When you start to have pets, you will always want to give them the best and worry about their safety. But there is always one thing that is easy for owners to overlook, and that is the plants that can be found everywhere in the house or backyard. Many people like to have plants in their homes to add greenery, but some of these common plants can be toxic to cats and dogs. Some plants are also common in the wild or parks, and dogs can easily eat them on their walks, posing a danger. To be able to avoid this, we will provide a list of plants that are toxic and non-toxic to dogs and cats.
These plants are toxic to dogs and cats
Bellflower. The appearance of small bell-shaped flowers of different colors with a fragrant odor. But, the leaves or bulbs can cause heart problems in dogs.
Aloe vera. The sap in the leaves of aloe contains aloe glycosides and saponins. Misuse of aloe vera may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, changes in urine color, nephritis, etc.
Lilies. Lilies look great in bloom, but many lily species are harmful to pets, especially cats. Lilium Asiatica, Lilium longiflorum, and Hemerocallis spp are the most dangerous of all. All parts are toxic, and ingesting a small amount of pollen or drinking water from a vase can cause your pet to become ill. If ingested, pets can show signs of low blood pressure, tremors, and arrhythmias.
Rhododendron. The whole plant is toxic, and the flowers and leaves are more toxic. It causes hypotension and suppresses the respiratory and central nervous systems, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it causes shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure, and even coma.
Petunia. The consumption of petunia can cause hallucinations, damage the brain and sublingual nerves, and even cause disorientation in dogs and cats. In particular, the seeds of petunia may cause minor gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea. While serious neurological symptoms such as unstable gait, tremors, hallucinations, or liver necrosis and failure may result.
Also, Poinsettia, Mistletoe, Tulip, Iris, English Ivy, Christmas Rose, Tiger Orchid, and Vanda. Misuse will mainly cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Plants that are not harmful to dogs and cats
You don’t have to give up your gardening hobby either, the following plants are both non-toxic and aesthetically pleasing.
Cat grass. A generic term for a group of plants that are cultivated for cats to eat to help spit out hairballs. Cats like to cleanse themselves by licking and so have hairballs in their stomachs. These plants are non-toxic and non-harmful for cats and are rich in fiber. They stimulate the cat’s gastrointestinal motility and help the cat to vomit out the hairballs that are clumped in the stomach. This includes Cat Malt Grass, such as barley grass, wheat grass, and oats.
Lemongrass. Lemon grass is a dense, perennial, scented herb of the grass family. It has a cool and refreshing scent of lemon. This plant is fragrant and has antiseptic and antiviral properties.
Mint. Labiatae, like Rehmannia, mint, or any other species, is safe for cats and has many culinary uses. And your cat will enjoy smelling the refreshing scent of mint.
Bulbophyllum. It is good for anyone who is constantly exposed to paint and gasoline. It can purify some harmful gases and is non-toxic to dogs and cats.
Rosemary. This herbaceous plant can not only fragrance your dinner, but also get your cat’s love.
African Daisy. African Daisy is a perennial herb with terminal inflorescences and flowers in red, white, yellow, orange, and purple. It is very tolerant and does not need much care. The flowers flourish in late winter and spring.
Also, hanging orchids, basil, pocket coconuts, palm plants, and phalaenopsis orchids are all plants that are harmless to dogs and cats and purify indoor air.
If you have already planted the above-mentioned toxic plants at home, they don’t necessarily need to be discarded. Or you simply don’t want your pets to destroy the plants. You can try an small greenhouse with a vertical walk-in design where you can place plants on different shelves. There is also a curtain to keep pets out.
Final Tip
According to the statistics of the ASPCA, misuse of or contact with plants accounts for about 6% of all cases of animal poisoning. Although most of them come from accidental ingestion of drugs or pesticides, etc., plant poisoning should not be ignored.
If your pet accidentally eats a poisonous plant at home, it is not advisable to do any treatment yourself and you should seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid delaying treatment. If you cannot tell, remember to bring the plant to the hospital with you. Confirm the time of ingestion to help the veterinarian determine whether to induce vomiting and record clinical symptoms.
