11 pet-friendly house plants that are safe for cats and dogs!
17 Jun 2019
Plants are our friends, but animals are family. Thankfully, it’s possible to have both under one roof, but it’s important to select the right plants since most are toxic to pets (in varying degrees).
Toxicity is a defense mechanism developed over millions of years to deter herbivores from making plants into a meal. A pothos plant, for example, has crystal raphides that are slightly irritating but in no way fatal. Sago palms, on the other hand, are extremely dangerous to dogs. The primary toxic agent is cycasin, which results in acute gastrointestinal signs within 15 minutes of ingestion and can lead to central nervous system failure and severe liver failure. Scary? Yes.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) publishes the most comprehensive list of plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs. It reads like a textbook and is undoubtedly overwhelming. To make it easier, we put together this simple list of plants that are safe to bring home. It’s important to note that ingesting any plant material could still give your pet an upset stomach — even the plants on this list. If you have a curious companion who can’t get enough, keep your green friends out of reach in a macrame plant hanger suspended from the ceiling or at the top of a bookshelf.
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