Houseplants can really up your home decor game, but at what cost? The truth is, while they are beautiful, houseplants can pose a real danger to your dogs. Some species of plants are poisonous to dogs and can cause illness, or even death.
As a pet owner, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these common plants that could be poisonous to your dogs so that you don’t make the mistake of using them in your home. This list below will show you 11 common plants to avoid keeping in your home to keep your canine family members healthy!
Protect your dog: 11 common plants poisonous to dogs
Ivy
Ivy is a popular houseplant to have, especially for those who love hanging plants in their home. The problem is that Ivy is extremely harmful to dogs. And it can cause issues ranging from a minor rash, to breathing problems. Or, in extreme cases, coma or even paralysis can happen when the plant is ingested.
Additionally, because these are often hanging plants, they are more of a temptation for dogs to play with. This one is best to keep out of the house completely.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a very popular household plant and is known for its medicinal uses for humans, but Aloe Vera can harm a dog’s digestive system if ingested. If you decide to keep an Aloe Vera plant in your home, keep it far out of reach of your dog so as to not run into any issues with your pet becoming ill.
Lily
Lily plants are extremely toxic to pets and are better kept out of your home. You may be asking which Lily plant I am talking about (the Lily plant family is extensive), but there are quite a few of them that are toxic, so it’s best to avoid all Lily plants in your home.
Jade
You may recognize the Jade plant by one of its many nicknames such as the Japanese Rubber Plant, or the Jade Tree, but this one is very, very toxic to canines. While it has been studied many times, no one seems to know what toxin is actually present in this plant. It doesn’t matter though, dogs who have ingested a Jade plant have exhibited symptoms such as a slow heart rate, depression, vomiting, and decreased coordination.
Dumb Cane
Dumb Cane is a very popular houseplant and has been for generations (I remember seeing it in my grandmother’s home, and my aunts’ homes growing up). You might be surprised to learn that it is actually quite toxic to dogs. If your dog ingests Dumb Cane, you can expect your pup to develop symptoms such as vomiting, increased drooling, difficulty swallowing, or burning/swelling of the mouth. This plant has even been known to cause breathing problems and, in some cases, death.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant (or Zanzibar Gem) has become wildly popular as a houseplant in recent years, but this plant is actually quite toxic to pets and humans. It’s so toxic in fact, that an urban legend began circulating that the plant was actually cancer causing. The cancer-causing rumor was debunked, but this plant can cause diarrhea and vomiting for pets that ingest it, and humans should actually wash their hands after every interaction to avoid skin irritation. I say let’s just avoid keeping this one in the house!
Devil’s Ivy
If you have ever had a Devil’s Ivy plant in your home, you know how quickly it can grow and how easy it would be for your pet to get into (hanging leaves, etc). Devil’s Ivy though, is known to cause irritation in the mouth of dogs, as well as breathing and swallowing difficulties.
Elephant Ear
If you like large houseplants in your home, you may be tempted to have the Elephant Ear plant as part of your decor. This plant though, is very similar in toxicity to the Dumb Cane plant that we discussed earlier so this is a great one to avoid having in your home. The fact that these plants are so large and so easy for pets to get into makes it even more important that you keep it out of your home.
Sowbread
If you are into flowering plants, you may be tempted to decorate your space with Sowbread (or Persian Violet) but this one is also quite toxic to your pets! When ingested, it can increase drooling and cause vomiting or diarrhea. It can also lead to seizures and abnormal heart rate, which can both be fatal.
Asparagus Fern
If your dog ingests the berries on an Asparagus Fern, it can lead to extreme intestinal distress. As well as symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain as well as skin irritation and inflammation.
Sago Palm
We all know those people who love to have exotic, tropical-looking plants in their homes. The Sago Palm is one of those plants. But the problem is that every part of this plant is toxic to dogs. The roots, seeds, leaves, and even the soil from this plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and potentially liver failure. It’s best to avoid having this plant in your home.
If you still want to have houseplants in your home, but you don’t want to risk your dog’s health to do so, here are a couple of great options for you. These plants are not poisonous to dogs:
- Bamboo
- Burro’s Tail
- Ponytail Palm
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