that can digest plant materials in their stomach.
What is Fiery Reed Orchid?
The fiery reed orchid is also known as the spice orchid. Scientifically known as Epidendrum ibaguense, it is a species of epiphytic orchid of the genus Epidendrum which is commonly found in South American countries like Venezuela, Colombia, and Northern Brazil. It can be also found in Trinidad and French Guiana.
The fiery reed orchid grows in a pseudo-monopodial manner. It has a vertical stem covered with the enveloping bases of distichous leaves and lacks the swelling seen in many sympodial orchid pseudobulbs. The peduncle of the inflorescence, which is firmly wrapped for the majority of its length by thin, overlapping sheaths, is terminal, not lateral, in fiery reed orchid. New growth is subsequently formed around the base of the previous one, however, the flaming reed orchid may commonly form a keiki or a baby plant from an old inflorescence.
Keeping Cats Away From Fiery Reed Orchid
The most ideal way to keep your cats away from your beloved plants is to train them. Training your cats may cost a lot of time and patience but it will be beneficial once your cats learn it.
You can try to discipline your cats by spraying water at them whenever they try to touch or go near your plants. Be sure that they will associate the spraying water with the plants and not you. Otherwise, they will tend to avoid you and not the plants.
Telling them “no” or making loud noises such as clapping your hands or stomping your feet when they approach your plants will also alert them that they should stop what they are trying to do.
If you’ve done everything to keep your cats away from your plants, you might possibly seek guidance from your veterinarian.
Plants to Avoid For Your Cats
If you are a cat owner and unsure if the plants growing in your yard are harmful to your cats, check out this list of toxic plants for cats. You can also check our list of non-toxic plants for cats.
