Like your new cat or dog, plants and cut flowers are a welcome addition to any home. Unfortunately, not all plants are safe for our ever curious pets. Lilies can cause kidney damage and death in cats, and dogs can suffer tremors from ingesting macadamia nuts. It is important that we as owners are aware of the threat certain plants pose to our cats and dogs.
Thankfully, the ASPCA has compiled a database of plants that are known to have adverse effects on pets. While we have reprinted the current list of plant names here as a quick reference guide, the ASPCA’s website contains detailed information about each plant, including pictures, level of toxicity, and symptoms if ingested. As the ASPCA notes, this list is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants.
To ensure a safe home for your new pet, keep them away from any house plants or flowers until you have a chance to reference the toxic plant list. Likewise, any future plants brought into the home should also be checked out.
If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian, emergency animal clinic or the ASPCA’s 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435.