Houseplants and pets can be a dangerous combination. However, pet owners also often love plants in their interior. The houseplant brings atmosphere, color and a variety of shapes in the house. Of course, houseplants are also super useful. They clean the air and ensure the supply of oxygen in the house.
Pets often love plants too. They like to dig, gnaw and nibble on all the greenery. Besides causing mess or damage to your plants, it can also pose a danger to your pet.
As beautiful and attractive as houseplants are, some types of plants are best kept away from your pets. There are a large number of houseplants that are toxic to pets. It is better not to place them in your home. A dog or cat does not intuitively know which plant is safe or not and a poisoning can have serious consequences for your pet. If your pet has accidentally eaten a poisonous plant, call your veterinarian immediately.
Which houseplants are toxic to dogs and cats?
Below is a list of popular houseplants that are toxic to your pet:
- Aloe Vera: toxic juice
- The Jade Plant: poisonous leaves
- Dieffenbachia: poisonous as a whole
- Dragon plant: poisonous leaves
- Dragon ivy: poisonous leaves
- Peace palm: poisonous leaves
- Chamber palm: toxic sap
- Palm lily: poisonous leaves
- Monstera: toxic as a whole
- Ficus: toxic sap
- Sansevieria/Women's tongue: poisonous as a whole
View the full list of plants that are toxic on the site of the National Pet Information Center (LICG). When in doubt, always ask a specialist or consult your veterinarian.
Which houseplants are non-toxic to dogs and cats?
Besides toxic houseplants, there are fortunately also houseplants that are not toxic to pets. So you can still decorate your interior with beautiful plants, but you do this in a safe way.
Below is a list of popular houseplants that you can safely put in your home along with your dog or cat:
- Banana plant / Musa
- Golden Palm
- Zipper Plant / Calathea
- Quarter plant / Aspidistra
- Aralia / Polyscias
- Pancake plant
- Kentia Palm
- Fishtail Palm / Caryota
- Elephant leg / Beaucarnea
- Dwarf palm
- Grass Lily
Of course, the above list is only a summary. Before bringing a new houseplant into your home, always research whether the plant is safe for your pet. Want to purchase a different type of houseplant, but are unsure if this type of plant is safe? Ask a store specialist or veterinarian.
Then you can savely leave your faithful pet friends at home along with your beloved houseplants.