While many people are eager to invest in houseplants to add some greenery to their homes, for pet owners, finding nontoxic houseplants becomes increasingly important. In fact, some of your favorite indoor and outdoor plants might actually be doing a lot more harm than good — especially when it comes to your pet’s health and safety. The reality is, while indoor plants typically are known for improving indoor air quality, there are other reasons pet owners might want to be mindful about the specific type of houseplants they add to their living space. Ultimately, there are many different indoor and outdoor houseplants that can be quite dangerous and severely harmful to your pets. Here are the most toxic houseplants that pet owners should absolutely avoid incorporating into their home design.
Aloe Vera
While aloe vera plants are known to be wonderful for sunburns, they are actually quite toxic when it comes to your pets. In fact, aloe vera plants tend to contain a specific chemical that can result in vomiting and diarrhea in your pets when ingested. The reality is, having aloe vera plants in the house with any pets around could be incredibly harmful. Ultimately, there are other types of plants that are so much better for your health and your furry friends’ health other than aloe vera.
Devil’s Ivy
Another toxic houseplant for pets is devil’s ivy. In fact, many pet owners really enjoy the look and appeal of devil’s ivy. Fortunately, because of how the specific plant grows, you can get away with having devil’s ivy in the home by hanging it away from your pets’ reach. The reality is, signs of ingestion would include anything from face pawing and foaming in addition to the potential for vomiting. Ultimately, moderate to severe swelling in the mouth is another common sign that your pet might have gotten into the devil’s ivy. Therefore, it’s typically ideal to have your devil’s ivy plant out of reach from your pets if you are adamant about having it in the home.
We Would Love the Opportunity to Care for Your Furry Friends!
Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospital located in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, and Arnold areas. Our goal is to educate clients on their pets’ needs and understand the importance of individualized veterinary care to strengthen the human-animal bond between owners and pets.
We understand you have a choice when deciding on the care for your pets. Therefore, we strive to provide you with unparalleled services, including wellness exams, vaccines, lost pet microchip ID, dental care, surgical services, digital radiography, and in-hospital laboratory services and diagnostics. Other highlights of Alexander Animal Hospital are the separate cat and dog waiting and exam rooms and after-hours on-call emergency services.
Please look around our website and then give us a call at 410-777-8678 to set up an appointment. We’re social! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for all the latest updates!