Your Guide to Gardening with Dog-friendly Plants
Thursday, May 27, 2021 13:43:54 PM America/Los_Angeles
There’s nothing like a plant to spruce up your home! Whether you’re looking to add a little cheer or character to your space, plants can help liven up the atmosphere. But as much as plants bring life to our homes and help our humble abodes feel a bit more cozy, some plants can also pose a danger to your dog. As plants become an increasingly popular decor element, it’s important to be aware of which plants are safe and which can be toxic for your fur baby.
Photo by Hiro Takashima
Some common but toxic plants for dogs are:
- Peace Lilies: Lilies can cause vomiting and irritation in areas that have come in contact with the flowers.
- Foxglove: Foxglove can even be dangerous to humans if consumed. They produce naturally occuring toxins that can affect the heart.
- Yarrow: Yarrow will likely be intuitively avoided, as it contains bitter tannins. If consumed, yarrow will result in diarrhea and vomiting.
- English Ivy: This quaint vine can cause drooling, diarrhea, and vomiting if ingested.
- Morning Glories: These beauties can be quite toxic if consumed in large amounts, with a range of symptoms being possible such as vomiting, lethargy, and tremors.
Safe Outdoor plants
Even if your dog spends the majority of her time indoors, it’s important to make sure your backyard or anywhere your dog frequents doesn’t have any toxic plants around. As you’re probably well aware, dogs love to sniff, chew, and dig, and you’ll want to be sure that they don’t get tempted to munch on the wrong kind of plant. But fret not, there are still plenty of gorgeous and safe plants that can help turn your yard into your own little paradise.
- Marigolds
- Purple basil
- Sunflowers
- Rosemary
- African violets
- Decorative grasses like blue fescue
Safe Indoor plants
Indoor plants have been all the rage lately, and luckily there are a good amount of indoor plants that are both dog-safe and chic! If you’re thinking about bringing the great outdoors inside, here are a couple of pet-friendly suggestions.
- Ferns (Most ferns including the maidenhair fern and the Boston fern)
- Prayer plants
- Air plants
- Spider plants
- Basil
- Moth orchids
- Friendship plants
Plants can be a wonderful addition to your home, and learning more about which are toxic for dogs can help you make safe choices about any new green addition to your space. Sites like ASPCA’s page on toxic plants have more extensive lists to reference. If you think your dog has been exposed to or has consumed a toxic plant, it’s always best to contact your vet immediately.
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