Mandevilla, also known as rocktrumpet, is a dazzling flowering vine with large, bright blooms that are capable of adding a stunning touch to any and every outdoor space. You may be considering it for these reasons. But are cats safe in their presence?
Whether you are a cat owner or have a/several neighboring cats who regularly stop by, whether or not they are toxic to them is something you are going to need to know. Today, I’ll be sharing all.
So, is Mandevilla poisonous to cats? Whilst Mandevillas are technically poisonous to cats, the reality is, they’re not classified as such on paper. Rather, they’re considered to be mildly toxic. Thus, whilst ingesting them will cause your cat to suffer, namely, in the form of nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, the symptoms don’t tend to be too serious, particularly not when compared to those evoked by alternative plants in the dogbane family.
Read on to find out everything out everything you ought to know, from how much of a threat your Mandevilla truly poses to a bunch of handy tips and practices around how best to keep your cat safe.
Will Cats Eat Mandevilla?
Cats may eat Mandevilla if given the opportunity. You cannot assume that a cat will avoid eating them.
There is certainly no doubt that cats are smart cookies!
They’re renowned for their intelligence, so generally, they’re rather good at avoiding plants of a toxic variety.
However, we all make mistakes, and cats are curious creatures by nature.
They’re always sniffing around, exploring new areas, and getting into all sorts of mischief.
Unfortunately, this curiosity can sometimes lead to cats eating toxic plants, of which the Mandevilla is, unfortunately, no exception.
What Would Happen To A Cat If They Ate Mandevilla?
If your cat eats a Mandevilla plant, you can expect its most common symptoms to be stomach related. That is nausea, vomiting, indigestion, or, unfortunately, all three at once. Nonetheless, the severity of these symptoms depends on the cat itself.
For instance, a young kitten that is naturally smaller and less robust than an average-sized well-developed cat may struggle with the aftermath of munching a Mandevilla a fair bit.
Similarly, older cats that are more likely to have weakening immune systems may suffer more, too, although hopefully, their old age would deem them wise enough to refrain from eating your Mandevilla in the first place.
Even so, whilst it’s never easy to see an animal in ill health, there is some peace of mind to be found in the fact that no matter what the symptoms may be, one thing you can pretty much guarantee is that the effects won’t be fatal.
Mandevillas may evoke a great deal of discomfort in cats, but by no means will it kill them.
Put it this way, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) does not list the Mandevilla plant on its ‘Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List‘
How To Keep Cats Away From Your Mandevilla?
Sufficient Alternative Food
Keeping your cat happy and fed may well prevent it from overeating.
Essentially, it’s important to provide your cat with nutritious and well-balanced meals so that it gets the essential vitamins and minerals that it needs to stay healthy, but also to keep its cravings at bay and subsequently prevent it from seeking said nutrients elsewhere, such as your beloved Mandevilla plant.
After all, if it’s getting what it needs, why look elsewhere?!
Keep Your Mandevilla Out of Reach
Your cat won’t be able to ingest your Mandevilla if it simply can’t access it.
One way to inhibit its access is to install a fence or alternative cover around the perimeter of your Mandevilla plant.
Admittedly, this will alter the aesthetic of your tropical vine, but on the plus side, you’ll have a happy and healthy cat on your hands!
Cat Deterrents
Time to repel. To stop your cat from heading to your Mandevilla, you’ll be pleased to know that there are simple, albeit effective, actions that you can take to deter it.
Enter scent repellents! Cats dislike citrus scents, as well as the smell of garlic, coffee, mustard, eucalyptus, and much more.
By applying these scents to the area directly around your Mandevilla, you’ll increase the likelihood of your cat staying away from the vicinity of the plant and, thus, out of harm’s way.
Just remember that the scents do diminish over time, so for consistent results, you will need to re-apply them every few days or so.
Remove All Temptation
A great way to make sure that your cat will keep away from your Mandevilla is to make sure that it’s not tempted by it.
And aside from delicious food, what better way to do so than by providing your cat with plenty of toys and playtime?!
It’s likely that your perfectly occupied cat will have no interest in shortening playtime to go out into the world and explore potential dangers.
Plus, the extra physical activity, mental stimulation, and bonding opportunity is only bound to be a positive thing for the overall health of your cat.
Other Suggestions When Keeping Mandevilla Around Cats
Contact Your Vet
Whilst it’s likely that your cat’s symptoms will clear up soon enough if you suspect that your cat has eaten your Mandevilla plant, it could be a good idea to seek veterinarian help.
If your cat’s symptoms are significant, the vet may induce vomiting to remove the plant from the cat’s system and provide supportive care thereafter.
In some cases, although it is extremely rare, the cat may need to be hospitalized.
This is only likely to happen if your cat’s health was originally in a bad way, and the Mandevilla ingestion wound up pushing it over the metaphorical edge.
Stay Calm
When your cat is ill, there’s no debating that it can be a stressful and emotional time for both you and your furry friend alike.
It’s not easy, but it’s important that you do your best to stay calm and focused, as doing so can, in turn, help your cat to feel more comfortable and aid its recovery.
Thus, the very first step for you to take is a deep breath and to remember that everything will be okay.
Your cat will only benefit from you being your most collected and present self, as will you!
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