Keeping houseplants is a hobby that is on the rise in recent years. The more time you spend at home, the more you want to fill your home with beautiful foliage that will grow with your home. In fact, plants have so many benefits. Namely, they are great at helping reduce the stress we experience on a daily basis. (1) This might be part of why it is such an addicting hobby.

This article from HerbSpeak features a list of several common plants safe for cats and dogs, as well as helpful information about what you should to in the event that your pet ingests a poisonous plant.

What Do You Do if Your Pet Has Eaten a Poisonous Plant?

If you suspect your pet has ingested something that could be toxic to them, take them to a veterinary clinic immediately. If your normal veterinary clinic is closed, go to an emergency vet.

While not all toxic plants are fatal, they can be if ingested over time, or your pet could be abnormally allergic. Cats and small dogs are especially prone to severe poisoning symptoms as their body mass is smaller, and the poison not only affects them stronger, but can also act faster.

Even if the symptoms are mild, they still put the pet in discomfort, so it is best to get it treated with veterinary care. The vet will often pump their stomach or provide them with activated charcoal to remove the toxins.

An important note – it is not recommended to induce vomiting unless directed by your vet, as this can worsen the problem.

While we are all concerned about our indoor pets eating the leaves or stems of poisonous plants, the same concern should be applied in outdoor gardening, especially if you allow your furry family  outside and use mulch or pesticides. (2)

Whether the plant is inside or out, you should make note of the plant that you suspect they ingested part of or bring that plant with you to the veterinary clinic. If you can’t get to a veterinary clinic, there are hotlines you can call that are the equivalent of poison control for your pet.

This list is not all inclusive, but if you see something that should be listed here or that needs modification, please leave a comment below!

United States: +1 (888) 426-4435 (fee unknown)

US & Canada: +1 800-213-6680 ($35 fee applies)

United Kingdom: +44 01202 50 90 00 (£30 fee applies)

Know the Symptoms

The symptoms of poisonous plant ingestion can range from mild to severe, and unfortunately our pets are not the best at telling us what’s wrong.

Often, they grow quiet and lethargic or stop some of their daily activities, which can be difficult to notice compared to them crying out for help.

Any part of a plant can be toxic from the pollen to the stems, leaves, and even sap. Plants of the Lily species, for example, are becoming much more well-known for causing deathly reactions in cats, even if they ingest moderate amounts of pollen, or even vase water.

Contact Symptoms:

• Skin Rash or Dermatitis
• Excessive Itching
• Blisters
• Swelling

Know Your 24/7 Emergency Vet’s Number and Address

Many areas of the world have fully operational veterinary clinics, but it is difficult to confine medical emergencies to the weekdays during business hours.

It often seems like emergencies only happen when your ordinary veterinary clinic is closed, which is why it’s important to plan ahead. The last thing you want to do is be stuck frantically looking for an open vet clinic when your pet needs immediate care.

Pause what you’re doing and take these steps:

1. Do a quick internet search and look for emergency vet clinics near you that are open seven days a week.
2. Write down their name and phone number
3. Place it somewhere where you will remember it, such as the refrigerator or near the front door.

Can’t get to a pen or piece of paper right now? Make a note on your computer or cell phone and make sure it sends you a reminder later, or send a text to a friend asking them to remind you to do this.

If there are none that are open 24/7, select a few that are open at different hours. Make a note of their hours alongside the contact information so you can call the right one in a pinch.

If you move somewhere new, this should be on the top of your priority list, right alongside changing the utilities into your name.

What to Do If Your Houseplant is Toxic

If you find out that your houseplant is toxic to your beloved pet, there are two main options that you could consider.

The first is gifting or selling the houseplant to someone else who does not have a pet. This is the most common method of removing the plant from the home without throwing it in the trash. Plus, if the plant was expensive – as many are – you can recoup some costs by selling it.

The second option is to place the plant in an enclosed terrarium or shelf with a glass door. This would still allow you to see and care for the plant in your home, but it removes the pet’s ability to access the plant.

For low-light tolerant plants, a high place, such as on top of a bookshelf or a fridge may be sufficient, but cats are known for their surprising agility and would have no trouble reaching these tall spaces if they had the inclination.

List of Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

The ASPCA maintains a list of plants by scientific names and common names that are poisonous for your cat or dog. (3) It is an easy way to look up and plant that you know the name of. Though it is not all-inclusive, it is an excellent start for many common plants.

In the section below, however, you will see the HerbSpeak compilation of 20 common houseplants safe for cats and dogs, including a link to where you can buy them online. These plants are further categorized by their care difficulty and sunlight requirements, and are all great ways to spruce up your home or garden no matter where they grow.

Indoor Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

Outdoor Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs

or get live plants from Nature Hills Nursery

When In Doubt…

If you are ever unsure of whether the houseplant you have is safe for your pet, keep it out of reach until you can consult a veterinary clinic.

By keeping it up and out of the way of your cat or dog, you can rest assured knowing that they won’t accidentally take a nibble out of the leaves or nom on flowers overnight or while you’re at work.

Identifying your plant is the top thing you can do to help prevent accidental poisonings. Proper identification can be done with the help of a local nursery or botanist.

For most common houseplants, identification is not difficult, but exotic or rare plants can sometimes look similar to others that are toxic.

If you need extra reassurance or to be 100% positive, there are horticultural labs that will test a sample of your plant’s tissue for a genetic match, giving you a positive identification down to the subspecies.