The Purple Waffle Plant is not toxic to cats.
This article has been written in collaboration with a team of experienced DVMs (doctors of veterinary medicine). Their invaluable insights and contributions have enabled us to offer accurate and up-to-date information on the potential risks associated with various plants, with a specific focus on the Purple Waffle Plant and its effects on feline health. Our findings are further corroborated by high-authority websites such as ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and PetMD, both of which also list the Purple Waffle Plant as non-toxic for cats.
However, it’s important to note that while the plant poses no inherent danger to your feline friends, it is not advisable to let them consume any plant on a regular basis. Even non-toxic plants can sometimes cause digestive disturbances or allergic reactions. Always monitor your pets and their interactions with household plants.
Can Cats Eat Purple Waffle Plant?
A small amount of purple waffle plant is not harmful to cats. This does not, however, imply that you can feed them purple waffle plants. Any plant, if consumed in excess, can cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats. This is because cats’ stomachs lack the enzymes required to digest plant materials.
It is unnecessary to become alarmed if your cat exhibits symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea after consuming too much vegetation. The symptoms will gradually go away once the plant substance has been eliminated from the cat’s body.
As a cat owner, you should also be aware of other factors that can affect your cat’s welfare when they eat plants. For instance, using plant care products that may contain harmful chemicals can affect your felines. The chemical residues from these products may cause poisoning to cats if ingested.
What is Purple Waffle Plant?
Scientifically known as Hemigraphis exotica, the purple waffle plant is an Acanthaceae plant native to Southeast Asia. It is a distinctive terrarium plant that is frequently seen being sold in shops as a genuine aquatic plant.
Be careful because this plant can only survive for a long time submerged before melting away because it is not fully aquatic. Growing this plant submerged in a humid environment, like terrariums or paludariums, will make it flourish.
The purple waffle plant leaves have a bright purple underside and are green on the outside. The leaves wrinkled and ruffled texture makes for a wonderful contrast to other kinds of foliage.
Keeping Cats Away From Purple Waffle Plant
To keep cats away from your garden plants, make your garden soil prickly for them to walk over. Wooden chopsticks can be used as garden stakes. Try out spacing by placing them at close enough intervals that the cat finds it challenging to turn around.
Additionally, you can place pine cones and other prickly yard cuttings into the soil around your plants. Other options include recycled plastic carpet runners with the nub side up, stone mulch, eggshells, holly cuttings, and so on.
Washing up your garden area is also a good way to keep garden cats away. If your cat has a favorite spot, thoroughly rinse the area with a hose (or water from your rain barrel) to get rid of any odors.
Use environmentally friendly liquid soap to deep-clean surfaces like patio furniture and doors. Cats frequently choose the same spot, so to avoid repeat offenses, remove their previous claim to your garden.
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.
