Your Comprehensive Guide to Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants for Dogs and Cats
By Anastasia Zygarowicz - April 13, 2024. Reprinted with permission from animalwellnessmagazine.com
Plants can bring a home to life, but they can also pose a danger to dogs and cats who may view them as a snack. This article will help you identify common toxic and non-toxic houseplants.
Pet-proofing your home is a must when you’re a pet parent. Dogs and cats are curious creatures who love to explore their environments, even if there’s danger lurking. It’s up to pet parents to identify one of the most common and most-overlooked pet dangers: houseplants. Let’s look more closely at some toxic and non-toxic plants and how you can keep your dogs and cats safe.
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants Can Both Be a Problem
Non-toxic plants won’t harm an animal if ingested and are safe for them to investigate. However, too much of anything can be harmful, including non-toxic plants. Always monitor your dog or cat and the plant. For any plants that repeatedly get nibbled, relocate them to a higher location out of reach.
A toxic plant produces adverse effects if consumed by animals in any amount. If a dog or cat eats a piece of a toxic plant, seek veterinary care. Move small toxic plants out of reach or eliminate them entirely. For larger plants, make sure your dog or cat doesn’t:
Eat any part of the plant
Dig in the soil
Use the plant pot as a litter box
With toxic plants, not only are the leaves toxic, but also the stem and roots, so urge dogs and cats to hide their favorite toys elsewhere.
Whether picking out a new houseplant or identifying those in your home, read its care tag. Keep this information in a notebook/folder or note app in case you or your vet need it in the future.
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Guide
Pet-Safe Plants
Spider Plant
Calathea and Maranta
Palms (Areca, Parlour, Majesty Palms)
Fern varieties
Pilea varieties
Gerbera Daisy
Echeveria
Hoya varieties
African Violet
Cast Iron plant
Peperomia varieties
Christmas and Easter Cactus
Dischidia
Phalaenopsis Orchids
Fittonia Bromeliads
Tillandsia
Toxic Plants to Dogs and Cats
Dracaena (includes Lucky Bamboo Corn Plant Ribbon Plant)
Ficus benjamina
Ficus lyrata
Dieffenbachia and Dumbcane
Cyclamen
Begonia varieties
Ivy
Arrowhead Vine
Laurel Lily
Anthurium Spathiphyllum
Schefflera
Snake plant varieties
Angel’s Trumpet
Monstera varieties
Aglaonema varieties
Philodendron varieties
All types of Lilies (very deadly to cats!)
Holiday plants such as Poinsettia
Holly Amaryllis
Peace Lilies
Share this information too – the more pet parents know about the potential dangers of house plants, the safer we can keep our dogs and cats!
