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Has your cat eaten lucky bamboo? Are you worried that lucky bamboo can make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! It can be scary when our fur babies eat something they shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ll take a look at lucky bamboo and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Lucky Bamboo?
Bamboo has become a very popular houseplant in the last few years.
Did you know that lucky bamboo is not a true bamboo plant? It’s true! The two plants look very similar but are completely unrelated. The plant is known as “lucky bamboo,” which is actually called the Dracaena sanderiana, or a dracaena plant. Lucky bamboo is actually related to the Lily family.
You may also hear lucky bamboo referred to by other names, including ribbon dracaena, ribbon plant, curly bamboo, Chinese water bamboo friendship bamboo, goddess of mercy plant, or Belgian evergreen.
What happens if your cat eats lucky bamboo? Will it make her sick?
Is Lucky Bamboo Toxic to Cats?
Unfortunately, lucky bamboo is toxic to cats. The cat’s symptoms will depend on how much of the plant she’s eaten.
Symptoms of Lucky Bamboo Toxicity in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten some lucky bamboo:
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Seizures
- Coma
- Depression
- Excessive drooling
- Dilated pupils (pupils that are larger than normal)
- Lack of coordination
- Breathing difficulties
- Lack of appetite
If your cat is showing these symptoms, then it’s time to call the vet. Remember, your cat’s symptoms will depend on how much of the plant she’s eaten. For instance, if she’s had only a small nip at a leaf, then her symptoms will most likely be mild. However, it’s still a good idea to call the vet.
On the other hand, your cat’s symptoms will be worse if she’s eaten a large amount of the lucky bamboo. This could be an emergency, so be sure to call the vet right away. It’s best to err on the side of caution and make sure your kitty will be OK.
It is important to remember that your cat may not always have symptoms if they have eaten lucky bamboo. Therefore, it is very improtant to contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your pet may have eaten lucky bamboo. The sooner your pet receives veterinary care and advice, the better their chance of making a full recovery is.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.

Evie Moloney, RCVS
This article has been reviewed and approved by an independent Veterinarian: Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming.
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