While many people enjoy having a few houseplants to brighten up their interior, there are also plants that can be deadly to beloved pets.
A leading pet health expert warns of the life-threatening danger common houseplants pose to dogs and cats.
Emily Boardman, veterinarian and nutritionist at Burns Pet Nutrition, says dogs and cats can become seriously ill and even die if they come into contact with these poisonous plants.
Below, Emily shares the five most common houseplants that can be toxic to cats and dogs.
Velvet Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Micans)
Velvetleaf Philodendron (Philodendron Micans) can cause very serious and rapid reactions in pets, especially dogs, where consumption can be fatal (File Image)
Velvet Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Micans) is a hanging plant with beautiful, heart-shaped leaves.
However, these plants can cause very severe and rapid reactions in pets, especially dogs. Their consumption can even be fatal.
If a dog ingests a larger amount of these leaves, he can develop serious respiratory and digestive problems, which can even be fatal.
Not only can these plants be fatal to your dog, but they can also cause him to have convulsions, kidney failure, and coma.
Hole plant (Monstera Deliciosa)
Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa) Can Cause a Cat’s Airways to Swell (File Image)
The Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa) is popular for its large, showy leaves, but it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause swelling in your pet’s oral tissues.
Cats are more likely to lick objects, making these plants a greater and more common danger to cats. However, they are also toxic to dogs.
Fortunately, most cats dislike the bad taste of the food and often eat too little of it without any serious side effects.
However, these plants do cause a cat’s airways to swell. Even if there are no fatal complications, your cat may still be in a lot of pain after tasting the plant, as other nasty side effects can occur, such as swelling and vomiting.
Sansevieria (Sansevieria)
Sansevieria (Sansevieria) contains toxic substances called saponins that can cause inflammation, irritation, nausea and vomiting in cats (File Image)
Sanseveria (Sansevieria) is known as one of the easiest plants to care for, as it ‘thrives on neglect’ and only needs watering once every two weeks. However, choosing to buy one could mean unintentionally neglecting your pet.
This is because the plant contains toxic substances called saponins. This unique molecular structure allows saponins to interact with lipids, essential components of cell membranes.
These saponins can cause inflammation, irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other harmful effects when they come into contact with your pet’s gastrointestinal tract.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifloia)
Despite being among the easiest plants to care for, ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifloia) must be handled with care as they are toxic to both humans and their pets (file image)
Although they are among the easiest plants to care for, ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifloia) must be treated with care as they are toxic to both humans and their pets.
The plants can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and severe irritation to the mouths of dogs and cats.
The presence of calcium oxalate and saponin in the plants also means that they are poisonous to humans, so you should handle them with gloves.
They can cause skin irritation and pain if ingested.
Lilies (lilium)
Lilies are extremely dangerous for cats to eat, as they contain toxins that can cause serious kidney damage (File Image)
Lilies (lilium) are very attractive plants to have in the home because of their air purifying properties. They can significantly improve the homeowner’s breathing.
However, lilies can be extremely dangerous for cats if they eat them, as they contain toxins that can cause serious kidney damage, which in some cases can even be fatal.
Lilies can also cause stomach upset in dogs, although they generally have a greater resistance to the toxins in lilies.
Ms Boardman says: ‘Pet owners need to be extremely careful with the houseplants in their home and be wary of those that are poisonous to their four-legged friends.
‘Cats generally lick plants, while some dogs in the wild will eat anything they come across, which can unfortunately have fatal consequences.
My advice is to do thorough research before purchasing any houseplants.
As an added precaution, I would try to keep all plants out of reach of your pets anyway.
There are many plants that are suitable for pets, such as Calathea Majestica (White Star), Ceropegia (Heart Bush), Beucarnea Recurvata (Horsetail Palm) and Epiphyllym Anguliger (Fishbone Cactus). All of these are non-toxic.
‘If you think your pet has been harmed by a poisonous plant, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.’