Indoor Plants: What’s Safe for My Pets?

Learn which indoor plants may be toxic to your pets.

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

For cat owners, staying on the careful side when buying indoor plants is crucial to keeping your furry friends healthy. Cats don’t have the ability to digest many plants properly, unlike humans. Here are some common plants toxic to cats.

Plants Toxic to Cats

• Aloe Vera
• Autumn Crocus
• Azalea
• Bird of Paradise
• Crocosmia
• Daffodil
• Daisy
• Chrysanthemum
• Dracaena
• Elephant Ears
• Euphorbia
• Fern Palm
• Fig
• Foxglove
• Geranium
• Holly
• Horse Chestnut
• Hyacinth
• Iris
• Ivy
• Jade
• Kalanchoe
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Lily
• Mint
• Mum
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Poinsettia
• Primrose
• Sago Palm
• Shatavari
• Snake Plant
• John’s Wort
• Tulip
• Yucca Cane

Keep in mind this is in no way the full list of all plants considered potentially toxic to cats. When shopping for indoor plants, be sure to first double-check the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List, which is an online database that lists the names, photos, and descriptions of various plants and whether or not they are toxic to cats, dogs, or horses.

Dogs’ digestive systems, on the other hand, are a bit more forgiving; however, they are still very sensitive to specific plant types. Here’s a list of common plants toxic to dogs.

Plants Toxic to Dogs

• Aloe Vera
• Autumn Crocus
• Azalea
• Bird of Paradise
• Chamomile
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil
• Dieffenbachia
• Elephant Ears
• English Ivy
• Eucalyptus
• Fig
• Foxglove
• Gardenia
• Geranium
• Holly
• Jade
• Kalanchoe
• Lavender
• Mint
• Nightshade
• Oleander
• Peace Lily
• Panda Plant
• Poinsettia
• Primrose
• Sago Palm
• Shatavari
• Snake Plant
• John’s Wort
• Tulip
• Yucca

Symptoms of Toxicity

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

Now that you know what plants to avoid, here are some popular indoor plants that are considered safe around cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA.

• Bamboo Palm
• Boston Fern
• Blue Echeveria
• Ghost Plant
• Majesty Palm
• Orchid
• Parlor Palm
• Ponytail Palm
• Prayer Plant
• Sedum
• Spider Plant
• Zebra Haworthia

Note: For other types of pets, always check with your veterinarian first before introducing a new indoor plant to your home.

How to Maintain Pet Health

In addition to avoiding growing toxic plants around pets, you can help maintain your pet’s health with a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and nutritional pet supplements. Brands like Pet Wellbeing and PetAlive offer products made with all-natural ingredients from plants and herbs formulated for targeted pet health needs for dogs and cats of all ages.

What pet-friendly indoor plants are your favorites? Share your thoughts below!