---
title: "I’ve had my trusty ZZ for close to 5 years now. It seems to be pretty…"
description: "I’ve had my trusty ZZ for close to 5 years now. It seems to be pretty happily neglected and has put off 4 new shoots recently. Somewhere along the way, my cat…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/kca-NvecTke1iMymr0DV0Q"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "SydneyT"
published: "2024-02-21T17:41:23.889887Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/KV-oPiRDxTln569z3xVHbTEUgp0Q16w5NErKFZnN-iU/l1tp6WOoRJe8DFiqjkPk4w.webp?size=large"
---

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# I’ve had my trusty ZZ for close to 5 years now. It seems to be pretty…

_Posted by SydneyT on 2024-02-21_

I’ve had my trusty ZZ for close to 5 years now. It seems to be pretty happily neglected and has put off 4 new shoots recently. Somewhere along the way, my cat decided it would be a tasty snack so in addition to some leaf damage, I’ve started noticing some dark spots along some of the older stems. Is the from the cat attack or age related? Something else, maybe?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/KV-oPiRDxTln569z3xVHbTEUgp0Q16w5NErKFZnN-iU/l1tp6WOoRJe8DFiqjkPk4w.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/KV-oPiRDxTln569z3xVHbTEUgp0Q16w5NErKFZnN-iU/zjHYbWDRQ-C6Gz4BiJNlpg.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Catherine commented on 2024-02-21

Could your cat be doing something else besides chewing? I gave my son a beautiful plant (dumb cane). That was thriving and then he brought a male neutered cat into the family. Suddenly the plant started showing signs of stress. We finally figured out he was occasionally doing his business in there. Just saying. Animals fall back on instincts

#### SydneyT replied on 2024-02-21

I don’t think so, unless he’s doing some major acrobatics…it’s on a small plant stand so I don’t think he could manage that.

#### Catherine replied on 2024-02-21

Ha!! That’s good. My son’s plant was on the floor so no acrobatics required lol

### Tigerlilly commented on 2024-02-21

dark spots on ZZ stems is perfectly normal. but I think ZZs are mildly toxic to cats.

#### Tigerlilly replied on 2024-02-21

oh thanks! I read mild in one article but I probably should’ve checked the ASPCA site. thanks again!

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