Dogs & Houseplants: Toxic Risks

by Ronel Forbes

May 4, 2023

While it is true that many plants are harmful to dogs, there are other, less dangerous ways to get your nature fixed. To discover more, go here.

Many people mistakenly believe that dogs and houseplants don’t get along, yet they can! The secret is understanding which plants and flowers are risk-free. Unfortunately, there are a lot of plants that are harmful to dogs, so if you want to keep your dog safe, you need to know which kinds to stay away from. However, since there are numerous healthy houseplants for dogs, there is no reason to completely disregard flora.

Continue reading to learn how to distinguish between poisonous and non-toxic types and to feel confident that your pet will be safe while you enjoy a little piece of nature within. Here are some specific plants that are poisonous to dogs, how they can hurt your pets, and safer substitutions to think about.

Please read: HOW CAN I TAKE CARE OF MY OLDEST DOG?

Examples of Potentially Poisonous Plants

Stop if you’re considering, for instance, bringing any of the following into your home. Some of the most well-liked indoor plants that dogs shouldn’t have access to include:

Aloe: Although aloe is attractive, simple to maintain, and well-known for the soothing gel it produces, dogs and cats cannot tolerate it.
Philodendron: Popular plants known for their long vines and endearing heart-shaped leaves, philodendrons can irritate a dog’s mouth and lips due to their insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
English Ivy: Ivy filters the air and is a low-maintenance plant alternative, but it can make dogs throw up, have stomach pain, and have diarrhea.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus has a tranquil, soothing aroma that makes it a perfect fit for baths and bedrooms, but it is dangerous for households with pets.
Jade: This rubber plant, which is renowned for being difficult to eradicate, is sadly poisonous to pets. It may result in depression, heart rate slowing, and vomiting.
Lily of the Valley: Even brief contact with the delicate and sweet-smelling lily of the valley can be harmful to a dog. This plant is extremely toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting, low blood pressure, confusion, seizures, or even a coma.
Tulips: These vibrant springtime blooms are poisonous to dogs and can result in anything from stomach trouble to appetite loss.
Begonia:Begonias are popular indoor plants because they thrive in low-light conditions. However, the fact that these plants are harmful to animals presents a challenge for pet owners.
Golden Pothos: The leafy vines of the golden pothos are simple to grow but can make dogs and cats throw up and irritate their mouths.
Fig Trees: Fig trees, commonly referred to as weeping figs or Indian rubber plants, can give pets stomach or cutaneous pain.
Nothing brightens a space like a lemon tree, but pet owners should avoid it since it may cause major gastrointestinal and dermatological problems for animals.

Risks associated with keeping houseplants when you have a dog

What might happen if your dog goes into a flower or shrub that could be dangerous in your home? Clinical toxicity symptoms can vary, as some of the aforementioned instances show. However, they could also involve excessive slobbering, nausea, diarrhea, weakness, drowsiness, seizures, liver failure, or even passing away.

How to react if your pet consumes a poisonous plant?

Even if your pet isn’t yet displaying any symptoms of disease, Haney advises calling a veterinarian immediately away if it looks like your pet has gotten its paws on a houseplant.

“You must act quickly if you suspect that your pet consumed or even chewed on a toxic plant. Some toxins start to take effect within 20 minutes, while others can take a few hours,” the expert advises.

Call your regular vet, an urgent care facility, a telehealth company like FirstVet, or one of these hotlines with on-staff veterinary toxicologists.

Safer substitutes

Fortunately, there are other methods to incorporate natural elements into a home, even without using any of the plants mentioned above. You might avoid any worries about plant toxicity by sticking with synthetic or plastic flora, for instance. You might store plants out of the reach of pets or in areas of your house where your dog won’t go.

There are numerous non-toxic plant species that are completely safe for dogs. Examples are Boston Ferns (happy in chilly temps, high humidity, and indirect light), Prayer, Spider, Money (hard to destroy), or Cast-Iron plants (excellent for low light). You might also try pet-friendly African violets or orchids if you’d like a flowering variety.

Even though there are numerous plants that are toxic to dogs and may result in severe symptoms, there are still methods to add some greenery to your home. Use fake foliage, keep plants away from your animal pals, or limit your plant selection to harmless varieties. Utilize the tips above to keep your dogs secure and your house well-kept.

Conclusion

If you suspect your pet has chewed or consumed any indoor plants, you should contact a veterinarian right away. Some indoor plants can be extremely hazardous to animals. Owners of dogs should think about replacing these dangerous plants with ones that have been approved as safe by the ASPCA so that their animals and plants can coexist.

For protection against future costs, purchase pet insurance.