Plant Guide for Pet Owners

What Pet Owners Should Know About Poisonous Houseplants

If you are a pet owner with a home full of houseplants you may have more to worry about than you think. We are often concerned with whether our plants are getting watered correctly or if they are getting an adequate amount of sunlight. If you have pets in your home you have more important things to consider: the health of your pet.

Many cats and dogs will chew on greenery. Though it seems no one quite knows why this happens, in my personal experience it seems to help a pet with an upset stomach to throw up. If your pet is chewing on the wrong kind of plant the vomiting may be more than an upset stomach, it may indicate poisoning.

Cats are especially notorious for chewing up houseplants. This may explain why I only have one plant in my home. My friends may argue that my plants all die because I can't remember to water them but I prefer to blame it on my cats. Dogs can also be culprits when houseplants are found chewed and tattered. If you have a dog that goes outdoors on a regular basis, you may also find damage to your shrubs and garden plants as well.

The list of plants that can cause death or illness to dogs and cats is surprisingly long. If you have any of these plants in your home you may want to consider getting them out of your house. This article contains only some of the most common plants. Please see the Internet addresses provided for more detailed lists of safe and unsafe plants.

Common Troublemakers for Cats

Amaryllis (bulbs), Aloe Vera, Apple (seeds), Asparagus Fern, Baby's Breath, Belladonna, Black-eyed Susan, Chrysanthemum, Daffodil (both plant and bulb), Easter Lily, Eggplant, Eucalyptus, Evergreen, Holly, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Java Beans, Lily, Lily Spider, Lily of the Valley, Marigold, Mistletoe, Morning Glory, Mushrooms, Onion, Oriental Lily, Philodendron, Poinsettia (this one is not quite as poisonous as once thought), Poppy, Potato, Rhododendron, Rhubarb, Rubber Plant, Sweet pea, Tiger Lily, Tobacco, Tulip (plants and bulb), Umbrella Plants and Yews (all types).

Safe Plants for Cats