As a pet parent, it is your responsibility to make sure that your house is safe for your furry friend, but some hazards are less well known than others. Here is our quick guide to knowing which House Plants are safe in pet households.
Toxic Houseplants for Dogs
You may be surprised to find that some of the most common houseplants can actually be very dangerous for your dog. If your dog chews on or eats parts of a toxic plant, he could be poisoned. To eliminate the risk for poisoning, make sure to keep these toxic houseplants out of your home:
- Asparagus Fern
- Aloe Plant
- Corn Plant (dracaena, ribbon plant)
- Dieffenbachia
- Elephant Ear
- Jade Plant
- Peace Lily
- Philodendron
- Poinsettia
- Sago Palm
- Silk Pothos
Toxic House Plants for Cats
Cats may not have the same tendency to get into things they shouldn’t as dogs do, but they do love to sniff and brush their bodies up against plants and flowers. To prevent your cat from being poisoned by the plants in your house, avoid these common houseplants:
- Asparagus fern
- Aloe Plant
- Corn Plant (dracaena, ribbon plant)
- Dieffenbachia
- Elephant Ear
- Easter Lily
- Jade Plant
- Stargazer Lily
- Peace Lily
- Philodendron
- Poinsettia
- Sago Palm
- Silk Pothos
Outdoor Plants Toxic to Pets
There are a variety of outdoor plants that can be toxic for pets as well. If you have any of these plants in your yard or garden, you should either remove them or install a fence around them to keep your pet away.
- Amaryllis
- Aloe Plant
- Azalea
- Baby’s Breath
- Begonia
- Carnations
- Castor Bean
- Chrysanthemum
- Cyclamen
- Daffodil
- Gladiola
- Hosta
- Ivy
- Lilies
- Milkweed
- Morning Glory
- Oleander
- Rhododendron
- Tomato Plant
- Tulips
- Yew
Safe Plants for Dogs and Cats
Now that you have learned about the houseplants and landscaping plants that are dangerous for cats and dogs, you may be wondering if there are any left that aren’t dangerous. There are, in fact, quite a few plants that are safe for cats and dogs, including:
- African Daisy
- African Violet
- Alyssum
- Bachelor’s Button
- Bamboo
- Button Fern
- Celosia
- Christmas Cactus
- Golden Palm
- Hens and Chicks
- Lamb’s Tail
- Orchids
- Pearl Plant
- Pony Tail Palm
- Roses
- Snapdragon
If you have any of the plants listed as toxic for cats and dogs in your house, make sure you place them somewhere your pet will not be able to reach them. Better yet, remove them from the house entirely. Your pet does not always know what is good for him and what is dangerous, so it is your responsibility to remove any potential threats for your pet’s safety.
If your pet ingested a plant and you are concerned please contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.
Content reviewed by a veterinarian
Photo ©iStock.com/glass-eye-studios
