Is Night-Blooming Cereus Poisonous to Cats?

A member of the cactus family, night-blooming cereus (Hylocereus undatus) produces large, fragrant flowers on warm summer evenings. They bloom at night, dependent on moths for their pollination. If you spot your kitty sneaking a snack from the cereus plant any time of day, don't worry too much -- it's not toxic to cats, according to the ASPCA. But other dangers associated with eating the plant may exist.

  1. Why Cats Eat Plants

    • As carnivores, cats don't eat plants of any kind for nutrition. But the ASPCA reports about one in three house cats occasionally munches on plants, so the behavior is common. No single reason makes cats enjoy a snack of vegetation. A cat might see the leaves blowing in the wind and decide to catch the plant in his mouth, inadvertently taking a bite; or he might just be trying something new. He might like its smell or taste. But not all plants are safe for him to eat.

    Nontoxic

    • If you enjoy the warm-weather blooms of your night-blooming cereus, there's no reason to toss it out just because your cat likes to take a bite here and there. It's not poisonous to cats or dogs. If your cat pulls off too much foliage with his paws or mouth, he can damage the plant, however.

    Upset Stomach

    • Because they're true carnivores, cats don't gain much nutritional value from eating plants. Although the cereus plant is nontoxic, too much of any type of vegetation can upset your cat's tummy. A few bites shouldn't cause any problems, but stop your cat before he eats too much so he won't vomit or have diarrhea later -- some people believe cats purposefully eat plants sometimes to induce vomiting as a way to dislodge stubborn hairballs, but there's no scientific evidence of this.

    Chemical Dangers

    • The cereus plant might be nontoxic, but chemicals you use in your garden could be a different story. When your cat eats the plant leaves, he's also eating any herbicide, pesticide or fertilizer residue that rests on the leaves. These chemicals can poison your cat, leading to lethargy or excessive vomiting immediately after consuming the leaves. Take him to the vet right away if you suspect chemical poisoning. Using organic herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers can help eliminate this problem.