You want to liven up your home and demonstrate to your pals that you are “hip to the newest interior design trends (hint: indoor rainforests are trendy)” so you want to add some greenery. Before you buy that fancy fiddle leaf fig, huge cactus, or cut-leaf philodendron at the neighborhood nursery, keep in mind that your cat or dog will also be residing with and probably attempting to consume your newest plant-child. We conducted research to assist you in making plant selections that are secure for your pet family members!
Unexpectedly, some of the most common and accessible house plants are harmful to your dogs. Among many other plants, this list includes ficus, snake plant (mother-in-tongue), law’s philodendron, and the majority of cacti.
The most common offenders when it comes to chewing on indoor plants are cats. But pets are also in danger. Dogs can be poisoned by many of the same plants that can harm your cat. In addition, there is a chance that dogs will dig up and consume potentially harmful horticultural bulbs.
If consumed by cats or dogs, aloe vera is toxic and can result in vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and tremors.
Mother-in-Tongue law’s (Snake Plant)
If consumed by cats or dogs, it is toxic and can result in diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
Philodendron
If consumed by cats or dogs, this substance is toxic and can cause oral irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, and trouble swallowing.
Anguished Fig Tree
Toxic to cats and dogs; when consumed, it can result in oral irritation, excessive drooling, and vomiting as well as dermatitis when the plant is in touch with the animal’s skin.
Fig, Fiddle Leaf
If consumed by cats or dogs, this substance is toxic and can cause vomiting, excessive drooling, and oral irritation.
LiliesThe majority of lily cultivars are hazardous to your pet. A freshly cut spring bouquet on your dining table may be lovely, but your cat or dog can view it more as a meal than a decorative item. For your pets, even a small nibble of the leaves or blossoms or a smell of the pollen from some types can be lethal.
Even though some lily kinds, like Peace and Calla, are not fatal to animals, they can nevertheless produce mild to severe poisoning symptoms in your cat. Excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, pawing at the mouth, loss of appetite, and mouth irritation are among the symptoms.
Easter, Tiger, Day, Japanese, and Stargazer lilies are examples of lilies that can cause renal failure. Vomiting, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, lethargy, dehydration, increased or decreased thirst and urination, stomach discomfort, and kidney failure are all symptoms of poisoning.
Get your pet to a veterinarian right once for treatment if you believe they may have ingested some harmful plant material or if you observe these symptoms in them.
What is a pet and plant lover to do then? There are several animal-safe plants available that can give your decor that contemporary, lush jungle feel!
Here are a few nice illustrations:
Majesty PalmA sizable indoor palm that prefers moist soil and 6 to 8 hours of bright light.
Fern in maidenhair
It needs consistent hydration (not sloppy dampness) and oblique morning or afternoon light to grow because it is delicate and picky.
Spider Plant is versatile and simple to grow. Your spider plant will thrive if you give it well-drained soil and bright indirect light.
Orchids
For an orchid to bloom, strong, indirect light, high humidity, airflow around the roots, and alternating periods of drying soil and heavy watering are desired. This varies based on the type.
Ferns, Staghorn
usually fixed on a piece of wood to allow air to circulate around the roots. This epiphyte benefits from humidity, bright indirect light, and consistent, but not soggy, wetness.
BambooA fast-growing plant, bamboo prefers moist soil with good drainage, lots of water, and five hours of direct sunlight each day.
Cast Iron Works
This plant, a member of the lily family, is not harmful to your pet. Maintain consistent soil moisture and expose it to bright to semi-bright light. It dislikes exposure to direct sunshine.
BromeliadAn ancestor of the pineapple, bromeliads appreciate monthly irrigation and bright, indirect light.
Perhaps you already have some of the listed hazardous plants, and your dogs get along just fine. Or perhaps, despite your pets’ interest, you lack the heart to give away your collection of cacti. Growing pet grass is one method for diverting your pets’ attention away from any potential threat. Once it has grown, put the grass next to your pet’s bowl to reward good behavior. The idea behind a pet herb garden is that some animals will intuitively consume plants that have medical benefits, such as peppermint to calm an upset stomach.
Another choice is to purchase a plant spray that is suitable for pets and has a harsh taste to discourage nibbling.
Fiddle Leaf Figs: How Harmful to Cats?
Sadly, fiddle leaf figs are poisonous to cats. Fiddle leaf figs can irritate the mouth and cause extreme burning in the tongue, lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and even trouble swallowing when consumed. When consumed by dogs and other animals, fiddle leaf figs have the same negative consequences.
Can dogs eat fiddles?
The toxicity of fiddle leaf figs to cats, dogs, and people is a major concern for many fiddle leaf fig owners or potential fiddle leaf fig owners.
The bad news is that fiddles are poisonous to humans as well as animals like cats and dogs.
Fiddle leaf fig leaves, stems, and trunks release an unpleasant white sap when cut, which you do not want to get on your skin or consume!
The good news is that fiddle leaf figs are only mildly poisonous, so even while eating them can make you sick and irritate your stomach, throat, and mouth, it won’t kill you. The sap from a violin can also hurt or possibly cause skin blisters. Gloves should always be worn when pruning or propagating your violin (for this reason, of course)!
Here’s what you need to know and what to do if a pet ingests any portion of your fiddle or gets the sap on its skin if you have animals that might bite into your fiddle’s leaves.
Can pets safely be around fig leaf plants?
We’re sorry to break the news to you, but the fiddle leaf fig, one of the most notorious indoor plants on the Internet, is poisonous to dogs if consumed. The fiddle leaf fig is a medium- to large-sized houseplant with a thin trunk and huge fiddle-shaped leaves that is revered by both interior decorators and houseplant aficionados.
Unfortunately, eating fiddle leaf fig foliage might make your dog experience unpleasant symptoms like skin and gastrointestinal irritation. Bring a fiddle leaf fig outside if your dog likes to gnaw on plants.
Are cats safe to use fig plants?
Like many plants, figs are completely harmless for people, but your cat will be irritated and poisoned by the fruit, leaves, and sap of fig and fig tree trees. Although figs have a low to moderate level of toxicity, you should still get your cat to the clinic right away if you think it may have consumed something poisonous. If your cat receives prompt veterinarian care soon after being exposed, its chances of making a full recovery from poisoning increase.
Figs are a common fruit that has been cultivated for many years. Weeping fig and ficus, which are other names for fig plants, are also common interior and outdoor ornamental plants. Their gorgeous interior foliage has tall, glossy green leaves. Unfortunately, your cat may be attracted to figs for the same reasons as humans do, which could be harmful to their health.
Can cats be harmed by Ficus lyrata?
Despite not being fatally harmful to cats, Ficus lyrata is best avoided because it makes cats extremely uncomfortable. There are numerous other plants with lovely leaves that cats can safely consume.
So, with a little knowledge, you can keep your curious kitties content and safe while maintaining a beautifully decorated home with a wide range of plants.
Which component of a fiddle leaf fig is toxic to dogs?
Dogs are poisoned by the milky-white sap that is produced by the fiddle leaf fig’s whole leaf structure. Insoluble calcium oxalate is present in the sap.
It also contains pointed crystals that, when chewed, allow calcium oxalates to enter the dog’s oral tissue quickly.
Fiddle leaf figs are classified as having a level of toxicity that is fourth in class by the University of California. This denotes the amount of toxicity that is the least dangerous.
Whether your dog has taken a bite or has already swallowed it will affect the toxicity impact.
The intensity of their dyspepsia determines how much discomfort they feel even though the end result may not be detrimental.
No matter how many bites your dog has taken, it may get skin discomfort.
Additionally, if your dog has taken a large bite and has already swallowed it, the symptoms will worsen and cause lip and mouth irritation.
The herb will enter your dog’s gastrointestinal tract if it is swallowed. This could cause your dog a number of irritants and other problems.
What types of indoor trees are dog-safe?
Small indoor plants are excellent. Sadly, as any plant parent’s obsession grows, so does their demand for various plant species. You inquire as to what kind of plants. Trees. I’m referring to enormous inside trees that transform your house into the desired Babylonian garden instantaneously.
I had only ever seen indoor trees in minimalist restaurants, Anthropologie, and the occasional city hotel until very recently. In locations like these, indoor trees are quite cool, but a tree in a house just sounds difficult. In all honesty, having trees in homes looks like a stylish but bad decision. I’m thinking of something you could see on a design program, but it would be unrealistic for a busy family of four to keep up in a chilly house in Maine. Anyway.
But let me assure you that they are not, matter how daunting and dubious having an indoor tree to your home may seem. You might be on your way to introducing a new plant giant into your life with a little forethought and a practical technique to get a 6 plant home from IKEA.
So let’s make a plan before you continue reading. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Have you have a spot for this tree? Make sure you have room for this tree because space is crucial. What’s more, each and every one of these indoor trees adores light. They must have at least one South or light East/West window; passageways with gloomy corners are abhorrent. Ultimately, you need a sunny, open area for this man first and foremost.
- Are you ready for the shedding of leaves? During specific seasons, some of these trees might be messy when they drop their leaves and withered blossoms. The trees that shed are listed below; if this is a concern, pick one without leaves. I kid you not; that is not conceivable.
- Do you own well-mannered animals? Dogs like to mark everything, and cats are known for climbing trees. You should be OK to go if your pets are well-behaved and aren’t climbers, urinators, or leaf eaters. In case you just wish to supply pet-friendly plants in your pet-filled home, I also list which huge plants are hazardous and which are suitable for pets.
- Do you have the ability to monitor watering? Putting together a watering schedule is a major task. Large indoor plants are just that—large. It can be quite challenging to determine when they need water, and depending on the season, the “once a week rule” may occasionally shift significantly.
If the answer to each of these questions was yes, then feel free to choose one of these muscular infants.
Why eats my dog the leaves of the fig tree?
Many of us consider our dogs to be members of the family, so it’s important to keep them safe. Making sure that any plants you’re considering bringing into your home are not poisonous to dogs, cats, or other pets is one approach to achieve this.
What’s Great About Fig Trees (for You)
Fig trees make lovely ornamental plants that require little maintenance. And their fruit is wonderfully delicious—figs are renowned as nature’s candy because of their creamy texture and subtle vanilla flavor. It’s difficult to imagine that something as delicious as a fig could really be healthy, yet it’s true that figs are excellent sources of fiber and can aid in the management of diabetes.
Why Pets and Fig Trees May Not Mix
Although figs are completely safe for people, fig fruit, leaves, and sap are toxic to pets and can lead to unpleasant gastrointestinal and skin irritations. Significant drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea are indications that your pet may have been pursuing your fig tree. You should get your pet to the vet right away if you think they may have consumed figs, fig leaves, or any other hazardous substance.
Why do some pets try to chew on fig trees?
After all, dogs and cats are carnivores, so why is this confusing? Why then do we occasionally see them eating grass or other greens to the point of becoming ill?
The wild ancestors of your dog or cat frequently consumed plants and leaves to make up for dietary shortfalls. That characteristic can occasionally be passed down to their domesticated counterparts (especially when they are deficient in specific nutrients like fiber or seeking to soothe an upset stomach). Other animals may decide to sample your indoor plants because of the appealing aroma or flavor (dogs especially may be tempted to try a fig). A bored animal who has nothing better to do may suddenly get interested in leaves flying in a breeze or air circulation.
Consult your veterinarian to rule out any potential health issues or vitamin deficiency if you discover that your dog or cat is frequently eating plants.
Ways to Keep Pets from Bothering Your Fig Tree
It’s generally best to avoid looking for a fig tree for sale if your pet is an unrepentant plant-chewer. Instead, if your dog or cat has never bothered your plants before and you’d like to try planting your own fig tree, be sure to use the following five suggestions to help dogs and plants get along:
- Keep animals and plants apart. If you can, place your fig tree on a high shelf or countertop because it’s a good idea to keep dangerous materials out of your pet’s reach just like you would with children. If you’re not at home, this might not discourage cats or particularly persistent dogs. Make sure your fig tree is secure behind a closed door if you are unable to keep an eye on your dogs. On the other hand, you can crate your dog or lock your cat in a room without any plants (with food, drink, and litter).
- Apply lemon juice as a spritz to your fig tree. Lemon juice is healthy for plants, and since dogs and cats don’t like the taste or scent of it, it also works well as a natural deterrent that your pets can eat.
- Provide your pet with a lot of wholesome activity. Make sure your dog or cat receives plenty of exercise because boredom can cause destructive behavior in any pet. A rigorous game of string with your cat or a lengthy, daily stroll with your dog will do wonders for their mental health and help keep them away from your fig tree.
- Make sure your pet has something to play with other than your fig tree. Making sure your cat or dog has toys to keep them occupied is another approach to assist them avoid being bored. Give your dog something to gnaw on or many toys for your cat to throw around. Both cats and dogs enjoy puzzle toys that have treats inside that they have to work to get out.
- Use training techniques to prevent your pets from accessing your fig tree. A little punishment can help if you catch your dog or cat exploring your fig tree. Both cats and dogs can be scared away with a short, gentle spritz of water from a spray bottle or a sharp rattling of a tin can partially filled with coins and the phrase, “No!” To show your pet that wonderful things happen when they leave the fig tree alone, make sure to reward them with treats when they remain away from it.