It’s a beautiful summer day, you’ve just spent what feels like your entire life finding your purrrfect forever buddy, and then it hits you – you live in a jungle and you don’t know what’s safe for your new buddy!
As someone who has 5 cats and a dog, and Bec who has 3 doggos herself, it is important to know which plants you may need to keep away from your furry mates if they are quite the explorers. Mine are over that phase in their lives and not keen at all, but some never pass it, and that can be an expensive vet bill as well as devastating for you as a pet owner.
Today I am going to list the safest and the most toxic common household plants, so you get an idea of what to keep in a place your buddy doesn’t frequent. Again, some pets aren’t curious, but it’s always best exercise caution. All of the plants listed on our website also specify their toxicity, to make things much easier for our customers.
(Please be aware that plants listed as non-toxic to pets can still result in an upset tummy and vomiting, but cause no long term or toxic harm.)
NON-TOXIC PLANTS:
1. Ferns. *Most* ferns are non-toxic if ingested. These types of ferns include the Boston Fern, the Staghorn, the Birds Nest Fern, and the Maiden Hair Fern.
2. Cacti + Succulents. This is a prickly one *hehe pun intended* because while they’re safe if ingested, your pet has to nibble them first, and well, you’ve seen the videos of dogs that eat cacti! It is better to keep these away from your pets, in case you find yourself removing the barbs with your brow tweezers!
3. Calathea. These are pet safe, but they’re also jerks. So, I don’t know, let’s pretend they’re not safe and spare you the heartache. Kidding, but they are a gorgeous plant and they pose no real harm, except how sad you’ll be if those perfect leave have bite marks on them!
4. Spider Plants. These happy-go-lucky plants are fast growing, easy to propagate, and fun to own. The added bonus is, they’re pet safe!
5. Peperomia. Yes, everyone’s favourite plant that they can’t get right is safe for pets! When you think of the varieties that you can get, this opens up so many windows. String of Turtles are one of them. Did you know that?!
TOXIC PLANTS:
1. Monstera. Yes, it’s sad we are starting so strong here. But the sap of the Monster is quite toxic. On the upside, they’re a large plant so 9/10 times your cats may not even be keen… dogs on the other hand!
2. Pothos. Yep, all varieties. From your Manjula, to your Jade, Epipremnum Aureum/Pinnatum are off limits. Mine are all up high on a shelf, but the dangly vines can be oh so tempting.
3. Philodendrons. I know, by now you’re probably thinking “these are all the best plants!” and you’d be right, they are, sorry. But again, them being toxic doesn’t mean you can’t own them. You just need to know where to put them. On the plus side, these are only mild to moderate, as apposed to all the others which are high level. Do with that information what you will…
4. Aloe Vera. I know, I know. I said succulents are okay, but this one is an exception. It’s best to keep outside anyway, so chances are it won’t be an issue.
5. Hedera (Helix) Ivy. These lovely trailing plants can be kept indoors, but are notorious wall creepers. These are quite toxic, so don’t let your pets eat it. It can also have an adverse reaction if they roll in it, such as skin and eye irritation. This one is a real doozy – possibly leading to paralysis or a coma.
There you have it – the top 5 for both! There are many more for each category but I have tried to keep it indoors, and the most popular types.
Thanks for reading! Email us at hello@talkdirt2me.com.au or through the website if you have any questions or would like to chat.
K