House plants are a popular interior trend and can be a wonderful addition to any home. With new flower and plant subscription services popping up everywhere it’s never been easier to have a fresh bouquet delivered weekly or to expand the household greenery with new varieties.
Not only are they aesthetically pleasing in your pad, but studies also suggest that houseplants improve mental health and help regulate air quality. It can also be very satisfying to nurture something and watch it grow. While we may enjoy our plants and having a vase of full of fresh blooms, these additional botanicals can pose hidden dangers for our four legged friends.
“Everyone needs to look after their mental wellbeing, but it’s also crucial that we look after our pets and ensure the environment which they live in is safe and doesn’t put them in harm's way,” explains Dr Scott Miller, TV personality and resident vet for Natusan. However, people are not always aware that there are multiple house plants and common flowers which cats and dogs are actually allergic to and can be very toxic, such as:
Aloe Vera
One of the more popular house plants due to their ability to soothe skin conditions. Although, in animals, Aloe Vera can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea if ingested, and after all, it’s not uncommon for pets to pounce on plants.
Snake plants
These simple plants are easy to keep, however, if your cat or dog get their teeth around one of these - it can cause symptoms of diarrhoea, drooling and vomiting.
Alocasia (AKA Elephants Ear)
A beautiful, tropical plant - traditionally with heart or arrow shaped leaves. Not so beautiful though if your pet tries to have a chew - as this can lead to irritation and unpleasant burning sensations in the mouth.
Lilies
A common flower which might make for a beautiful bouquet in the home but lilies are extremely toxic and potentially fatal to cats. In fact, the entire plant is toxic - from the stem to the leaves - and can cause fatal kidney failure in felines.
Amaryllis
These stunning large flowers are toxic to cats and can cause depression, diarrhoea, abdominal pains, hyper salivation and tremors.
Poinsettia
A Christmas favourite, it’s easy to pick up these red flowering plants in local supermarkets during the festive season. Poinsettia isn’t toxic, but it does have very irritating sap that can cause vomiting and discomfort if ingested.
Daffodils
These springtime blooms contain crystals in the bulb that are toxic to cats, so watch out if your cat likes to dig in the garden.
There are many more plants and flowers which are harmful to our pets, so always look them up before you bring one home or if you are gifted plants or flowers.
Prevention is always better than the cure, so keep plants and flowers out of reach of curious kitties. Always check new environments for potential hazards, and keep an eye out for sudden drooling, vomiting, seizures, breathing difficulties and confusion or clumsiness in your cat, which are all signs of potential plant poisoning. If your pet does consume any poisonous house plant, seek veterinary advice immediately.
22/09/2021 by NatuTeam