How many of you are guilty of hoarding house plants during the weird year that 2020 was?
*slowly raises my hand* That would be me.
I’ve always had a thing for plants, but my collection exploded during the year. I’ve collected cuttings from friends, a variety of succulents, some trees, and tropical seeds. I am so looking forward to my banana and dragon fruit sprouting.
Common Plants Toxic to Dogs
1. Ivy
I love English Ivy and how it tumbles out of the pots and planters. I can’t get enough of it! It’s just so pretty when well cared for. Unfortunately, ivy contains several toxins harmful for your dog. Not not just English Ivy. Several varieties of ivy contain toxins, including triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds. These cause excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain Best to keep Fluffy away from this plant.
2. Aloe Vera
Not all of the aloe vera is harmful for your dog. The inside pulp and gel can actually be very beneficial for cuts and abrasions on the skin. Dogs can also safely drink Aloe juice. It’s when they chew on the leaves that your pet is in danger. A toxin called anthraquinone glycosides is released and can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
3. Tomato Plants
Maybe I’m just weird, but I absolutely do have a tomato plant growing in the house. I also want to grow a pepper plant, dragon fruit, and some bananas in the house too.
Tomatoes are in the nightshade family of vegetables, which means the plants contain a few components that are harmful to certain animals, including solanine. Solanine, a substance found in the stem and leaves of the tomato and related plants, is harmful to dogs in large quantities. You can feed your dog an occasional ripe tomato and they will be just fine, but better to be safe than sorry and just not feed them tomatoes all together. And maybe keep your dog out of the garden too!
4. Peace Lilly
The Peace lily is another super popular choice house plant for anyone who wants to create an elegant, minimalist look. But if your dog eats it, it’s not worth it. The Peace lily is another plant that contains calcium oxalate crystals, which cause intense oral irritation, excessive drooling, and difficulty swallowing.
5. Philodendron
Philodendron is a popular pick for its low maintenance needs. Meaning if you have a black thumb and kill all plants, this is the one for you! But if you dog ingests any of this plant, sharp calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves can irritate a dog’s mouth and cause severe swelling and burning of the mouth and tongue. Rarely, this irritation can lead to difficulty breathing and in severe cases, death.
6. Pothos
The pothos plant is popular for it’s lack of needs and ability to be grown by someone with the blackest of thumbs. However it’s not very good to keep around if you have dogs that like to chew on things. Tiny, sharp calcium oxalate crystals contained in the leaves can irritate a dog’s mouth and cause severe swelling and burning of the mouth and tongue. Rarely, this irritation can lead to difficulty breathing and in severe cases, death.
7. Jade
Jade plants are a member of the same family of the rubber tree and are well known for their properties that make them hard to kill for those with black thumbs. They can also live for up to 100 years, meaning the plant will outlive both you and your pet. The most important thing to know about Jade plants with pets, is they are toxic! I know, this far into the article, it’s shocking to read that a plant is toxic to pets.
The compounds that make the plant toxic aren’t well know, but the can cause severe vomiting and a slowed heart rate. Keep this one away from pets at all costs.
8. ZZ Plant
ZZ Plants thrive in low light conditions which makes them incredibly popular. The zz plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation and swelling in the mouth and respiratory issues. It can also cause other adverse reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Alternatives to Common Plants Toxic to Dogs
1. Spider Plant
Spider plants are so easy to care for and are pet safe. You can also repot the babies that grow at the ends for an endless supply of pet safe in home greenery.
2. Orchid
Orchids are beautiful. And can be a bear to take care of. You can’t overwater them, or the roots rot. But if you under water them, they die. Definitely not for the beginning plant parent, but they make a safe, pet friendly addition to plants in your home.
3. Parlor Palm
Parlor palms are dog safe. They grow upright in a bush like shape. They’re size and predictability make them the perfect addition to the home a dog parent.
4. Boston Fern
Boston ferns are an excellent addition to any home. They are incredibly easy to care for if you know what they like… cool temperatures, high humidity, and indirect light. They’re also dog safe!
5. Money Tree
Last I checked, money still doesn’t grow on trees. Or does it? The money tree is a pet safe alternative to other small houseplant style trees. Since it is pet safe, it very well could save you some money. So I guess money might grow on this tree after all.
Do you know of any other dog safe plants for the home?
Share them in the comments section below!
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