Pets and plants often occupy the same spaces in our homes. After all, what indoor jungle would be complete without a few animals? While pets and plants mix fairly well most of the time, it’s very important to take safety into consideration when bringing the two worlds together.
If you’re thinking about bringing plants into a home with cats, dogs, or other animals that might be tempted to go snacking, you should be asking these key questions first:
- What is the scientific name (NOT the common name) of the plant, and is it safe for pets? (check out our list of pet-safe plants HERE)
- Are my pets “chewers?”
- Is there an accessible emergency vet in my area?
- Can I keep the pets and plants separated if needed?
Knowledge is power. Simply knowing what plants you have, as well as how your individual pet behaves, can prevent all kinds of stress, drama, and injuries. Not to mention it can save a lot of money in unexpected vet bills. Read on for our handy guide to helping your pets and plants successfully coexist.
Toxicity
There are many different compounds and substances that can negatively affect cats and dogs. Not every plant is deadly (there are fewer deadly plants out there than you might assume), but some types of plants still contain organic compounds that will make your pet sick. For example, many toxic plants can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, oral irritation, swelling in the mouth, and difficulty swallowing.
These symptoms may not kill your dog or cat, but they can necessitate a trip to the vet and mean a day or two of intense discomfort and stress. So even if your plants are simply irritating rather than deadly, it’s still best to prevent pets from munching in the first place.
A good example of this is snake plants (sansevierias). Because of their upright foliage, many people like to place snake plants at ground level- an instant temptation for pets. While a nibble on a snake plant leaf isn’t deadly, it can still cause intense oral and gastrointestinal irritation in both cats and dogs that will most likely require a vet visit.
Bringing Home Safe Plants
If you have cats or dogs (or other pets that might be tempted to nibble on things), it’s a great idea to do some research on the plants you’re thinking about bringing home before they come through the door. A small handful of plant shops use “pet safe” labels or have a section dedicated to pet-friendly plants, and most will at least have staff that can answer questions about plant toxicity.
However, many shops don’t have that information readily available, and you can forget it at big box stores. The larger home supply stores often don’t even have the plant’s real name on the labels at all.
No matter where you’re purchasing it from, you’ll want to know the scientific name of the plant so you can research whether or not it’s safe to be around your fur babies. Many plants share the same, or very similar, common names, so searching for “money tree” or “dragon plant” might not give you the correct information.
One example of how important scientific names are is the Sago palm. If you search for whether or not palms are safe for pets, you’ll see that they generally are. However, Sago palms are not “true palms” and are actually highly toxic to animals.
Besides Googling the scientific name, there are also online resources like the ASPCA’s list of plants that are safe for pets. The site lists tons of plants and their levels of toxicity for dogs, cats, and horses.
Prevent Damage Safely and Naturally
Even if your pets are completely safe from your plants, your plants might not be safe from your pets. Cats and dogs are notorious for munching on leaves, knocking entire pots over, and even digging in soil (rabbits and other small animals are no slackers, either). Luckily there are a few methods you can use to prevent damage.
Play Keep-Away
The simplest method of keeping plants safe from pets is keeping them out of reach of those curious and destructive paws. The best way to do that is by hanging plants from ceiling hooks or curtain rods, usually with macrame-style plant hangers. You can also place plants on shelves that are out of reach, or in enclosed terrariums.
Cover the Soil
If soil is something your pet finds amusing, there are a few ways you can keep them from digging in it (or pooping- looking at you, cats). The first is adding some upright sticks to the pot, and anything from wooden chopsticks to sticks from your yard will do the trick. Place them a few inches apart in the soil to discourage pets from exploring the dirt.
Another method is fully covering the soil surface. You can do this by cutting a piece of cloth, cardboard, or strong paper to fit the diameter of your pot, leaving a hole in the center for your plant to grow through.
Nature’s Repellants
One last way to safely and naturally keep your pets away from your plants is to use either essential oil sprays or spices. It sounds a little funny, but spices like cayenne pepper can deter your pet from bothering your plants if sprinkled on the soil. Citrus peels work well too.
If your pet is more prone to munching on leaves, try a spray bottle with water and essential oils like citronella, lavender, and peppermint. These are non-toxic to pets but will make the foliage unappealing to them.
In Case of Emergency
There aren’t many feelings worse than knowing your beloved pet has ingested something toxic. Thankfully, there are numbers you can call to get help and information quickly. The ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center phone number is (888) 426-4435, and the line is open 24 hours a day.
If you have plants known to be toxic to animals in your home, regardless of how well you keep them out of reach, it’s a good idea to know the scientific name of the plant, how it might affect your pet, and the phone number of an emergency vet office in your area. There’s no such thing as being too prepared.
It is absolutely possible for pets and plants to coexist in the same household, whether you have a pack of pups or a single rabbit. It’s all about making sure you know what you’re bringing into your home, taking all of the necessary precautions, and being prepared in case something unexpected occurs.
Rachel Souerbry @desert.and.vine.botanical
Nashville, TNI'm a Californian bringing my love of desert plants to Tennessee. I run a pop-up plant shop in Nashville called Desert + Vine, and love promoting sustainability within the houseplant industry. www.desertandvinebotanical.com
