At Earth’s Ally, we care about our plants just as much as we do about our canine companions. However, pets and plants don’t appear to get along all that often. Many of our favorite plant species, as well as many popular herbal remedies, are toxic to cats and dogs. Learn more about our top 10 pet-friendly houseplants in the next paragraphs, as well as about the solutions we develop to keep our homes and gardens healthy without using harsh chemicals.
#1 Haworthia Succulent (Haworthia species)
Want to protect your pets while still enjoying the low-maintenance beauty of plants of the aloe genus? The best plant for you is a haworthia. This chic small succulent simply needs a little water once a week and would look wonderful in a sunny location.
#2 Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis)
The Boston Fern is a reliable houseplant with thick fronds that expand quickly with minimal attention. They thrive in a slightly humid climate, making bathrooms with some filtered sunlight an ideal location for them. Despite having what appear to be delicate leaves, Boston ferns are remarkably hardy.
#3 Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
Several well-known and eye-catching plants, such as the trendy Chinese money plant, the variegated aluminum plant, and the simple-to-procreate friendship plant, belong to the Pilea genus. These plants prefer a lot of indirect light and are said to be safe for cats and dogs.
#4 Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Pets may have concerns about palms, but the parlor palm is thought to be non-toxic. This tall, graceful plant is suitable for pets and does well in dimmer lighting conditions as well. They usually grow to a height of around four feet, but with care, they can grow as tall as eight feet.
#5 Banana Palm (Musa acuminata)
The banana palm is another substantial accent plant that is secure for your dogs. If you have lots of space, a banana plant is a fantastic option because of its enormous, glossy leaves and remarkable size.
#6 African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)
Look no further than the African violet for a pop of color. The African violet, a native of Tanzania with alluring purple, pink, blue, or white blossoms, is regarded as safe for pets. This low-maintenance plant doesn’t worry if the light isn’t as strong.
#7 Gloxinia Flower (Sinningia Speciosa)
The Sinningia genus encompasses everything from the most extravagant flowers to the tiniest, most delicate ones. They are frequently called Gloxinia and are widely used as gift plants. If you get one of these gorgeous things as a gift from a friend, you don’t have to worry about your dogs.
#9 Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are referred to as “unkillable houseplants” and produce festoons of lovely striped leaves. The best part is that spider plants produce baby mini-plants that grow into their pots from the main plant. Spider plants are a great option for pet-friendly gardens because they’re so simple to grow and maintain.
#10 Air Plants (Tillandsia)
They only need water and sunlight to survive. They are safe for cats and dogs because there is no soil for your pets to spill. They can be grown in a variety of containers with weekly watering.
Pet Safe Plant Care
The first step in creating a safe habitat for pets is selecting a non-toxic plant. Due to sporadic overwatering, common pests including scale, aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats virtually always affect indoor plants. Think about safe alternatives to common treatments when those annoying bugs appear.
For an immediate kill on soft-bodied insects, use an essential oil insecticide like Earth’s Ally Insect Control. When used as instructed, Earth’s Ally is extremely successful in treating pest issues and safe for People, Pets, & the Planet. It is made from rosemary, clove, and peppermint oils.
With the help of these suggestions, you may make a secure haven for your animal pals out of a lush oasis. We’d be interested to know how Earth’s Ally is assisting you in raising wholesome indoor plants that are safe for dogs and cats. Connect with the #EarthsAlly community on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share your pet photographs, have access to our most recent blog posts, giveaways, and special offers.
How would a cat react if it ate a parlor palm?
Cat owners can safely transport most palm trees home. Retailers frequently offer the Majesty Palm, Parlor Palm, and Banana Palm species of palms. These palms are all safe for cats to consume.
You needn’t worry if your cat eats any of these palms. Simply keep an eye on their behavior and watch for any signs of an upset stomach, such vomiting and diarrhea.
Additionally, be careful to keep the plant out of your cat’s reach. Even while the palm might not be harmful, the soil or any pests that might be hiding in the plant could still make your cat sick.
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The orchid, one of the most beautiful plants, is also canine friendly.
The parlour palm will give your garden a tropical atmosphere while being safe for dogs. Due to its ability to filter the air, it’s also fantastic as an interior plant.
No respectable cat could possibly resist petting the long leaves of the ponytail palm! These safe plants are a wonderful complement to any light-filled space.
The prayer plant, with its round leaves and distinctive pattern, is the ideal indoor plant if you want to help clean the air.
Which types of palms are poisonous to cats?
The Autumn Crocus can result in severe mouth burning, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, damage to the liver and kidneys, cardiac rhythms, and even death. Although the entire plant is said to be harmful to cats, the bulbs, seeds, and blooms are the most dangerous parts.
Azalea and Rhododendron
Even a small amount of azalea leaf consumption might irritate the mouth and result in vomiting and diarrhea in cats. In extreme circumstances, ingesting anything might result in a reduction in blood pressure, heart rhythms, a coma, and even death.
Daffodil
Although the entire plant is thought to be harmful to cats, the bulb is the most dangerous part. Oral discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, convulsions, and a severe drop in blood pressure can all result from ingesting any part of a daffodil.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia, sometimes known as dumb cane, is a common houseplant that can make cats have trouble swallowing, experience vomiting, and experience a burning sensation on their lips, tongue, and mouth. Dieffenbachia poisoning rarely results in death but is extremely unpleasant for cats.
Tulip
The tulip plant is said to be poisonous as a whole, but cats are particularly poisoned by the bulb. Significant oral discomfort, profuse drooling, and nausea may be brought on by ingestion. Tulip ingestion shouldn’t be fatal unless significant amounts of the bulb are consumed, which is unlikely in cats.
Kalanchoe
The kalanchoe, often called the mother-in-law plant, is a typical houseplant with tiny, dense blossoms. This plant is poisonous to cats in all of its components. Its consumption may result in nausea and diarrhea. Heart arrhythmias can happen on occasion.
Lily
Commonly referred to as lilies are numerous different species of flowering plants. Cats who consume even a tiny amount of the plants in the genus Lilium, such as Easter lilies, Asiatic lilies, and tiger lilies, suffer from acute kidney failure.
Day lilies belong to a different genus (Hemerocallis), yet their effects are comparable. Cats are poisoned by the plant in all of its parts, but the blossoms are particularly harmful. In fact, cats have been known to die from the deadly pollen of one of these lilies.
Sago Palm
The sago palm, also referred to as the coontie palm or the cardboard palm, is incredibly deadly to cats. Its consumption can result in mortality, bleeding disorders, bloody vomiting and diarrhea, and liver failure.
Oleander
Oleander is a well-liked ornamental blooming shrub that is typically found in California and the Southern United States. Its cardiac glycosides are extremely poisonous to cats and can result in deadly heart irregularities, muscular tremors, incoordination, convulsions, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. They are chemically related to digoxin.
Cyclamen
The cyclamen, also referred to as sowbread, is a common flowering houseplant that produces terpenoid saponins, which are toxic to cats. In large doses, they can result in cardiac irregularities, seizures, and death in addition to oral discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Can cats be poisoned by indoor palms?
Underrated are palm trees. They are easily maintained, readily accessible at retailers like IKEA and Lowe’s, safe and non-toxic to cats, dogs, and birds, and they grow swiftly. While Fiddle Leaf Figs and Monsteras are oversaturated on Instagram, I personally would love to see more #palmlove.
My first Majesty palm and one of my first indoor plants is Harold (shown top). He has endured a mealybug infestation, sweltering summer heat, and my negligent mothering mistake of leaving him outside in subfreezing weather. He somehow recovered. Because they are resilient, palms will become your favorite large pet-safe plant if you pay attention to them and appreciate them. They are also among the best plants for cleaning the air in your house.
Why is my palm plant being eaten by my cat?
Making the plants taste unpleasant to your cat is another smart move. Cats frequently like the flavor of plants, which is why they keep coming back to nibble on them. Citrus is unpleasant to cats both in taste and smell, so spritz your plants with a solution made of water, lemon, lime, or orange juice. The scent of the citrus is frequently sufficient to deter your cat. If she does nibble, a citrus flavor should deter her from doing it again.
Try adding vinegar if the taste and scent of the citrus don’t deter her. Cotton balls should be soaked in a water and vinegar solution before being placed on top of the soil to prevent plants from being harmed by vinegar spray. Your cat won’t be drawn to the smell of the vinegar, breaking her habit of eating or playing with the plants.
Sometimes the issue is not the plants being eaten, but rather your cat being drawn to the planter itself. She might be digging in the ground, considering it to be another litter box. Make sure the soil your plant is planted in is different from her cat litter in texture. Additionally, consider placing ornamental rocks on top of the soil to prevent your cat from digging into the planter.
Cats Like the Taste of Plants
Cats begin much of their investigation with their jaws. Even if it doesn’t sound all that appealing to you and me now, we both had similar first-time experiences with numerous things when we were infants. We all put everything in our mouths as babies, and cats are no different. Your cat will likely request more food if it tastes delicious.
You should keep an eye on how much they are chewing off, even with non-toxic plant kinds. Even safe plants can make you feel queasy or sick if you consume too many leaves or fronds.
Hopefully, you’ve read our post on the Top 10 Indoor Plants Safe for Cats, which will help soothe your concerns about your home’s plants’ safety. However, your cat will find non-toxic plants to be just as alluring. You should keep an eye on how much they are chewing off because even safe plants can upset the stomach or even create a gastrointestinal obstruction if enough is swallowed or if they swallow a huge frond.
If you think your cat is acting in an odd way, you should call your veterinarian right away. This can involve a shift in their typical eating patterns or issues going to the bathroom in the litter box.
Cats Like the Texture of Plants
When you take your cat outside, you might have seen that they are immediately drawn to the long reeds of grass and start nibbling on them. It’s possible that they like the plant’s texture.
It’s also possible that your cat has an upset stomach and is trying to ingest some fiber out of instinct to help their digestive system function more smoothly.
Cats Love the Movement of Leaves
This is most likely the main factor for cats’ fondness of plants. Cats are hunters by nature. Even though they are carnivores, it can be quite difficult to resist the movement of a leaf or palm. The Spider Plant is one of our favorite houseplants because of how alluring its long, velvety leaves are. For us, designating one plant as collateral damage was a fantastic idea, and this was the one!
Cats Chew Up Plants Out of Boredom
Many cat lovers may not be able to tell when their feline companion is getting impatient with being left alone or showing signs of boredom. Although it has long been believed that cats require less upkeep than dogs, this is not always the case. Long lengths of time alone with a cat can result in undesirable behavior. Your plant will wind up bearing the brunt of their irrational anger because destructive aggressiveness is one of those behaviors.
Is the Parlour palm pet secure?
The Parlour Palm is yet another low-maintenance indoor plant that is safe for use around pets. Even in the darkest spaces, the Parlour Palm adds beauty and is shade-tolerant.
Cats and snake plants: harmful or not?
Sansevieria trifasciata, sometimes known as the snake plant, is a very common indoor plant since it requires very little maintenance. The ASCPA cautions that cats are poisonous when using it. When consumed or chewed, the chemical compounds in snake plants known as saponins cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in cats.
What to do: Snake plants are less toxic to cats than aloe, so avoid them. If your cat is displaying symptoms and you feel they are related to chewing on or eating a snake plant, call your veterinarian or a helpline right once. Instructions will be given to you in accordance with how serious your symptoms are.
Change it: The caeroba is a non-toxic plant with a snake plant-like appearance. It’s even occasionally referred to as a “rattlesnake plant.” It still has that lovely winding aspect, but it’s less thick and more billowy than sturdy and straight.
Can cats be poisoned by succulents?
Are succulents harmful to animals? Hopefully your pets aren’t damaging your plants by chewing on them or digging them up for pleasure. If they do, though, should you be concerned about poisoning or toxicity? Fortunately, the majority of succulents are thought to be non-toxic and safe for pets to consume.
Some can cause mild symptoms when consumed, while others contain skin irritants that might cause minor skin irritations. However, some succulents can be deadly if consumed in high quantities.
The following list of 9 succulents can be toxic to pets:
A big and well-known genus called Aloe contains small dwarf species and giant tree-like species that can reach heights of up to 30 feet (10m). They feature large, fleshy leaves that range in color from green to bluish green. On the stem surfaces of some kinds, there are white flecks.
Aloe vera is harmful to both cats and dogs when consumed, despite the fact that it is well known for its many medical and useful benefits for people. Aloe’s principal toxin, saponin, which is a substance found in it, can seriously harm your pet’s health.