{"id":16015,"date":"2022-08-24T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-24T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hartz-v2.local7\/keeping-pets-safe-around-houseplants\/"},"modified":"2024-10-03T17:39:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T17:39:57","slug":"keeping-pets-safe-around-houseplants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hartz.com\/en-ca\/keeping-pets-safe-around-houseplants\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Your Pets Safe Around Houseplants"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re here because your animal is exhibiting concerning symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately or visit the ASPCA\u2019s Animal Poison Control database<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

These days, it can seem like everyone is crazy about houseplants. Who can blame them? They\u2019re an easy way to beautify a room and bring a bit of the outside in. Plants and animals, however, don\u2019t always make the best roommates. Cats and dogs alike can be caught chomping on houseplants and, when those plants pose a danger to their health, this minor nuisance can become a major medical emergency.<\/p>\n

Keeping your pets safe around your houseplants means understanding your pet\u2019s habits and which plants to watch out for \u2013 and, sometimes, offering a well-needed distraction.<\/p>\n

(Don\u2019t) Eat Your Greens<\/h3>\n
\"Pet

Dogs are known to eat grass, but they may chow down on some leaves just because they feel like it.<\/p><\/div>\n

Animals will eat plants for a range of reasons or no reason at all. Dogs are known to eat grass to settle an upset stomach, but they may chow down on some leaves just because they feel like it. Cats, despite being carnivores, may turn their attention to plants out of boredom, or because they like the taste \u2013 or maybe because that palm tree looks a lot like a cat toy.<\/p>\n

The risk here is that many common houseplants are toxic to pets and plant-owners are often none the wiser. Let\u2019s run through five very common plants that you don\u2019t want your cat or dog meddling with:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Cutleaf Philodendron (AKA Ceriman)<\/strong> is a trendy plant right now thanks to its broad, instantly recognizable leaves and its relatively simple care routine. It\u2019s toxic to dogs and cats and, when consumed, causes swelling, difficulty swallowing and excessive drooling.<\/li>\n
  2. Pothos<\/strong> is another apartment-friendly plant that has crept its way into the interior design world, known for its bright, hanging vines \u2013 often long enough to touch the floor and thus in reach of pets. When consumed by cats or dogs, Pothos can cause vomiting and a severe burning sensation in the mouth.<\/li>\n
  3. Jade<\/strong> is among the most widely available succulents around, which means it\u2019s found in apartments and homes just about everywhere. When consumed, it can cause depression, vomiting and incoordination in both dogs and cats.<\/li>\n
  4. Lilies<\/strong> are popular both indoors and outdoors, as well as being a common bouquet enhancer. Though they are non-toxic to dogs, ingesting even small amounts of Lily petals can cause kidney failure in cats.<\/li>\n
  5. Oleander<\/strong> grows well in sunny indoor spaces, often earning a space at the center of a table thanks to its striking pink flowers. Despite its good looks, however, it is extremely toxic to dogs and cats and should be watched closely when around animals. Consuming oleander can result in drooling, diarrhea, and colic. In more severe cases, death can result from consumption.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Consumption of any of the plants listed above merits a trip to the vet.<\/p>\n

    Obviously, this is just a small selection of the many plants you can grow in your home. If you\u2019re thinking about getting some new plants and want to make sure they\u2019re safe for your pets, ask your store associate or visit the ASPCA\u2019s plant database<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Pet-Safe Houseplants - Paws off!<\/h3>\n
    \"Pet

    Animals will eat plants for a range of reasons, or for no reason at all.<\/p><\/div>\n

    If you have a house full of animals, you may choose to only buy animal-safe plants. However, your pets may still chew those up, and it\u2019s reasonable to not want your plants destroyed when you\u2019re not looking.<\/p>\n

    The first line of defense against plant-fixated pets is to keep plants out of reach, moving them to higher shelves and off the floor, when possible. Of course, some cats will just consider this a challenge, but it\u2019s worth a try.<\/p>\n

    Ultimately, there will be plants you simply can\u2019t get off the floor or can\u2019t keep out of reach of more explorative pets. In those cases, distraction is your friend. Boredom is a big reason why animals will direct their energy at plants. It\u2019s the same reason dogs dig holes in the yard and cats start mayhem when they\u2019re feeling cooped up. Keep them occupied with a cat toy<\/a> or dog toy<\/a> and they may leave your indoor garden alone.<\/p>\n

    You may also be able to train the habit out of your pet \u2013 just make sure to have some good treats on hand as a reward. For dogs, we recommend our Oinkies\u00ae Lasting Chew Bones<\/a>, which keep your dog occupied and taste great, too. Cats are always a bit choosier, but we recommend our Delectables\u2122 Lickable\u2122 treats<\/a> \u2013 we haven\u2019t found a cat that can resist them yet. It\u2019s possible for plants and pets to coexist safely and happily. Hartz is here to help make that happen.<\/p>\n