Houseplants and Your Pets – Memphis Area Pet Health
Houseplants are a great addition to any home. They are decorative, and improve air quality in your home by releasing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide, humidify the air, and help remove toxins from the air.
However, there are MANY that can be toxic to your pet! Signs of plant poisonings can range from mild GI upset to death. Therefore, it is VERY important before you bring a pet into your home or bring a new plant home, to be sure it is safe for your furry family members.
Some safe houseplants are:
Spider plants
Lemon Button ferns
Areca Palm
Ponytail Palm
Prayer Plant
If you are unsure if a plant is safe, you can go to this site and search for your plant. They even have pictures on this site to help guide you!
Have a frisky kitty that wants to just play in the pot and sling soil?…
Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the leaves of houseplants and your cat will back away pretty quickly. Cats also hate the smell of citrus. Put orange and lemon peels in your pots along with the plants to help deter them.
Another option is spraying the leaves directly with diluted lemon juice or orange oil.
You can enjoy your houseplants and your pets, too- just choose safe options!
-Dr. Karen Gant
