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Is that plant safe for my pet?

Search a houseplant to see whether it's toxic or safe for cats and dogs, based on the ASPCA poison-control list, with the signs to watch for. Cats and dogs nibble greenery out of curiosity or boredom, so it pays to know what's on your windowsill - and to keep the risky ones well out of reach.

๐Ÿšจ If your pet has eaten a plant

Don't wait for symptoms. Call your vet or a pet poison helpline right away, and tell them the plant's name (a photo helps). True lilies are an emergency for cats even in tiny amounts. Watch for drooling, vomiting, pawing at the mouth, weakness or breathing trouble - and bring a piece of the plant with you if you go in.

Lily (true lilies: Easter, Tiger, Asiatic, Day) โš ๏ธ

Lily (true lilies: Easter, Tiger, Asiatic, Day)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic severe

Deadly to cats - even pollen or vase water can cause fatal kidney failure. A cat near any true lily is an emergency. Milder stomach upset in dogs.

Sago Palm โš ๏ธ

Sago Palm

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic severe

All parts, especially seeds, are highly toxic - vomiting, then liver failure. A true emergency for both cats and dogs.

Oleander โš ๏ธ

Oleander

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic severe

Affects the heart - drooling, vomiting, abnormal heart rate. Emergency.

Azalea / Rhododendron โš ๏ธ

Azalea / Rhododendron

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic severe

Vomiting, drooling, weakness and heart problems even in small amounts. Emergency.

Daffodil (bulbs) โš ๏ธ

Daffodil (bulbs)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Bulbs are the worst part - vomiting, drooling, and at higher doses heart and breathing trouble.

Tulip (bulbs) โš ๏ธ

Tulip (bulbs)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Concentrated in the bulb - mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting.

Hyacinth (bulbs) โš ๏ธ

Hyacinth (bulbs)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Bulbs cause intense drooling, vomiting and sometimes diarrhea.

Amaryllis โš ๏ธ

Amaryllis

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Vomiting, drooling, lethargy and tremors; bulb is most toxic.

Cyclamen โš ๏ธ

Cyclamen

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Roots/tubers most toxic - drooling, vomiting; large amounts affect the heart.

Kalanchoe โš ๏ธ

Kalanchoe

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Common houseplant - vomiting and diarrhea, rarely heart rhythm changes.

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane) โš ๏ธ

Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Intense mouth burning and irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing.

Philodendron โš ๏ธ

Philodendron

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Calcium oxalates - mouth irritation, drooling, pawing at the face, vomiting.

Pothos (Devil's Ivy) โš ๏ธ

Pothos (Devil's Ivy)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Very common - oral irritation, drooling and vomiting if chewed.

Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant) โš ๏ธ

Monstera (Swiss Cheese Plant)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Mouth and throat irritation, drooling, vomiting.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) โš ๏ธ

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Not a true lily, but irritating - burning mouth, drooling, vomiting. (Far less dangerous than true lilies.)

Anthurium โš ๏ธ

Anthurium

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Oral irritation, drooling and difficulty swallowing.

Caladium โš ๏ธ

Caladium

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Burning mouth, drooling, vomiting and swelling.

Schefflera (Umbrella Plant) โš ๏ธ

Schefflera (Umbrella Plant)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Oral irritation, drooling, vomiting.

English Ivy โš ๏ธ

English Ivy

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Leaves more toxic than berries - vomiting, diarrhea, drooling.

Jade Plant โš ๏ธ

Jade Plant

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Vomiting, lethargy and incoordination; reason unknown.

Chrysanthemum โš ๏ธ

Chrysanthemum

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and skin irritation.

Lantana โš ๏ธ

Lantana

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic moderate

Vomiting, diarrhea, and with large amounts, liver effects.

Croton โš ๏ธ

Croton

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic mild

Mouth and stomach irritation if chewed.

Dracaena โš ๏ธ

Dracaena

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic mild

Vomiting (sometimes with blood), drooling; cats may show dilated pupils.

Snake Plant (Sansevieria) โš ๏ธ

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic mild

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if eaten.

ZZ Plant โš ๏ธ

ZZ Plant

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic mild

Irritating sap - mouth/stomach irritation; wash hands after handling.

Aloe Vera โš ๏ธ

Aloe Vera

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic mild

Vomiting, lethargy and diarrhea (the gel itself is less of an issue than the outer leaf).

Begonia โš ๏ธ

Begonia

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic mild

Tubers most toxic - mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting.

Asparagus Fern โš ๏ธ

Asparagus Fern

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic mild

Berries cause stomach upset; repeated skin contact can cause irritation.

Poinsettia โš ๏ธ

Poinsettia

๐Ÿฑ Toxic ๐Ÿถ Toxic mild

Reputation is overblown - usually just mild drooling or stomach upset.

Spider Plant ๐Ÿชด

Spider Plant

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic. Cats love to bat at it; overeating any plant can still cause mild tummy upset.

Boston Fern ๐Ÿชด

Boston Fern

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic and a popular pet-friendly choice.

Areca Palm ๐Ÿชด

Areca Palm

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic - a safe way to get the palm look. (Not to be confused with toxic Sago Palm.)

Parlor Palm ๐Ÿชด

Parlor Palm

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic and easy-going.

Ponytail Palm ๐Ÿชด

Ponytail Palm

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic.

Calathea / Prayer Plant ๐Ÿชด

Calathea / Prayer Plant

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic, pet-friendly foliage.

Peperomia ๐Ÿชด

Peperomia

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic, compact and easy.

Money Tree (Pachira) ๐Ÿชด

Money Tree (Pachira)

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic.

African Violet ๐Ÿชด

African Violet

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic flowering houseplant.

Phalaenopsis Orchid ๐Ÿชด

Phalaenopsis Orchid

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic - moth orchids are pet-safe.

Bromeliad ๐Ÿชด

Bromeliad

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic and colourful.

Hoya (Wax Plant) ๐Ÿชด

Hoya (Wax Plant)

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic trailing plant.

Pilea (Chinese Money Plant) ๐Ÿชด

Pilea (Chinese Money Plant)

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic and easy to propagate.

Echeveria & Haworthia (succulents) ๐Ÿชด

Echeveria & Haworthia (succulents)

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

These common succulents are non-toxic (unlike Jade and Aloe).

Christmas Cactus ๐Ÿชด

Christmas Cactus

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic, though the fibrous parts can cause mild upset if gorged on.

Bird's Nest Fern ๐Ÿชด

Bird's Nest Fern

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic.

Polka Dot Plant ๐Ÿชด

Polka Dot Plant

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Non-toxic and pet-friendly.

Basil, Rosemary & Thyme ๐Ÿชด

Basil, Rosemary & Thyme

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

These kitchen herbs are non-toxic to pets.

Catnip & Cat Grass ๐Ÿชด

Catnip & Cat Grass

๐Ÿฑ Safe ๐Ÿถ Safe

Safe and actually made for cats - a good redirect for plant-chewers.

โš ๏ธ This list covers common houseplants and follows the ASPCA poison-control classifications, but it isn't exhaustive and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Individual pets and doses vary, "non-toxic" doesn't mean a big helping won't cause an upset, and identification matters - many plants share common names. If you're unsure or your pet has eaten something, call your vet or a pet poison helpline.

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