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Common Houseplants Toxic to Pets

posted by Annie B. Bond Apr 17, 2008 6:00 am
filed under: Pets, Everyday Pet Care, Safety
Common Houseplants Toxic to Pets
29 comments

Adapted from The Puppy Owner’s Manual, by Diana Delmar (Storey Books, 2001).

We know to keep certain poisons—like antifreeze—away from our pets, but many people don’t know how toxic their houseplants are. When we avoid growing these 12 houseplants that are considered toxic, we can help to keep our pets safe.

Aloe vera
Boston ivy
Caladium
Dumbcane
English ivy
German ivy
India rubber plant
Mistletoe
Philodendron
Potted chrysanthemum
Weeping fig
Yew

More on Everyday Pet Care (103 articles available)
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29 comments

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29 comments add your comment
Bill U.
  • Bill U. says
  • Dec 18, 2009 12:38 PM

thanks

Brenda G.

I read somewhere else that Aloe is good for cats. I have Aloe plants and my cats sometimes chew on the ends of the leaves. It hasn't harmed them.

Catman P.

This is great information ~ Thanks.

Connie W.

Thanks for the list. I love house plants, but I love my pets more.

Lynn Miller

Thankyou for the info.

Lilith Graves

Thanks for the info. =)

Adam R.
  • Adam R. says
  • Nov 20, 2009 10:09 PM

Philodendron. Mildly toxic. Chewing or ingesting can result in irritation of the mouth and throat. Drooling and vomiting may also occur.
Boston Fern. Non-toxic
African Violet. Non-toxic
Ficus. Mildly toxic. Contact with the plant can result in skin irritation. Chewing or ingestion can result in vomiting and diarrhea.


dsi r4

Jennie C.

One plant that is safe for kids is the TickleMe Plant. It is the real plant that moves when you Tickle It! The leaves instantly fold and the branches droop. Its more like a pet then a plant.
You can see the plant in action and grow your on/
http://www.ticklemeplant.com. The kits make great holiday gifts

Paula P.

I used to give my dog aloe. In fact she was a lil thief when she was a pup and used to steal the leaves from my counter, and she was only about 4-6 months old. I really thought that since it didnt seem to bother her that it was just fine for her. I never noticed any loose stools or mucous or blood or dark spots. In fact her BM's were normal. Also no other noticable issues with coordination or fatigue.

I did hear about lilies when I got her and had to move all of my lilies around the yard so she wouldnt get into them. She got near one, and turned her nose up at it and scampered away. It seems that sometimes aminals know more about our environment than us. Perhaps it is because they are better connected to their surroundings than we are.

I would like to know the details of the implications of aloe and dogs/cats, since I cannot find details when I do a search on the net.

Also I read that onions and garlic are bad for dogs and cats. The genius causes anemia and other disturbances in them. If this is so then why are there yeast and garlic supplement powders for dogs and cats on the market? Just wondering.

Sandra Mason-Webb

Also, in answer to John - aloe vera is quite okay for humans to consume (in fact it is recommended for people with IBS), but dogs are not humans. Dogs have quite different digestive systems and react to things in a very different way to humans - this is why so many human foods (such as onions, chocolate, macadamia nuts etc) are toxic to dogs. I personally wouldn't take the risk with any plant or food item that I had even 'heard' could be toxic to dogs - who wants to find out the hard way that what they read was right??

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Adapted from The Puppy Owner’s Manual, by Diana Delmar (Storey Books, 2001). Copyright (c) 2001 by Diana Delmar. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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