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Pet Friendly Plants Buying Guide
If you share your home with pets, it’s essential to consider their safety when buying indoor plants. Many houseplants, such as the Peace Lily, Calla Lily, or the Sago Palm, contain toxins that can harm cats and dogs. By choosing non-toxic, pet-safe plants, you can enjoy the lushness of your indoor garden without worrying about your cat’s or dog’s well-being.
Lively Root’s selection of pet-friendly plants includes spectacular bloomers, like the Christmas cactus, and stylish air purifiers like the Money Tree. From pet-safe succulents to a range of non-toxic, easy-care plants, we’ve got you covered!
Choosing the Right Plants for a Pet-Friendly Home
Knowing which plants are safe for your furry friends is essential to keep them healthy and happy. Check whether the plant you intend to buy is on the ASPCA list of toxic plants to avoid bringing plants you’re unsure about into your home.
Many plants are safe for both cats and dogs. From the Maidenhair Fern to the striking Peacock Plant, you can make your indoor garden pet-friendly with the right variety. Certain plants, however, might be non-toxic to dogs but can cause digestive issues in cats and vice versa. So, it’s important to double-check if your green companion is completely safe for your pet, especially if you have a dog and a cat at home.
Plants Safe for Dogs
Some plants are proven non-poisonous to dogs but are highly toxic to cats. For instance, your puppy will be fine around a beautiful Lily, which can harm your feline friend. Other plants might be classed as non-toxic to both types of pets but can still cause issues in one or the other.
So, here’s a list of particularly dog-friendly plants that may cause some discomfort in cats:
- African Violet - Safe for dogs, the African Violet can potentially cause vomiting in sensitive cats.
- Boston Fern - If ingested by cats, Boston Fern can irritate their stomach, while the plant is totally safe for dogs.
- Orchids - Orchids are non-toxic to pets, but some varieties can cause mild symptoms, like upset stomach, in cats.
- Haworthia - Haworthia is a stunning succulent that can cause mild digestive issues in cats, while it’s considered generally safe for dogs.
Cat Safe Plants
Cats are intuitively wary of eating something strange-tasting. So, if a cat feels sick, it’s usually because it has brushed against a toxic plant to touch and then licked the poisonous substance during grooming sessions. Research shows that dogs are more likely to get poisoned by plants, whereas only 26% of cases are related to cats.
So, let’s see which plants are particularly safe for cats but can cause issues in dogs:
- American Rubber Plant - Peperomia obtusifolia can be mildly toxic to dogs, causing digestive issues, while it’s considered totally safe for cats.
- Spider Plant - Spider plants can’t harm your feline pet, but they can upset your dog’s stomach if ingested.
- Bamboo Palm - Dogs can suffer from mild digestive issues if they ingest this plant, which is considered cat-friendly
- Ponytail Palm - This beauty is a cat friendly plant, but if ingested in large quantities, Ponytail Palm can cause vomiting in dogs.
Plant Care and Pet Safety
Houseplants and pets can coexist and thrive under the same roof if you take care to keep them safe from each other.
Pet-Safety Tips
Place your plants on high shelves or in hanging pots to prevent your pet from nibbling on your greenery. Some pets like to explore unfamiliar objects. So, try to keep plants that are mildly toxic to cats and dogs, like the ZZ plant, out of their reach, behind other plants, or in a room your pets have no access to. If you suspect plant poisoning symptoms in your beloved pet, consult with a veterinarian or a pet poison control center straight away!
Plant Care the Pet-Friendly Way
Pet specialists agree that plants provide additional stimulation for your pets. Your cat or dog can leave your plant looking worse for wear. As mentioned, the best way to stop your pets from destroying your plants is to place them out of reach. Dogs, for instance, will find it hard to nibble on hanging plants. Or keep your cat less interested in your houseplants by getting some cat grass!
Provide your pet-friendly plants with regular attention and care by meeting their specific light requirements and watering and humidity needs. Prune spent leaves and flowers and dusted their foliage to keep leaves shiny and clean.
Repot your green companions every couple of years or if you notice any issues, like drooping leaves or signs of root rot. Ensure your plants have all the nutrients they need by feeding them in the growing season.
Create a Safe Green Space Indoors With Pet-Friendly Plants
Attractive pet-friendly houseplants will help you make your home welcoming and cozy for you and your pets. Create an intriguing arrangement of dog-safe plants using stable, heavy planters that your dog won’t overturn easily. Putting pebbles on top of the soil can help discourage digging.
To help you choose the right dog- or cat-safe plants for your home, use Lively Root’s Plant Quiz anytime! You can also opt for our quarterly pet-friendly subscription and get a selection of surprise plants every 3 months. With a bit of planning, you’ll create a space where your pets and plants can coexist and benefit from each other’s company.