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Shrimp Cactus
Schlumbergera russelliana · Cactaceae
How it looks
Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera) is a cactus with succulent branches made of flat segments arranged in trailing rows. It has no spines, and in winter funnel-shaped pink, red, or white flowers hang from the branch tips. Grown as a hanging plant, it reaches 12–20 in (30–50 cm) long.
Schlumbergera russelliana is the cactus the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats under the name "Shrimp Cactus". What shops sell as "Christmas cactus" is usually a different species (Schlumbergera truncata), which this app rates caution. Its short spines can still cause a physical injury, though, so put the pot somewhere off the routes your cat takes.
Guide for parents
One note on species first. This page rests on the ASPCA verdict for Schlumbergera russelliana, listed there as "Shrimp Cactus". The ASPCA carries the same species a second time under the name "Christmas Cactus" (Schlumbergera bridgesii), a name international checklists treat as a synonym of this one, so this app keeps them as a single page. What is sold in Korea as gebal cactus or Christmas cactus is usually a different line in the same genus, Schlumbergera truncata, which has its own entry here. A word of caution: that species has no confirmed cat-specific verdict, so this app rates it caution. If you bought yours from a shop, it is more likely to be that one — read the Crab Cactus page as well.
A safe cactus, but the spines can lodge in a mouth or paw, so placement matters.
Curious young cats may pat at the spines and end up with a hurt nose or paw pad — keep it on a shelf that's hard to reach.
If a spine gets stuck, pull it straight out with tweezers, and if it won't come out easily, have a vet remove it.
Details
- Scientific name
- Schlumbergera russelliana
- Common name
- Shrimp Cactus
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Source
- ASPCA cats plant list
Also known as
Related plants
Same plant family· Cactaceae
Other safe flowers
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