THE 5 MOST TOXIC PLANTS FOR YOUR PETS AND 28 PET SAFE ALTERNATIVES.
I can’t tell you how many times I have googled an individual plant before buying it (or not buying it) and wished there was just a convenient list of plants to avoid and plants to get instead, to make my life easier. Well, look no further, I have put in the research and created such a list for you!!!
Plants to avoid:
Lilies: This is unfortunate because Lilies are my favorite flower but I love my animals more than I love flowers. Highly Toxic to Cats - Semi-Toxic to Dogs - Non-Toxic to Horses. Cats: kidney failure.
Rhododendrons & Azaleas: Be extra cautious with this one, as it often is found in neighborhoods and even along hiking trails. Toxic to Dogs - Toxic to Cats - Toxic to Horses. Symptoms include - vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, weakness, coma, hypotension, CNS depression, cardiovascular collapse and death. Ingestion of a few leaves can cause serious problems. Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion.
Sago Palms: I remember the first time I learned this, I had moved into a house with a pretty plant in the front yard, right outside the front door and googled to see what it was. A quick search told me to keep my dog away from it at all costs! Toxic to Dogs - Toxic to Cats - Toxic to Horses. Symptoms include - vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death.
Tulips: This is my sisters favorite plant but she had a dog so I never buy it for her. Toxic to Dogs - Toxic to Cats - Toxic to Horses. Symptoms include - vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation. Highest concentration of toxin in bulb.
Hydrangeas: The most popular plant in the world, be extra careful during neighborhood walks. Toxic to Dogs - Toxic to Cats - Toxic to Horses. Symptoms include - vomiting, depression, diarrhea.
Well now that we are all on edge, let’s talk about the plants that we CAN have in our home!!! I had no plans of leaving you without some safe options!
28 Pet safe plants:
African Violet: Scientific name, Saintpaulia spp.. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Roses: Scientific name, Rosa Specie
Feather Palm: Scientific name, Nephrolepis exaltata. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Bamboo: Scientific name, Phyllostachys aurea. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Begonia, Climbing: Scientific name, Cissus dicolor. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Blue Echeveria: Scientific name, Echeveria glauca. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Caeroba: Scientific name, Calathea insignis. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Calathea: Scientific name, Calathea spp. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Collinia Elegans: Scientific name, Chamaedorea elegans. Non-Toxic to Dogs & Non-Toxic to Cats.
Zebra Haworthia: Scientific name, Haworthia fasciata. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Watermelon Peperomia: Scientific name, Peperomia argyreia. Non-Toxic to Dogs & Non-Toxic to Cats.
Venus Fly Trap: Scientific name, Dionaea muscipula. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Vining Peperomia: Scientific name, Peperomia serpens variegata. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Toad Spotted Cactus: Scientific Name, Stapelia variegata. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Spider Plant: Scientific Name, Chlorophytum comosum. Non-Toxic to Dogs & Non-Toxic to Cats.
Sunflower: Scientific Name, helianthus angustifolius. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses
Fairy Fountain: Scientific Name, Celosia cristata. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Hibiscus: Scientific Name, Hibiscus syriacus. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Lace Orchid: Scientific Name, Odontoglossum crispum. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Mexican Rosettes: Scientific Name, Echevaria. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Money Tree: Scientific Name, Pachira aquatica. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Mulberry Tree: Scientific Name, Morus sp.Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Painted Lady: Scientific Name, Echeveria multicaulis. Non-Toxic to Dogs & Non-Toxic to Cats.
Polka Dot Plant: Scientific Name, Hypoestes phyllostachya.Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Pony Tail: Scientific Name, Beaucarnea recurvata. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Prayer Plant: Scientific Name, Calathea insignis. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Nasturtium: Scientific Name, Tropaeolum majus. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
Cat Grass: Also known as wheatgrass or oatgrass. Non-Toxic to Dogs, Non-Toxic to Cats, Non-Toxic to Horses.
So as you can see, there is no shortage of beautiful plants that we can safely have in out homes and our yards. This is not an exhaustive list, there are dozens of others as well and you can use the links I provided below, to look up specific plants that are not listed here on either the good or bad list.
Resources that I used an available to look up other plants:
If your pet has ingested a plant and you need immediate assistance, you can call the ASPCA Animal Pet Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. Of course I recommend heading to the vet first but if you are not near a clinic and want someone to walk you through what to do until you can get to the vet, call this number right away.
I hope this helps! Please share this post with someone who loves their fur babies!