If you’ve been following along our blog, you may be convinced by now that house plants are right for your home. But for some of you, that is shared space with your pups. So, it’s our responsibility (because we care) to make you aware of some houseplants that are actually poisonous to our four-legged friends.
Dogs, like all animals, are naturally curious beings. And if your dog is like mine, they love to nibble on anything they can get their paws or teeth on. Here are some plants to steer clear of or to be extra cautious with when placing them in the home around your dogs.
Disclaimer: We are only naming a few common houseplants that have been deemed harmful to dogs. There are tons more plants that are potentially harmful, so we strongly recommend doing research on any plant you decide to bring into your home if you have a dog.
Aloe Vera
I don’t know about you, but growing up, my family swore by Aloe Vera. We use it for its skin smoothing remedies, as well as drinking it to help with any digestive disorders. Unfortunately, this isn’t the same for dogs. Because they don’t have the same metabolizing rate as we do, when they ingest the anthraquinone glycosides found in the Aloe Vera gel, they can experience vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and depression.
Toxicity level: mild to moderate
Branching Ivy:
Branching Ivy also known as English Ivy make for great low maintenance houseplants. Many people grow these ivies inside because of its air-purifying benefits. It’s been named one of the most effective plants in filtering out toxins in the home and creating oxygen. However, if you have a dog, or pets, a branching ivy should not be on your list of houseplants to grow indoors. It has been reported as being harmful to dogs and cats. If you decide to anyways, be sure it’s out of reach.
Toxicity level: mild to moderate
Lily
There are different types of lilies, as this plant family is quite large. The main lily to steer clear of if you have a dog is the Manoa Loa also known as the Peace Lily. If ingested by dogs, they could start vomiting and have a problem swallowing due to irritation of the lips and tongue. But not all lilies are toxic to dogs such as the Stargazer and the Easter Lily.
Toxicity level: mild to moderate
Cut-leaf Philodendron
A classic indoor plant, the philodendron, can be found at your local grocery store or easily grown in your home. It is known for its heart-shaped leaves and have a variety of plants that grow in different shapes, sizes and even colors. As lovely as this plant sounds, it is also harmful to dogs. We’re not saying don’t buy or grow this plant but be mindful and keep them out of reach from your dog. If ingested, dogs may experience oral irritation, excess drooling, vomiting, and even difficulty swallowing.
Toxicity level: mild to moderate
Sago Palms
This plant is a favorite for landscapers, but most dogs don’t find it attractive. If, however, your dog is the exception and likes to chew on just about anything, it’s important to be very cautious and mindful if you plan on bringing this plant into your home. The sago palm contains a toxin called cycasin which is known to cause liver damage in dogs.
Toxicity level: moderate to severe
Cactus:
Cacti are known for their love of sunlight, but many actually make for beautiful indoor plants. You can add one to your windowsill, or kitchen counter for unique home décor. Its prickly thorns, however, are very dangerous to our four-legged friends. If you do have pets in the home, but love cacti, it may be best to opt for the smaller cacti that fit in higher places like window sills and counter tops. The prickly thorns can cause injury to your dog-both on their skin and in their mouth if they even try to nibble.
Toxicity level: moderate to severe