If you’re a pet owner, (we’re talking more cats and dogs here), then I highly recommend that you read this article for the sake of your pet!
Most often we have plants in our homes, indoors and in our gardens, which we do not realize can be toxic or poisonous to our pets if ingested. Sometimes, our pet/s tend to nibble on the plant’s leaves, stem and flowers and ingests the plant. This can be bad for the pet in many ways and I will tell you how, below.
Thus, always make sure to keep pet-friendly plants in your home, to keep your pets safe at all times! Check out this article below for more information.
A list of toxic, non-toxic and poisonous plants
Pet-Friendly Non Toxic Plants
Pet-friendly plants are those which are non-toxic garden plants or houseplants that you can safely keep in your home even if you have pets like dogs, cats etc.
These kinds of plants are safe to the animals and will not harm them in any way, even if your pet happens to nibble on their leaves, flowers etc. These plants do not contain any harmful compounds in their leaves, stems or flowers, that can be toxic to the animals upon ingestion.
Thus, it is essential to be mindful of the plants you keep in your house (indoors) or in your garden, when you’re a pet owner. Having pet-friendly plants will help you create a safe environment for your pets.
Here is a list of both flowering and non-flowering pet-friendly non-toxic plants:
Flowering Plants –
- Alyssum
- Blue Daisy
- Gerber Daisy
- Rose
- Gloxinia
- Snap Dragons
- Bottlebrush Tree
- Impatiens
- Camelia
- Canna
- Marigold
- Star Jasmine
- Nasturtium
- Sunflower
- Celosia Plumosa
- Pampa Grass
- Christmas Cactus
- Persia Violets
- Viola
- Coreopsis
- Petunias
- Zinnia
Non-Flowering Plants
- Echeveria Succulents
- Polkadot
- Boston Fern
- Spider Plant
- Sword Fern
Toxic Plants Which Aren’t Safe For Pets
There are some plants that aren’t safe for pets and pet owners should be very mindful of such plants.
Such plants (refer to the list below) can contain toxic substances that can be harmful to the animal if ingested. The harmful substance could affect the body of the pet in various ways, depending on the type of plant toxin consumed.
Certain plant toxins can affect the animal’s kidneys, some plant toxins could affect the heart of the pet and some other toxins could cause a stomach upset, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea to the pet.
There are even some toxic plant compounds that can cause muscle tremors in the pet’s body. Some other side effects of toxic-plant ingestions in pets can be burning sensations or irritation in the mouth and throat of the pet, abnormal heart rhythms, kidney and liver failure, sedation, seizures, muscle tremors and in some cases, death.
This kind of toxic ingestion occurs when the pet happens to nibble on the leaves, flowers or stems of the toxic plant, resulting in the pet falling sick.
It is essential to note that cats are more susceptible to toxic ingestions as compared to dogs. But nevertheless, pet owners have to be careful of all types of toxic plants irrespective of the type of pet.
Here is a list of toxic plants that aren’t safe for pets:
- Aloe
- Cosmos
- Iris
- Primrose
- Hydrangea
- Coleus
- Begonia
- Dumb Cane
- Mother-in-law’s Tongue
- Chrysanthemum
- Hibiscus
- Poinsettia
- Bird of Paradise
- Elephant Ear
- Pansy
- Carnation
- Geranium
- Plumbago
- Peace Lily
- Fleabane
- Bougainvillea
- Pink Dianthus
- Gardenia
- Calla Lilly
Poisonous Plants
You may be wondering why there is a separate section regarding poisonous plants to pets, while there was already a section on toxic plants to pets.
Well, it is essential to remember that all “poisonous” plants are toxic, but not all plants that are “toxic” are poisonous to pets.
A plant that is toxic can cause minor to severe reactions and affects to a pet, while a poisonous plant can be dangerous to the extent of death of the pet if ingested.
Here is a list of poisonous plants to pets:
- Azalea
- Castor Bean
- Cyclamen
- Daffodil
- Easter Lily
- Star Gazer Lily
- Sago Palm
- Tiger Lily