Top 10 toxic houseplants for pets

    

Plants are a great way to brighten up a home! But no matter how green your thumb is, some plants are toxic for pets. Most plants produce toxins as a natural defense mechanism to protect themselves from being eaten by animals, insects or fungi. These chemicals can cause mild irritation or even severe reactions in pets, depending on the plant and the amount ingested. While some plants have evolved to be non-toxic or even edible, others rely on their toxicity to survive in the wild. Being mindful of poisonous plants for pets ensures your home remains safe and beautiful, too!

 

When choosing greenery to decorate your space, make sure you avoid these 10 common toxic household plants for pets that can harm cats and dogs.

1. Lilies.

   Beautiful though they may be, lilies are one of the most toxic house plants for cats. Ingesting even a small amount or licking a bit of pollen off their coat can cause kidney failure and death.

2. Philodendron.

   These resilient, easy-to-grow houseplants contain high levels of calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested, this plant can cause burns to the mouth, excessive drooling and vomiting. Other houseplants with high levels of calcium oxalate include the snake plant and pothos (devil’s ivy).

3. Oleander.

   Also known as Nerium, oleander is more commonly found in outdoor gardens, but some gardeners bring them inside for the winter. These plants contain cardiac glycosides, which can cause drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rhythm and neurologic signs.

4. Aloe.

   Both beautiful and functional, aloe is often used for its medicinal properties. But chewing on the plant can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. While the inner gel is generally considered non-toxic and is often used on scrapes and burns, do not use it on your pet.

5. Chrysanthemum.

   These bright fall flowers contain several toxic components that can cause illness in pets if ingested, including vomiting and incoordination. Luckily, symptoms are often mild as long as your pet has only eaten a small amount of the plant.

6. Hyacinth.

   The toxins in this spring-blooming perennial are concentrated in the roots and bulbs. Chewing on the bulbs can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, profuse drooling and burns to the mouth. Tulips also belong to the same plant family and can cause similar symptoms if the bulbs are ingested.

7. Jade plant.

   Common among succulent-lovers, the jade plant is also known as the money plant or lucky plant. Chewing on these succulents can lead to vomiting, depression and loss of balance. Not so lucky after all!

8. Sago palm.

   These leafy green ornamentals are highly toxic to pets! They contain cycasin, a toxin that causes severe liver failure within a few days of ingestion. All parts of the plant are toxic and ingestion can be fatal if not treated immediately.

9. Daffodil.

   These beautiful yellow and white flowers are a herald of spring. But ingestion of any part of the plant can trigger severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, convulsions and abnormal heart rhythm.

10. Asparagus fern.

    Also known as the foxtail fern or emerald fern, these plants are often used in hanging pots due to their feathery leaves and hardy nature. But it can cause skin irritation if your pet brushes against it. Eating the berries can also cause vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Choose your house plants wisely when you have pets!

Plants can brighten up a room and bring joy to both you and your pet. But it’s important to choose your houseplants carefully to avoid purchasing toxic houseplants for pets.

Before bringing a new plant home, consult the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List to make sure it is safe for your pet. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic houseplant, contact your veterinarian or Animal Poison Control right away.

Learn which plants are safe to grow in your garden. >>