13 Indoor Plants That Are Dangerous for Your Pets

This post may contain affiliate links.

Indoor plants can help to turn your home into a lush green oasis. They make your space more beautiful, they improve the air quality, and help you feel a little more relaxed. However, if you have pets in your home, some of these leafy beauties might be more trouble than they’re worth. A nibble here or there might not seem like it should cause your furry friend any harm, but some plants can be decidedly toxic to them and result in anything from a little discomfort to serious health problems.

If your dog is a serial plant snacker or your cat can’t resist anything green, it’s important to know what plants to avoid. A few plants have more umph than you’d think, and keeping them within paw’s reach is asking for trouble. Now, let’s take a look at some of the popular indoor plants which may seem harmless, but can actually be harmful for your pets.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera
Photo Credit: Carrotmadman6/Wikimedia Commons

While aloe vera is a wonder plant for human skin, it’s a no go for pets. Inside the leaves is packed with gel, saponins and anthraquinones which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested. If you have a pet, you’ll want to keep this plant out of reach or else pick a pet safe alternative.

Peace Lily

Lucky Plants to Fill Your Home with Positive Energy
Photo Credit: Fernando Losada Rodríguez/Wikimedia Commons

White blooms on peace lilies are stunning, but they don’t make for a peaceful pet. Calcium oxalates, which can irritate your pet’s mouth and throat are in them. Drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing are symptoms of ingestion. They’re best appreciated from a safe distance.

Philodendron

Lucky Plants to Fill Your Home with Positive Energy
Image Credit: Aureonatal/Wikimedia Commons

Low maintenance is the word for philodendrons, but they can be irritating to your pet’s mouth and digestive tract. Swelling is severe in some cases and may also cause excessive drooling and pawing at the mouth. This plant might do better in homes where curious critters will not get at her.

Snake Plant

15 Must-Have Houseplants That Practically Take Care of Themselves
Image Credit: Mokkie/Wikimedia Commons

While snake plants are known for their air purifying qualities, they’re also a sneaky danger for pets. If chewed, they contain saponins, which can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Although your cat or dog might not like the taste, it’s still something to consider.

Monstera

Image credit: Kaboompics.com/Pexels

The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera, is a favorite for its unusual leaf design. It does contain insoluble calcium oxalates which can result in oral irritation, drooling and swelling. If a pet chomps on a monstera leaf, it may get more than just a bad taste.

Dieffenbachia

Photo Credit: KELENY/Shutterstock

A striking plant with bold leaves, dieffenbachia, or dumb cane, is a bad plant to have if you have pets. It’s sap can be a skin irritant and toxicity can occur from swallowing its sap, leading to drooling and difficulty breathing. It gets its name because it can make you temporarily speechless — but that’s no joke for pets.

Pothos

15 Must-Have Houseplants That Practically Take Care of Themselves
Photo Credit: Joydeep/Wikimedia Commons

Pothos is the easy care plant MVP, but it’s poisonous to cats and dogs. It has insoluble calcium oxalates that can irritate your pet’s mouth and throat. Pothos poisoning symptoms include drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Make sure you keep it out of paw’s reach so there’s no drama.

Sago Palm

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Sago palm might be a tiny indoor tropical getaway, but it’s toxic to pets. It can cause liver failure and death if ingested, and its seeds contain cycasin. The ASPCA reports that ingestion of any part of this plant requires immediate veterinary attention.

Jade Plant

Lucky Plants to Fill Your Home with Positive Energy
Image by Arch. Attilio Mileto via Wikimedia Commons

Money plants, or jade plants, may not help you bring in the luck if your pet decides to take a bite. Pets can be affected by vomiting, lethargy and uncoordinated movements. They’re beautiful and hardy, but if you have a curious fur baby, it’s best avoided.

ZZ Plant

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The ZZ plant is popular for its glossy leaves and indestructible nature, but it’s another plant to avoid with pets. It has calcium oxalates which can irritate your pet’s mouth and digestive system. If your pet takes a nibble, the symptoms can include drooling, vomiting, and lack of appetite.

English Ivy

a close up of a plant
Photo Credit: Pexels

A classic for hanging baskets, English ivy is no friend to pets. Triterpenoid saponins contained in the plant may cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The plant’s sap can even cause irritation with skin contact. It’s a beauty that should stay out of reach.

Rubber Plant

Lucky Plants to Fill Your Home with Positive Energy
Photo Credit: Pant/Wikimedia Commons

While a rubber plant is a bold, dramatic addition to any room, it contains compounds that can irritate your pet’s skin and mouth. Drooling, vomiting and loss of appetite may result from ingestion. If you have pets running about the house, then this is another plant to admire from afar.

Caladium

Caladium
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Vibrant, heart shaped leaves make caladiums treasured for their blooms; however they are not safe for pets. Insoluble calcium oxalates, that can cause severe oral irritation, drooling and vomiting, are found in them. If you like how colorful they look, go for faux versions instead.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights

Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights

How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro

Image Credit: Shutterstock

How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro

15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make Your Home Look Bad

Bring Nature Indoors with These DIY Terrarium Ideas

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Bring Nature Indoors with These DIY Terrarium Ideas

Similar Posts