Cactus Flower Archives - Best Cactus Guide

Cacti come in many varieties, but certain species are especially dangerous for cats to eat. Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) is a good example of this. The cactus itself is safe to eat; it has the tiny spines, often called "commas," that make eating prickly pear unsafe. The spines can get stuck in your cat's mouth and throat as he eats, causing irritation and discomfort, or even worse, punctures to the tongue or esophagus. These types of cacti don't usually cause problems for people or animals who eat them on purpose; however, if eaten accidentally or by an animal like a cat or dog, they can cause serious problems. These tiny needles can be particularly dangerous because they're so small that they can be hard to see right away, especially if your pet is covered in them. There's a real risk of an infection developing, which can in some cases lead to blindness and other serious health problems. Be sure to keep your cactus away from curious cats, particularly if you have curious kittens around. I’d never allow a cat anywhere near a prickly pear or anything remotely like it. These spines are harmless if they are not broken, but glochids - those little hair-like things that come off the plants can be a real pain because they just stick right into any skin with even a gentle brushing of the plant. They're so sharp that they'll stick into your hand almost like needles and they're hard to get out too. Is Prickly Pear Safe For Cats? The prickly pear cactus is a common ornamental type of cactus but it's not suitable for cats because it has tiny needles or spines that make it harmful to people - and especially to pets! Can Cats Have Cactus Fruit? Although your cat shouldn’t have a chance at munching or consuming your cactus fruit and it’s relatively nontoxic, it shouldn’t come into contact with the plant. Your cat could be injured from chewing spines in your prickly pear cactus. The most important concern is what effect this could have. Although plants of the cactus family are not typically toxic to cats, they can still cause problems if one eats them. Cacti are known to cause irritation and swelling in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, which can result in vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, long-term consumption of cacti can lead to dehydration and kidney failure. Because of this, it’s important that you keep your cactus out of reach of your feline friend. Is Prickly Pear Cactus Poisonous? Although many forms of cacti fruits exist, none of them are toxic. There is nothing inherently dangerous about consuming a cactus fruit. There is only one difference between fruit from different cacti species that is certain: some fruits are a bit bitter and sour compared to others. When you consume a cactus fruit, whether you realize it or not, you are also ingesting small amounts of the cactus' skin and thorns—which can irritate the esophagus and digestive tract. The only way to completely avoid this irritation is to remove all the skin and thorns before eating, which can be quite time-consuming. Are Prickly Pear Cactus Needles Poisonous to Cats? Prickly Pear Cactus is not a harmful plant to your cat. It is a good source of water for them because it has large amounts of pulp that can be eaten by felines. This particular species of cactus does not have any chemicals that are poisonous to cats, dogs, or humans. If you do find some on your property and you don’t want it there, use gloves when handling it so that you don’t get poked by the needles yourself. There are few dangers to cats posed by this plant, unlike others that have dangerous compounds in them. Your cat may come in contact with the plant’s spines, however, and could possibly ingest some of the sap. In small quantities, the sap is not likely to cause any serious side effects. However, if your cat has gotten ahold of a large amount of it, you may observe vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. If this is the case, take your feline friend to the veterinarian as soon as possible so they can do their best to help you and your cat. Why Is My Cat Trying to Eat My Prickly Pear Cactus? Cats are curious animals, and some of them can be very adventurous. Prickly Pear Cactus is the most common plant that cats tend to attack because of its unusual and strange appearance. When your cat smells or sees something new, he might want to try it out. When you see your cat attacking your Prickly Pear Cactus, this is actually a warning sign that it needs more attention from you. Is Your Cat Attacking Your Prickly Pear Cactus? If so you should: - First try keeping it out of reach from your cat. This means putting it on top of a high shelf or in an area where your cat does not typically go. - Next, try making the cactus less appealing by spraying it with something unpleasant (like rubbing alcohol) or putting bitter apple spray on it. - If your cat continues to bother the plant then you may need to move it or get rid of it altogether if your cat is just too interested in chewing plants. What Eats Prickly Pear Cactus in the Desert? In addition to humans, many animals feed on prickly pear. Often, this feeding behavior can be problematic for animals because some species of Opuntia have a secondary compound called raphides, which may cause gastrointestinal distress in animals that ingest them. This results in vomiting and diarrhea. Camels are one animal that has specialized adaptations to allow them to eat prickly pear without suffering from gastrointestinal distress. Camels can digest woody fiber because they have three stomachs. They consume prickly pear with the aid of microorganisms within their digestive system that breaks down the components in the plant that cause gastrointestinal distress in other animals.