Some Houseplants Are Poisonous To Your Pet

Houseplants aren’t only beautiful, they’re very beneficial. They adorn and decorate our homes with nature and greenery and they help clean the air we breathe. But, plants can sometimes be very poisonous and toxic. They not only pose a threat to us, some can be very dangerous to our pets.

There are countless numbers of plants both indoors and out that are poisonous. But, the majority of houseplants come from areas that have a tropical climate. And, the most of the houseplants that are toxic come from tropical areas!

We try to protect our pets from poisons like pesticides, cleaning solutions and automotive products. We keep them healthy by keeping their shots up to date and taking them for regular checkups. But, often we don’t even think about the plants in our home being poisonous.

Most houseplants will only produce mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, drooling or diarrhea in our pets. They may also cause irritation and swelling to the mouth, throat, lips and tongue. And, if they get the sap into their eyes, it could cause sever burning and swelling.

More serious symptoms can range from seizures, hallucinations and coma. Your pet might experience severe abdominal pain and tremors. Other more serious problems can even include heart, kidney, liver and respiratory disorders. And, some houseplants can literally kill them, especially if they ingest a large amount of the plant.

In some cases only certain parts of the plant are toxic such as the leaves or flowers. But, some types of plants are poisonous from their roots to their leaves! And, while most houseplants are only mildly toxic, your beloved pet could be very sick and in pain for days.

Some of the most common houseplants that are poisonous include croton, dumb cane, English ivy, heartleaf philodendron and even rubber trees. Poinsettia’s are popular plants at Christmas, but they can cause cramps and diarrhea and if the sap gets into your dogs eyes, it can even cause blindness.

If your pet does ingest a toxic plant, the first thing you should do is induce vomiting. The faster you get the plant out of your pets stomach, the less toxins that will get absorbed into it’s body. You can give your pet a little vegetable oil, egg whites or milk to help coat their stomach and it’s recommended that you give them an enema with warm water.

Of course, if your pet is experiencing more serious symptoms like seizures, vomiting blood or has already went into a coma, get it to the vet as quickly as possible. Time is of the utmost importance in treating poisoning.

Most pets like to chew on things, but puppies and kittens are even more likely to chew on your plants. Do some research on all of the plants you have in your home. If they’re poisonous, either put them somewhere out of your pets reach, or give them to someone that doesn’t have pets.

If you find a plant that you want to purchase, get as much information as you an about it before you bring it into your home. Education is the best protection you can offer your pets to keep them safe and healthy.

Written by Connie Corder, Copyright 2008 HousePlantsForYou.com