During spring and summer months, seasonal indoor plants become staple additions to homes across the nation. From hardy spider plants and palms to decorative flowers, succulents and cacti – there are so many species, colors and textures to choose from. But what if you have pets? Unfortunately, many houseplants are actually toxic to dogs and cats when ingested, and curiosity is hard to control when your pet likes to climb, dig, and chew! Continue reading to learn what indoor plants are safe and which ones pet owners should avoid.
Plants and Pets
Pets, like cats and dogs, love exploring. Sometimes, they might nibble on your indoor plants out of curiosity. But not all plants are safe for them. Some can make pets sick, and in severe cases, even deadly. That’s why choosing the right plants for your home is super important if you have pets. Let’s take a look at a few plants to be wary of:
Plants Toxic to Cats
Cats are curious by nature, often exploring their environment with their mouths. This curiosity can lead them into trouble if they come across certain indoor plants. Cat owners should be vigilant for symptoms of poisoning, which can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, and more severe reactions like seizures or difficulty breathing. Awareness and prevention are key to ensuring the safety of our feline friends.
- Lilies: Extremely toxic to cats, even in small amounts. Can cause kidney failure.
- Sago Palm: Contains cycasin, which can lead to vomiting, liver failure, and potentially death.
- Azalea: Ingestion can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and a drop in blood pressure.
- Oleander: Highly toxic, causing severe vomiting, heart issues, and could be fatal.
- Autumn Crocus: Its toxins can cause severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and organ damage.
- Tulips: The bulb contains allergens that can cause intense stomach upset, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities.
- Daffodil: Contains lycorine, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes, heart arrhythmias.
- Chrysanthemum: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and dermatitis.
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum): Can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
- Dieffenbachia: Contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, nausea, and difficulty swallowing.
Plants Toxic to Dogs
While dogs may have a somewhat more robust digestive system than cats, they are still susceptible to the toxic effects of certain indoor plants. Symptoms of toxicity in dogs can include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lethargy, and more serious conditions like seizures or cardiac problems. Dog owners must know these signs and act swiftly to ensure their pet’s well-being.
- Sago Palm: Even small amounts can cause vomiting, liver failure, and potentially death in dogs.
- Oleander: Its ingestion can lead to severe cardiac problems, gastrointestinal upset, and could be lethal.
- Azalea: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and weakness, potentially leading to coma or death.
- Autumn Crocus: Symptoms include severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure.
- Dieffenbachia: Contains irritants that can cause oral discomfort, drooling, nausea, and difficulty swallowing.
- Foxglove: Contains digitalis, which can cause cardiac failure, tremors, seizures, and death.
- Lilies (certain types like Easter lily, daylily, Asiatic lily): Can cause kidney failure in cats, but less toxic to dogs, yet can still cause gastrointestinal upset.
- Daffodil: Ingestion can lead to severe gastrointestinal upset, convulsions, and even cardiac arrhythmias.
- Tulips: The bulb contains compounds that can cause intense stomach upset, drooling, and heart issues.
- Cyclamen: Contains terpenoid saponins, which can cause severe vomiting and gastrointestinal bleeding, potentially leading to death.
For both cat and dog owners, it’s crucial to keep these plants out of reach or avoid them altogether. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, contact a veterinarian immediately. Always refer to resources like the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List when adding plants to a home with pets.
How to Recognize Plant Toxicity Symptoms in Your Pet
There are many symptoms of toxicity that may occur if your pet has ingested potentially toxic plant material that can vary from vomiting or mild gastrointestinal upset to more life-threatening symptoms. Here are some common symptoms of possible pet poisoning.
- Difficulty breathing
- Drooling or difficulty swallowing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drinking and urinating
- Irregular heartbeat
- Skin irritation
- Redness, swelling or itchiness of the eyes, skin or mouth
- Lethargy
- Tremors
Toxic doses vary among plants. If you believe your pet has ingested a potentially toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or call the ASPCA’s 24-hour Emergency Animal Poison Control Center Hotline at (888) 426-4435.
Plants Considered Safe for Pets
For pet owners who love to greenify their living spaces, finding non-toxic and safe plants for furry family members is a top priority. Thankfully, many plants can coexist with pets, allowing you to create a vibrant, plant-filled home without compromising the health and safety of your pets. Here’s a selection of pet-friendly plants, each offering its own unique beauty and ease of care, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners.
Bamboo Palm
The Bamboo Palm is a pet-friendly plant that brings a lush, tropical feel to any indoor space without posing risks to pets. Its ability to thrive in low-light conditions and its robust nature make it a popular choice for decorating homes, offering a safe and stylish green oasis that both you and your pets can enjoy.
Boston Fern
A favorite among pet owners, the Boston Fern is celebrated for its lush green fronds and air-purifying qualities. Non-toxic to cats and dogs, it helps remove indoor air pollutants while adding a touch of wilderness to your home, all without worrying about pet poisoning.
Blue Echeveria
Known for its beautiful, rosette-shaped foliage, the Blue Echeveria is a succulent that’s both easy to care for and safe for pets. Its drought tolerance and minimal care requirements make it an ideal choice for busy pet owners who want to add a pop of greenery without the fuss.
Ghost Plant
The Ghost Plant, with its unique, pale foliage and resilient nature, is perfectly suited for homes with pets. This succulent is known for its non-toxic properties, ensuring that its intriguing aesthetic can be safely enjoyed in any pet-inclusive household.
Majesty Palm
The Majesty Palm offers a safe and stylish option for pet owners looking to add a tropical flair to their indoor spaces. With its towering fronds and easy-going nature, it’s a pet-friendly plant that doesn’t skimp on elegance, requiring just a bit of light and regular watering to thrive alongside your furry friends.
Orchid
Orchids are not only breathtakingly beautiful but also safe for pets, making them a splendid choice for households with furry members. While non-toxic, it’s best to place orchids out of reach to prevent any possible damage to the plant or minor digestive upset from curious nibbles.
Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm is a charming addition to any pet-friendly home, known for its compatibility with low-light conditions and non-toxicity to pets. Its elegant fronds can add a dash of refinement to any room, all while being perfectly safe for your pets to be around.
Ponytail Palm
With its unique, water-storing trunk and cascading leaves, the Ponytail Palm is a quirky and low-maintenance plant that’s safe for pets. Its distinctive look and easy care make it a fun and worry-free choice for adding greenery to pet-inclusive homes.
Prayer Plant
The Prayer Plant is fascinating due to its leaf movements, mimicking the act of prayer as day turns to night. Safe for pets, this plant adds dynamic visual interest to your space, with the added bonus of being non-toxic and pet-friendly.
Sedum
Sedum plants are known for their versatility and safety for pets, making them an excellent choice for pet owners new to the world of plant care. These succulents are drought-tolerant, thriving with minimal water, and their diverse shapes and colors can liven up any space without posing a threat to curious pets.
Spider Plant
The Spider Plant is renowned for its air-purifying capabilities and its safe status for pets. This plant is incredibly resilient and can thrive in a variety of conditions, making it a fantastic addition to any home. Its non-toxicity ensures that your pets can sniff around without any harm, while its ability to combat common household toxins benefits everyone.
Zebra Haworthia
The Zebra Haworthia stands out with its striking, striped leaves and is another succulent that’s perfectly safe for pets. Its low maintenance needs, requiring only occasional watering and moderate light, make it an ideal plant for pet owners seeking hassle-free indoor greenery
Tips for Maintaining Your Pet Healthy Around the Plants
Ensuring your pets and plants can coexist safely in your home requires a bit of planning and vigilance. Here are some strategies to help pet owners integrate plants into their homes without compromising their pets’ health:
- Choose the Right Plant Locations: Place plants out of reach of pets whenever possible. High shelves or hanging planters can keep plants away from curious mouths and paws. Consider using room dividers or pet gates to restrict access to areas with plants.
- Use Deterrents: You can use safe, pet-friendly deterrents to keep pets away from plants. For example, a light spray of water with a bit of lemon juice can deter cats from certain areas. There are also commercial pet repellent sprays designed to be safe and non-toxic.
- Recognize Signs of Potential Plant Toxicity: Be aware of symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, or unusual behavior, which could indicate your pet has ingested something harmful. Quick recognition of these signs can be crucial in seeking timely veterinary care.
What to Do if Your Pet Has Eaten a Toxic Plant?
If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, time is of the essence. Here’s what to do:
- Identify the Plant: Try to identify the plant your pet has ingested. If you’re unsure, a quick photo or a saved sample can help veterinarians or poison control experts diagnose faster.
- Contact a Veterinarian or Poison Control: Immediately call your veterinarian or a pet poison control center. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) is a valuable resource, available 24/7.
- Remove Remaining Plant Material: Safely remove any pieces of the plant from your pet’s mouth, if possible, and clear any remaining plant material from their reach to prevent further ingestion.
- Follow Professional Advice: Follow the advice given by the veterinarian or poison control expert, which may include bringing your pet in for examination or administering first aid at home.
Best Pet Supplements for Reducing Plant Allergy Symptoms
Managing allergies in pets requires a comprehensive approach that includes treating symptoms and strengthening their immune system to handle allergens better. Here are the top-selling pet allergy medicines available on the NHC store, designed to provide relief and improve your pet’s tolerance to allergens:
Progena Allergena Allergy Relief for Pets: A homeopathic solution that strengthens your pet’s immune system against allergens, alleviating symptoms like itching and sneezing. It’s alcohol-free and includes Echinacea for extra immune support.
Dr. Mercola Seasonal Support For Cats & Dogs: This supplement uses herbs and vitamins to support a healthy immune system and normal histamine levels, helping pets find relief from seasonal allergies’ skin irritation and inflammation.
Boiron AllergyCalm Meltaway Tablets: These non-drowsy, homeopathic tablets provide year-round relief from hay fever and respiratory allergies, targeting symptoms such as itchy eyes and runny nose without any artificial additives.
FAQ Section
Which indoor plants are safe for dogs and cats?
Safe indoor plants for both dogs and cats include Spider Plants, Boston Ferns, and African Violets. These plants add greenery to your home without posing a risk to your pets.
How can plants be toxic to pets if ingested?
Plants can be toxic to pets if they contain certain chemicals, oils, or other substances that pets cannot metabolize. Ingestion can lead to various symptoms, depending on the substance and the amount ingested.
What symptoms indicate my pet has eaten a toxic plant?
Symptoms of plant toxicity in pets can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, and more severe signs like seizures or difficulty breathing. Any unusual behavior should prompt a call to your vet.
How do I keep my pets away from harmful plants?
Keep harmful plants out of reach, use pet deterrents, and consider pet-friendly plants for your home. Also, educate yourself on which plants are toxic and monitor your pets’ interaction with indoor greenery.
Are there non-toxic flowering plants safe for pets?
Yes, there are non-toxic flowering plants safe for pets, such as African Violets, Orchids, and Spider Plants. These plants allow you to enjoy colorful blooms without worrying about pet safety.
What immediate steps should I take if a plant is ingested?
If your pet ingests a toxic plant, immediately remove any remaining plant material from their mouth, identify the plant ingested, and contact your veterinarian or a pet poison control center for advice.
Are there any pet supplements to reduce plant allergy symptoms?
Yes, supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and certain homeopathic remedies can help reduce symptoms of plant allergies in pets by supporting the immune system and skin health.
Are probiotics effective for pets with plant allergies?
Probiotics can be effective for pets with plant allergies as they support gut health and the immune system, potentially reducing allergic reactions and improving overall health.
