Chris Buckland
House plants are an excellent addition to any home. They can help purify the air and add a bit of nature to your space. They’re also good conversation pieces, especially when guests come over.
But not all house plants are safe for dogs. Some plants contain toxic substances that can be harmful or even fatal if ingested. To prevent any dog accidents from occurring, it’s important to know which house plants are unsafe for canines so you can keep them out of doggy reach.
Aside from the risk of ingesting plant toxins, some house plants also pose a risk of physical harm, such as burning or choking. Be sure to keep the following 8 plants out of your dog’s reach so you can prevent any mishaps.
Ageratum
Ageratum is a flowering plant commonly grown as a houseplant. It’s native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, but is also grown commercially in other areas.
While the plant itself is not toxic to dogs, they may be attracted to the nectar. If they ingest large amounts of the nectar, they may have gastrointestinal upset. Ageratum is also very attractive to bees, so if you have dogs that like to be in the yard, it’s best to keep this plant away.
Anthurium
The Anthurium is a tropical plant with big, colorful flowers and thick, glossy leaves. It’s commonly found for sale in the springtime, particularly around Mother’s Day. While the plant itself is not toxic, the leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to dogs.
If ingested, the crystals can cause irritation of the mouth and intestines, as well as kidney failure in extreme cases. Anthuriums are also attractive to bees, so if you have dogs that like to be in the yard, it’s best to keep this plant away.
Calathea
Calathea is a tropical plant with thick, fleshy leaves. It’s commonly sold as a houseplant and is often used as an accent plant, such as in a terrarium or a fish tank. Although it’s not toxic to dogs, it can cause irritation in the mouth and stomach if ingested, so it’s best to keep it out of reach.
Calathea is also very attractive to bees, so if you have dogs that like to be in the yard, it’s best to keep this plant away.
Chrysanthemum (Chrysantheum)
The Chrysanthemum is one of the most popular plants for indoor gardening. There are hundreds of different varieties available, including the traditional yellow, red, and pink flowers.
While the plant itself is not toxic, the flowers are known to cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. Chrysanthemums are also very attractive to bees, so if you have dogs that like to be in the yard, it’s best to keep this plant away.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia is an indoor plant that is commonly used in office settings. It has large, smooth leaves with bold green veins that can add a tropical feel to any room.
Although the plant itself is not toxic to dogs, chewing on the leaves can cause irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal upset. If ingested, the leaves may also cause difficulty swallowing. Dieffenbachia is also very attractive to bees, so if you have dogs that like to be in the yard, it’s best to keep this plant away.
Easter cactus
Easter cactus is a flowering cactus that is commonly grown as a houseplant. It’s often sold in the springtime, so it is sometimes referred to as a “spring cactus.” Although the plant itself is not toxic to dogs, it does produce a high level of oxalic acid, meaning if ingested, it can cause gastrointestinal upset. Easter cactus is also very attractive to bees, so if you have dogs that like to be in the yard, it’s best to keep this plant away.
English ivy
English ivy is a climbing vine that is commonly used as a houseplant. It’s also widely used as a ground cover in gardens and is often used to cover walls or fences.
Although the plant itself is not toxic to dogs, chewing on the leaves can cause gastrointestinal upset. Ingestion can also cause difficulty breathing and heart irregularities in extreme cases. English ivy is also very attractive to bees, so if you have dogs that like to be in the yard, it’s best to keep this plant away.
Schefflera (also known as umbrella plant)
Schefflera is a tropical plant that is commonly grown as a houseplant. It’s often referred to as an umbrella plant because of its large leaves that grow in a rosette shape.
Although the plant itself is not toxic, chewing on the leaves can cause irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal upset. If ingested, the leaves may also cause difficulty swallowing. Schefflera is also very attractive to bees, so if you have dogs that like to be in the yard, it’s best to keep this plant away.
Conclusion
House plants are a great addition to any home, especially if you don’t get a lot of natural light. They can help purify the air and add a bit of nature to your space. They’re also good conversation pieces, especially when guests come over. But not all house plants are safe for dogs.
Some plants contain toxic substances that can be harmful or even fatal if ingested. To prevent any dog accidents from occurring, it’s important to know which house plants are unsafe for canines so you can keep them out of doggy reach.
