Red maple is safe for cats. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) classifies the red maple as a non-toxic plant for both cats and dogs. However, it’s always essential to approach any plant with caution when it concerns our feline friends.
This article was written in collaboration with a team of experienced DVMs (doctors of veterinary medicine). Their insights, coupled with thorough research from high-authority websites like ASPCA and PetMD, ensure that we provide you with accurate and up-to-date information on the potential risks associated with various plants, particularly Red Maple in this context, and their effects on cats. Rest assured, cats can safely touch, lick, or bite parts of a red maple without any adverse effects.
Can Cats Eat Red Maple?
Since red maple does not contain poisonous substances that can harm cats, a single bite of the red maple will not hurt them. However, excessive ingestion of this plant can cause cats to have an upset stomach. This may induce symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The symptoms would normally wear away once the plant materials have been eliminated from the feline’s body.
Cats should not eat ample plants because they are carnivores. Carnivores do not have the capacity to digest plant materials in their stomach. Therefore, any kind of plant is not suitable for a cat’s diet.
What is Red Maple?
Scientifically known as Acer Rubrum, the red maple is among the deciduous trees that are most widespread and widely cultivated in eastern and central North America. Red maples can adapt to a very wide range of site conditions throughout most of their range, possibly more so than any other tree in eastern North America. It grows almost anywhere, including in swamps, on arid, poor soils, and everywhere in between.
Red maple is frequently used as a shade tree for landscapes because of its lovely fall foliage and attractive form. Its medium to high-quality lumber and small-scale commercial maple syrup production are both used in this area.
Red maple has other common names such as Swamp Maple, Scarlet Maple, Curled Maple, and Soft Maple.
Keeping Cats Away From Red Maple
Cats can be effectively kept away from any type of plant by using items that they find unpleasant. Cats, for instance, dislike citrus. Citrus peels placed on our plants or citrus juice diluted with water sprayed on them will scare them away.
Because cats dislike the sound and feel of aluminum foil on their paws, it can be an effective deterrent. Cover the soil with aluminum foil to keep your cats away from the plants. Cats dislike walking on rough surfaces, using tiny, prickly pebbles may be also effective.
Another strategy is to give your feline friend a private indoor cat garden! Great cat-friendly options include catnip, cat thyme, parsley, valerian, rosemary, and wheat grass. If you grow grass for your cat, make sure it’s suitable for consumption and keep it short at all times.
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.
