Sonia
Do you enjoy decorating your home with plants? Then, it is critical for you to recognize that not every plant is good for pets. In fact, some plants are even dangerous for your furry friend. The following are 20 houseplants and flowers that can impact your pets negatively or should be grown out of their exposure.
Lilies
If you have cats, steer clear of lilies. All parts of these plants, from the petals to the pollen, are extremely toxic to cats. Even a little nibble can lead to severe kidney problems or, worse, be fatal. It is not worth the risk, so it is best to admire these beauties from afar or in a cat-free home.
Sago Palm
Sago palms look pretty cool with their thick trunks and feathery leaves, but they’re a big no-no around pets. Including its seeds, the plant in its entirety is toxic. Ingesting even a small amount can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, liver failure. Make sure to keep these palms out of your pet’s reach, or choose a safer alternative.
Tulips
Tulips are a spring favorite, but did you know the bulbs are particularly harmful to dogs and cats? They contain compounds that can trigger intense stomach upset, heart issues, and convulsions. While the flowers and leaves can cause milder symptoms, the bulb is the most dangerous. If you are a tulip lover, maybe keep them in an area your pet can’t access.
Oleander
Oleander is stunning with its pink, red, or white blooms, but it is seriously bad news for both cats and dogs. Ingesting even a small amount of any part of the plant can cause fatal heart abnormalities, severe vomiting, and lethargy. This is one you definitely want to skip if you have curious pets at home.
Aloe Vera
You might know aloe vera for its skin-soothing gel, but it is not so soothing for pets. While the gel itself is generally non-toxic, the outer part of the leaves contains a laxative that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats. It is best to keep this plant on a high shelf or in a closed-off room if you can’t resist its health benefits for yourself.
Azaleas
Azaleas are quite popular due to their beautiful, vibrant blooms, but they are toxic to pets. Eating just a few leaves can cause oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and a drop in blood pressure in dogs and cats. Severe azalea poisoning could even lead to coma or death. If you have pets, you might want to skip this one and go for a safer flowering option.
Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Dieffenbachia, or Dumb Cane, is popular in many homes for its lush, patterned foliage. However, it contains a toxin that can numb the tongue, cause swelling, and irritate the mouth and throat if chewed by pets. These symptoms can prevent your pet from being able to eat or drink, posing a serious health risk.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen is known for its striking flowers and decorative leaves, but the roots are especially toxic to pets. If ingested, they can cause severe vomiting and even lead to death. It is best to keep cyclamen out of your house or in an area that your pets absolutely cannot reach.
Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy, is another popular houseplant because of its hardiness and attractive, heart-shaped leaves. However, it can cause significant mouth and stomach irritation and can lead to swelling and vomiting if ingested by pets. It is a common plant, so many pet owners might not realize the risk it poses.
Peace Lily
Peace Lilies are another plant that is not so peaceful when it comes to pet health. While they are not as toxic as some other plants on this list, they can still cause irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested by pets. If you are concerned about your pet’s curiosity, it is wise to keep these plants out of their reach.
Castor Bean
Despite its popularity for the dramatic, tropical look it can add to gardens, the castor bean plant is highly toxic to pets. The seeds contain ricin, a potent toxin, and ingesting even one seed can be fatal to pets. If you have this plant, ensure it is completely inaccessible to your pets, or consider removing it entirely.
Caladium
Caladiums are admired for their vibrant, heart-shaped leaves, which can be a stunning addition to any home. However, like dieffenbachia, the plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause severe irritation to the mouth, lips, and digestive tract, leading to difficulty swallowing and vomiting if ingested by pets. It is better to admire this plant from a distance if you have curious animals around.
Autumn Crocus
The autumn crocus is beautiful but deceptive. It blooms in the fall and can easily be mistaken for the less toxic spring crocus. However, it contains colchicine, a substance that is highly toxic to pets, causing severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure. Be very cautious with this plant, especially given its severe effects.
Yew
Yew plants are used both in landscaping and as houseplants. However, almost all parts of the yew plant are toxic to dogs and cats, except for the flesh of the berries. The seeds, leaves, and bark contain compounds that can cause severe cardiac issues, leading to sudden heart failure in some cases. It is crucial to keep this plant away from pets at all costs.
English Ivy
English Ivy, often used as a decorative plant both inside and outside the home, contains triterpenoid saponins which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and diarrhea if ingested by pets. In severe cases, it can also lead to breathing difficulties, coma, or even death. Keeping this plant out of reach or avoiding it entirely might be wise if you have pets.
Begonias
Begonias are a popular choice for many gardeners and indoor plant enthusiasts due to their colorful blooms and attractive foliage. However, the tubers of begonias are especially toxic to pets, causing oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It is best to keep these plants well out of reach of curious pets or opt for a different species altogether.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are beloved for their lush, tropical leaves and easy care, but they are not so friendly when it comes to our pets. Similar to pothos, they contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are closely related to azaleas and equally toxic to pets. Ingesting even a few leaves can cause severe reactions in dogs and cats, including drooling, diarrhea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can lead to coma or death due to cardiac failure. If you have pets, it is wise to choose a different plant for your garden or home.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis is especially popular during the holiday season for its striking red flowers, but it is not so festive for pets! Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, and tremors are some outcomes of ingesting its toxic bulb.The severity of the poisoning is usually related to the amount ingested, so keeping these plants out of pets’ reach is crucial.
Jade Plant
Also known as the rubber plant, the jade plant is a common succulent that can add a touch of green to your home. However, it is toxic to cats and dogs, potentially causing nausea, vomiting, and a slow heart rate. Symptoms might not appear right away, which makes it particularly dangerous if pets chew on it unnoticed.
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