Are you a pet owner looking to spruce up your home with some houseplants? Well, it’s important to choose carefully. While some plants can be lovely additions to any home, there are plenty that can pose risks to your furry friends. Here are the top 10 most harmful houseplants for cats and dogs.
- Lilies – Consuming even small amounts of lily pollen or the leaves of a lily plant can be fatal to cats. All types of lilies, including Easter, Tiger, Rubrum, Japanese Show, Stargazer and Day Lilies, should be avoided if you have cats in the house.
- Sago Palms – These ornamental plants are extremely toxic for both cats and dogs if ingested and can cause liver failure in both species.
- Tulips/Narcissus – These springtime favorites contain a potentially dangerous toxin called tuliposide A that can lead to gastrointestinal distress and even death if consumed by pets.
- Azaleas/Rhododendrons – All parts of these plants are highly toxic for both cats and dogs if ingested due to their cyanogenic glycosides content which can cause serious side effects like vomiting, coma and even death in extreme cases.
- Oleander – This plant is highly poisonous for both cats and dogs due to its glycosides content which can cause vomiting, diarrhea as well as heart arrhythmias if ingested by your pet companion.
- Elephant Ears – The leaves of this beautiful tropical-looking plant contain oxalates which can cause oral irritation or swelling when chewed on by pets or humans alike. It’s best to keep these away from your pets!
- Amaryllis – All parts of this popular flower contain toxins that may lead to nausea, vomiting or diarrhea in both cats and dogs if they ingest any part of it—so make sure it’s kept out of reach!
- Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) – This common houseplant contains calcium oxalate crystals that may cause an intense burning sensation in the mouth if ingested by either cats or dogs—and in extreme cases may even lead to difficulty breathing or swallowing! 9 Ivy– Many varieties of ivy contain toxins that may lead to skin irritation or gastrointestinal distress when eaten by our furry friends—so avoid placing them near areas where your pet might find them tempting! 10 Mistletoe– All parts of this festive plant contain toxins that may cause vomiting, diarrhea or even seizures when consumed by our beloved animals so make sure they never get their paws on it!
When choosing new plants for your home, always consider how they might affect your furry friends before bringing them into the house! Being aware of which plants are toxic for cats and dogs is essential for keeping everyone safe—and happy—in our homes during the holidays and beyond!
