Ease Up On The Ivy
The not-so-dynamic duo of cat and plant can cause concern for pet owners about accidental injury, poisoning, or death. It’s understandable, really - many common houseplants aren’t safe for our unsuspecting furry friends, who will happily nibble on any greens they come into contact with. To keep your pets as secure as possible, we’ve compiled a list of plants you should watch out for, and ones you should consider instead.
1. String Of Hearts
The Ceropegia woodii is an air-purifying succulent that has adorable heart-shaped leaves and pink and silver markings. The plant is low maintenance, needing water every one to two weeks, and has no known chemicals that can hurt your pets.
2. Chinese Money Plant
The Chinese money plant, or the Pilea peperomioides, is a gorgeous little plant that sprouts lily pad-esque leaves. The plant contains no harmful compounds, making it a safe option for a pet-friendly house plant.
3. Hoyas
All hoyas are non-toxic to kitties, and are an easy plant to care for. They’re technically considered succulents, so they require little water, bright indirect sunlight, and bloom gorgeous flowers from spring to fall.
4. Spider Plant
The well-loved air purifying Chlorophytum comosum is a staple in most households, and is unfortunately a favorite of cats. The spider plant is non-toxic, but it is a mild hallucinogenic for our four-legged friends, similar to catnip. Keep your spider plant inaccessible to your pets, as large amounts can still lead to distress or an upset stomach.
5. Parlor Palm
This gorgeous, deep green palm is a great pet-safe option for your home, offering air-purifying qualities and being relatively easy to care for. The palm will also grow back if your kitty takes a bite or two.
6. Bird’s Nest Fern
The bird’s nest fern, or Asplenium nidus, is a non-toxic option for your home, and gives you some funky foliage to boot. However, like the asparagus, foxtail, bracken, and poison hemlock ferns, which are not safe, it’s best to double-check what you’re buying before you bring it home.
7. Venus Flytrap
The Dionaea muscipula is like a plant and a pet all wrapped up in one, and it won’t kill your four-legged friend. The venus flytrap will keep your home free of flies, and their tiny jaws won’t cause injury to your kitties. The digestive enzymes the plant contains also won’t hurt your kitty if they take a nibble.
8. Watermelon Peperomia
The watermelon peperomia, as well as all plants in the Peperomia genus, are non-toxic to cats as well as dogs, with no physical harm or chemical toxicity noted if ingested. This is great news, as these gorgeous plants will definitely liven up your home.
9. Bromeliad
These low-maintenance plants are safe for your pets, at most causing some nausea or vomiting if large amounts are eaten. Cats are known to love bromeliads, so it's best to keep this one high up for the sake of both animal and plant.
10. Orchid
Most common orchids are considered non-toxic to pets, with the worst being some mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested. That said, if you do decide to keep this beautiful flower in your home, it’s still best to have it out of reach.
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1. Aloe
The aloe plant is great for your skincare routine, but not necessarily so much for your pets. Aloe contains anthraquinones and anthracene glycosides— toxic compounds that induce vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and changes in urine. It likely won’t kill your cat, but it can cause significant harm.
2. Deadly Nightshade
Unsurprisingly, deadly nightshade is toxic to plants and humans alike. The Solanum nigrum is a dangerous psychoactive, which can cause a variety of symptoms in cats, all of which will typically end in death. This goes for you and your furry friend.
3. Bird Of Paradise
The bird of paradise contains GI irritants, which are mildly toxic to your kitties. If ingested, your cat will likely show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or excessive drooling. The white bird of paradise (Strelitzia) is mildly toxic, while the Caesalpinia gilliesii is more severe in nature.
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4. Hostas
All varieties of hostas are toxic to cats from leaves to roots, thanks to the natural insecticide called saponins. Saponins can irritate and alter the structure of cell membranes, which can show up as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, or depression in your furry friend.
5. Ivy
Most common types of ivy are toxic to cats, either through ingestion or skin contact. Ivy contains saponins, calcium oxalate crystals, and polyacetylene compounds, all of which result in gastrointestinal issues, drooling, swollen lips or tongue, difficulty breathing, fever, lethargy, and muscle weakness.
6. Lily
Most types of lilies are extremely toxic to cats. Even a small amount from any part of the plant (including the water from the vase) can cause fatal kidney failure in your kitty. True lilies and daylilies are the most dangerous, while calla and peace lilies, as well as lilies of the valley, will cause gastrointestinal issues and heart issues, respectively.
7. Snake Plant
The snake plant contains saponins, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, and mild gastrointestinal upset. Because of this natural defense mechanism, the plant will likely taste bitter to your cat, so they likely won’t consume too much, but it's still best to keep it out of the way.
8. Hyacinth
This gorgeous, fragrant flower is toxic to cats, dogs, and even horses. If your kitty accidentally gets into this flower, you’ll likely see vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, and allergic reactions. Hyacinths contain calcium oxalate crystals and alkaloid toxins, and the bulb is typically the most poisonous part of the flower.
9. Pothos
All varieties of pothos are toxic to cats. The pothos family contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can lead to irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. While it likely won’t kill your kitty, it’s probably best to keep the pothos away from prying claws.
10. Poinsettia
The Euphorbia pulcherrima is a holiday staple, unless you have furry friends in the house. Poinsettias are an irritant to the mouth and the stomach, and can occasionally induce vomiting thanks to their milky sap. However, it won’t kill your cat, and will only do some serious damage if they consume a large quantity.
