Bringing greenery into your home is always a great idea, but if you’re a dog, you need to be cautious about the plants you choose. Some beautiful & popular houseplants can be harmful or even toxic to your furry friend.
Let’s dive into 8 common houseplants that are surprisingly dangerous for dogs, and what you need to know to keep your pets safe and your home beautiful.
1. The Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Credit: Cara Cormack
Peace lilies are popular for their stunning white flowers and air-purifying abilities, making them a common choice for many homes. However, these plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause severe irritation in your dog’s mouth and digestive tract if ingested.
Symptoms include drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. So, while they add a touch of elegance to your home, it’s best to keep them out of reach or opt for a pet-friendly alternative.
2. Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)
Credit: Corinne Bryson
The trendy fiddle leaf fig, with its large glossy leaves, is a favorite among interior designers. Yet this stylish plant is toxic to dogs. The sap contains ficin and ficusin, which can cause skin irritation, excessive drooling, and gastrointestinal issues if your dog chews on the leaves or stems.
If you love the look of this plant, consider placing it in an area your dog can’t access, like a high shelf or a room your pet doesn’t frequent.
3. Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Credit: Lorraine Morris / Getty Images
Birds of paradise are known for their striking exotic flowers that resemble a bird in flight. Despite their beauty, they are toxic to dogs. The plant contains toxic tannins and hydrocyanic acid, which can lead to mild to severe digestive issues if ingested.
While it’s hard to resist their tropical charm, it’s essential to be mindful of where you place these plants if you have a curious dog.
4. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia)
Credit: unsplash.com
The ZZ plant is celebrated for its ability to thrive in low light & with minimal care, perfect for busy households. However, all parts of this plant are toxic to dogs due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals.
Ingestion can result in vomiting, diarrhea & oral irritation. Given its resilience, find a safe spot for this plant where your dog can’t reach it.
5. Alocasia (Alocasia macrorrhizos)
Credit: unsplash.com
Alocasias are admired for their large striking leaves that add a tropical vibe to any space. Unfortunately, these plants are dangerous for dogs because they contain insoluble oxalate crystals.
If your dog nibbles on an alocasia, it can suffer from severe oral irritation—excessive drooling & difficulty swallowing. To keep both your home and pet safe consider pet-safe alternatives that offer similar aesthetic appeal.
6. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller)
Credit: Kamil Kalkan / unsplash.com
Aloe Vera is well-known for its soothing medicinal properties for humans but it’s different for dogs. The plant contains saponins & anthraquinones which can cause vomiting diarrhea and lethargy if ingested by your dog.
While it’s fantastic for treating minor burns and skin issues ensure it’s placed where your dog can’t get to it like on a high counter or in hanging planters.
7. Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)
Credit: rfisher27 / Getty Images
Philodendrons are classic houseplants favored for their easy care and lush green leaves. However they pose a risk to dogs due to the calcium oxalate crystals found in their leaves.
And stems Ingesting philodendron can lead to oral irritation excessive drooling & vomiting If you have a dog that likes to chew on plants it’s wise to either choose another plant or position your philodendron out of reach.
8. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Credit: belchonok / Getty Images
The sago palm adds a touch of the tropics with its feathery fronds. However it’s one of the most dangerous plants for dogs containing cycasin which causes severe liver damage even fatal.
If ingested Symptoms of sago palm poisoning include vomiting diarrhea seizures liver failure Given the high risk avoid this plant entirely if you have dogs at home.
Wrapping Up
Having a beautiful home filled with plants is possible even if you have dogs but it requires thoughtful choices Knowing which plants are toxic helps create a safe stylish environment go for pet-safe plants.
Always research new additions By doing so enjoy a lush green home without compromising your dog’s health!
Leave a Reply