The Hidden Dangers in Your Home: Toxic Plants for Cats and Dogs
- May 29, 2024
- 4 min read
By: Carolina
Keeping Your Pets Safe: A Guide to Toxic Plants
Hello, dear readers! Today, I want to share an important discovery I made recently that could help keep your fur babies safe and healthy. As a proud pet parent and plant enthusiast, I’ve always loved having greenery around my home. However, a recent incident with my cat, Celeste, highlighted a hidden danger in my love for plants. I hope my experience will be helpful to you and your pets.
The Day Celeste Snacked on My Pothos
It all started this spring when I decided to propagate as many of my plants as possible and create a butterfly garden. My home was filled with various beautiful plants, including a huge, lush Pothos that I had skillfully wrapped around tomato plant holders, creating a stunning green cascade. One day, while working on my garden project, I noticed Celeste, our curious one-year-old cat, having a little snack on my beloved Pothos.
To my horror, I discovered that Pothos is toxic to cats. I immediately started connecting the dots—Celeste had been coughing and making a low meow, symptoms we couldn’t quite understand until now. Fortunately, Celeste is okay, but it was a wake-up call to check the safety of all my plants.
Indoor Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs
Having greenery indoors is wonderful, but certain houseplants can be harmful to your pets. Here’s a list of common houseplants that are toxic to cats and dogs:
Aloe Vera: While beneficial for humans, it's toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhea.
Alocasia: Ingestion can lead to severe oral irritation and swelling.
Ant Plant: Known to cause gastrointestinal upset.
Anthurium: Can cause oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Arrowhead Vine: Causes oral irritation and difficulty swallowing.
Asparagus Fern: Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Bird of Paradise: Toxic to cats and dogs, causing digestive issues and vomiting.
Caryota Mitis: Known to cause mild irritation and gastrointestinal distress.
Castanospermum: Can cause severe gastrointestinal upset.
Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa): Causes oral irritation, swelling, and vomiting.
Chinese Evergreen: Can cause irritation of the mouth and throat, and vomiting.
Clusia: Toxic if ingested, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
Cyclamen: Ingestion can cause severe vomiting and even death in high doses.
Dracaena: Causes vomiting (sometimes with blood), loss of appetite, and increased salivation.
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia): Causes oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
English Ivy: Causes vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and diarrhea.
Ficus Benjamina: Ingestion can lead to skin irritation and gastrointestinal problems.
Fiddle Leaf Fig: Can cause oral irritation, salivation, and vomiting.
Homalomena: Known to cause mild gastrointestinal issues.
Iron Cross Begonia: Can cause kidney failure in cats and dogs.
Jade Plant: Causes vomiting, depression, and incoordination.
Kalanchoe: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and heart arrhythmias.
Peace Lily: Causes irritation of the mouth, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Pencil Cactus: Can cause irritation and digestive upset.
Philodendron: Causes oral irritation, swelling, and vomiting.
Poinsettia: Mildly toxic, causing irritation of the mouth and stomach, sometimes vomiting.
Polyscias Fabian: Can cause mild gastrointestinal distress.
Pothos: Causes irritation of the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Rubber Plant: Can cause mild irritation.
Sago Palm: Extremely toxic, can cause liver failure and death.
Sansevieria (Snake Plant): Causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Schefflera: Causes oral irritation, vomiting, and kidney failure.
Tradescantia: Can cause mild irritation.
Yucca: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
Zamioculcas: Can cause irritation and digestive upset.
Outdoor Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs
If your pets have access to your garden, it’s essential to be aware of the outdoor plants that can harm them. Some of these include:
Azalea: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiovascular collapse.
Autumn Crocus: Causes severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure.
Chrysanthemum: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, and dermatitis.
Daffodils: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even cardiac arrhythmias.
Delphinium: Causes gastrointestinal upset, muscular weakness, and seizures.
Foxglove: Extremely toxic, causing heart issues and death.
Fritillary: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and salivation.
Gloriosa Superba: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and kidney failure.
Hyacinth: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors.
Juniper: Can cause digestive issues and kidney problems.
Lilies: Extremely toxic, especially to cats, causing kidney failure and death.
Lily of the Valley: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and heart arrhythmias.
Nerium Oleander: Extremely toxic, can cause heart problems and death.
Nicotiana: Causes nausea, vomiting, and central nervous system issues.
Ornithogalum Umbellatum: Can cause gastrointestinal distress.
Rhododendron: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and heart arrhythmias.
Rhubarb: Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney failure.
Tomato Plant: Leaves and stems can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivation.
Tulips: Can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, and hypersalivation.
Vinca Minor: Causes mild digestive upset.
Yew: Causes difficulty breathing, tremors, and death.
Symptoms of Plant Poisoning in Pets
If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, look out for the following symptoms and seek immediate veterinary help:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Excessive drooling
Twitching
Seizures
Difficulty breathing
Collapsing
Shock
Coma
Actions to Take
If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, contact your vet immediately. For urgent help, you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Additionally, if your pet is microchipped with a company such as HomeAgain, your membership might include a consultation with a veterinarian, which can provide valuable guidance in such emergencies.
Final Thoughts
Remember, I’m not a vet or a master gardener, just a fur baby mama sharing my experience to help keep your pets safe. If your pet has ingested a toxic or poisonous plant, please seek professional help immediately.
By being aware and making small adjustments, we can ensure our homes are safe and happy places for all our family members, both furry and human. Stay safe and happy gardening!
Call to Action
Do you have any tips or experiences with keeping your pets safe around plants? Share your stories in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more pet wellness tips and holistic healing insights.
With love and light,
Carolina
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