As pet owners, you likely know that there are some plants that you should avoid having in your home. Due to their toxicity, plants can cause illness in pets, some of which can be lethal. This can be a scary thought, which may lead you to avoid having plants altogether. However, this doesn’t have to be your only solution to taking care of your beloved pets and ensuring their safety.
So, we’ve created a guide below about which plants you can and absolutely cannot keep in your home:
Plants that are safe for pets
Not all plants should cause fear for pet owners. There are countless safe plants that you can keep alongside your furry friend. These plants may come at a higher price tag, but alleviating the risk of them causing significant harm to your pet is worth the cost. Some of them include:
- Rattlesnake Plants
- Spider Plants
- Prayer Plant
- Friendship Plant
- Boston Fern
- Certain Succulents
- Venus Fly Trap
These plants typically are not considered attractive to pets, meaning you are less likely to find teeth marks or missing leaves. If, however, you have a pet that likes to chew, you can also place these plants out of their reach, such as on high shelves, to prevent damage.
Plants that are not safe for plants
There are A LOT of plants considered unsafe for pets, so it’s always best to be wary before you go plant shopping. If you already have plants and you want to purchase a pet, you should also take the time to determine if your current foliage will cause harm. If you have a toxic or potentially lethal plant in your collection, we recommend either selling it or placing it in a room that will not be accessed by your future pet.
We have devised a list of plants that you should avoid. It is important to remember that there are many other plants on this list that could be harmful to your pet. Doing your research before purchasing is always the best way to be certain.
Some plants to avoid include:
- Oregano
- Jade Plant
- Water Leaf
- Arrow-Head Vine
- Geranium Leaf
- Nightshade
As mentioned above, we always recommend doing your research to guarantee the plants you purchase will not cause harm. The RSPCA has some fantastic resources on toxic plants to avoid to ensure your pet is well looked after. Find out more here.
