A leading pet health expert is warning of the life-threatening threat posted by common house plants to dogs and cats.
Veterinary and nutrition consultant for Burns Pet Nutrition, Emily Boardman says dogs and cats can become seriously-ill and even die after coming into contact with these toxic plants.
Emily outlines five common houseplants that can prove toxic to cats and dogs.
Velvet Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Micans)
Velvet Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Micans) are hanging plants that boast beautiful, heart-shaped leaves.
However, these plants can cause very severe and quick reactions in pets, particularly in dogs where their consumption can be fatal.
If a dog ingests a larger quantity of these leaves they may experience severe respiratory and digestive issues that even end their life..
As well as the potential to kill your dog, these plants can also lead to them having convulsions, renal failure, and going into a coma.
Swiss Cheese Plants (Monstera Deliciosa)
Swiss Cheese Plants (Monstera Deliciosa) are popular for their large and distinctive leaves but contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can lead to swelling in the tissue of a pet’s mouth.
Cats tend to lick objects more regularly meaning these plants often pose a bigger and more common threat to felines, though they are also toxic to dogs.
Luckily, most cats are naturally put off by their foul taste and therefore tend not to consume enough for any serious effects to occur.
But, these plants do cause the cat’s airways to swell up, and even if there aren’t any fatal complications, your cat can still be in a great deal of pain after tasting the plant.
Other nasty side effects like swelling and vomiting can also occur.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake Plant (Sansevieria) is known as one of the easiest plants to care for because it ‘thrives on neglect’ and only needs watering once every two weeks – however, owning one may mean you’re neglecting your pet.
The Snake Plant contains toxic substances known as saponins – a unique molecule structure that enables them to interact with lipids, essential components of cell membranes.
These saponins can cause inflammation, irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and other adverse effects when they come into contact with your pet’s gastrointestinal tract.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifloia)
Despite being among the easiest to maintain, ZZ Plants (Zamioculcas zamiifloia) are to be handled with care because they are toxic to both humans and their pets.
The plants can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and severe irritation to the mouths of dogs and cats.
The calcium oxalate & saponinsy in the plants also means they are toxic to humans, and should be handled with gloves. They can cause irritation to the skin and pain if ingested.
Lilies (lilium)
Lilies (lilium) are very appealing plants to have in the house because of their air-purifying qualities – they can greatly improve breathing for the homeowner.
However, lilies are extremely dangerous to cats if they ingest them because they contain toxins that can cause severe kidney damage, which can in some cases prove fatal.
Lilies can also cause stomach pain in dogs, though they general have a greater resistance to their toxins.
Pet Nutritionist and Veterinary Specialist at Burns Pet Nutrition, Emily Boardman says: “Pet owners should be extremely careful about the house plants in their homes and be aware of the ones known for being toxic for their four-legged friends.
“Generally, cats tend to lick plants while some dogs in nature will eat anything in sight, which can sadly lead to fatal repercussions. My advice would be to do some thorough research before making any house plant purchases.
“As an extra precaution, I would attempt to keep all plants out of reach of your pets regardless. There are many plants that are pet-friendly like White Star’s (Calathea Majestica), String Of Hearts (Ceropegia), Ponytail Palm (Beucarnea Recurvata) and Fishbone cactus (Epiphyllym Anguliger), which are all non-toxic.
“If you believe your pet has been adversely affected by a toxic plant, get in touch with a vet as soon as possible.”
