Good day, my two-legged friends and their four-legged companions!
If you have a green-thumb, or even just hope you do, you probably have potted plants somewhere in your home. And if your furry friend is at all curious, like me, they’ve been caught nibbling your houseplants more than once! It can be a nuisance when your beautiful begonias always have that recently-chewed look, but it can also be very dangerous to your pet.
While there are ways to discourage your housemates from eating the foliage, no behavioral method is a guarantee that it won’t still happen, so I’ve put together a list of common household plants that can pose a danger to your pet, as well as some tips and tricks for discouraging wayward munching.
Common Plants that can be Toxic to Animals
There are hundreds – if not thousands – of plants that can be toxic to dogs and cats. Below are just some of the most common, but the ASPCA has a complete, searchable list that you can use to make sure your animal friends are safe.
- Philodendron – a very common houseplant, it is toxic to both dogs and cats, and also to babies and children!
- Pothos – many humans love this vine because it’s so easy to grow, but it can be very harmful if your pet ingests it.
- Lily – Most lilies are only mildly harmful to humans and dogs, with the exception of the Peace Lily, which is toxic to everyone. Cats, however, find all lilies very toxic, and should be kept away!
- Oleander – It’s commonly known that oleander is poisonous. While not all plants that are toxic to us are harmful to animals, it’s always better to err on the side of caution, and oleander is extremely toxic for all pets and their humans.
A good rule of thumb is, if a plant could poison you, your pet will show the effects much sooner, at a much smaller dose. Cats, as a rule, are much more sensitive to toxins than dogs or humans, so be especially careful with which plants you have around your kitty.
Keeping Your Pet Away from the Greenery
If your fur baby just can’t get enough of your garden, but you can’t bear to part with your plants, these tactics might help.
- Use a deterrent that makes the plant smell bad! Spraying a plant with lemon juice or sprinkling it with pepper will make it much less attractive to your kitten, without harming them or the plant.
- Place plants on floating shelves or other places where even a cat can’t go. If you have dogs, a shelf that sits higher than your dog can reach is a simple solution, but keep an eye out for fallen leaves!
- Plant species that cats don’t like! Rosemary and an aptly-named plant called Scaredy Cat Plant are two that cats just can’t stand since their aroma is so strong.
- Provide plants that your friend loves to distract them from the ones they shouldn’t eat. Lemon balm, catnip, or cat grass are all plants that cats love, and keeping them in fresh supply might take the focus off of your other plants!
It’s always better to simply not keep toxic plants in your home if you have human or animal babies, but even if the plant isn’t dangerous, you may not want them to look bedraggled from constant gnawing! I hope these tips help you and your pet to peacefully coexist along with your greenery.
If you have any questions about this or other topics or have an idea for a future blog post, please feel free to contact us! Happy gardening!
Yours in writing,
– Arby
