We all enjoy the beauty and air-freshening benefits of plants, but did you know that some of the most common household plants could be making your pets sick?  These are the top five plants you should not have around your pets to eliminate the potentially toxic affects to your pets:

Asparagus Fern

Asparagus Fern is a popular ornamental plant, but it can be hazardous to both cats and dogs. The plant contains sapogenins, which can cause allergic dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain when ingested. If your pet comes into contact with this plant, watch for signs of skin irritation and gastrointestinal upset. Keep the Asparagus Fern out of reach or consider choosing a pet-friendly alternative.

Chryanthemum

Chrysanthemums are a popular choice for brightening up gardens and homes. However, they contain pyrethrins, which can be toxic to both cats and dogs. Ingesting Chrysanthemum can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, loss of coordination, and dermatitis. If you have pets, consider opting for a safer alternative to decorate your home.

Easter Lilies

Easter Lilies are a symbol of spring and a common gift during the Easter season. However, they pose a significant risk to cats. Even small amounts of the plant (leaves, petals, pollen, or water from the vase) can cause severe kidney damage, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and changes in urination. Dogs are not typically affected by lilies, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and keep these plants away from all pets.

Jade Plant

The Jade Plant is a popular succulent known for its attractive, fleshy leaves. However, the toxic compounds in this plant are not well understood, and ingestion can lead to vomiting, depression, loss of coordination, lethargy, and, in rare cases, slow heart rate in both cats and dogs. Keep Jade Plants out of reach of pets or choose a non-toxic alternative.

Aloe Vera

Aloe is well-known for its soothing properties and is often used as a natural remedy for various skin conditions. However, when ingested by pets, it can be toxic. Aloe contains compounds called saponins and anthraquinones, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, tremors, and depression in cats and dogs. To keep your pets safe, make sure to place your aloe plants in areas where they cannot access them.

If you have one of these common household plants, you might want to consider removing them from your home or keeping them in an area where they can’t reach.  If you’re unsure of whether a plant is toxic, it’s better to be cautious and keep it away from your pets altogether.  You can also consult with your veterinarian, a professional pet sitting and dog walking company like ours, or do some research online to identify plants that may pose a threat to your pets.

It’s also important to supervise your fur-babies while they are outside, being cautious of what your pets are sniffing and nibbling on since many common garden plants and flowers can also be toxic.  

In conclusion, adding plants to your home can be a great way to enhance its beauty and purify the air.  You can choose non-toxic plants such as the Spider plant, Boston Fern, Bamboo Palm, or Peperomia.  Of course, there is also the popular “Cat-nip or cat grass you can leave out for your cats but it can also be somewhat toxic to dogs and may upset their stomachs.

Our Pawfect Pet & House Sitter team is aware and always on the lookout for potentially harmful plants during our visits to your home, and will notify you or put potentially toxic plants in a safe location away from your fur-babies reach while we are watching them. Safety is our top priority as Pawfect Pet Sitters and Dog walkers, and we look forward to caring for your fur-babies and keeping them safe.

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