As pet owners, we always want to ensure our furry friends are safe and healthy. However, some common houseplants can be harmful or even poisonous to dogs and cats and result in a trip to Complete Pet Care Animal Hospital, your local Raleigh vet, if ingested. While it’s important to have greenery in our homes, every pet owner should know which plants are safe for our pets. Here are three common houseplants that are toxic to dogs and cats.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia, or dumb cane, is a popular houseplant known for its large, variegated leaves. However, it’s highly toxic to dogs and cats. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause severe oral irritation, swelling, and difficulty breathing. If ingested, it can also cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in extreme cases. It’s important to keep this plant out of reach of pets and visit your emergency vet Raleigh NC immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested any part.
Sago Palm
Sago palm is a common indoor and outdoor plant that can be highly toxic to dogs and cats. All parts of the plant, including the leaves, stem, and seeds, contain cycasin, which can cause severe liver failure if ingested. The symptoms of sago palm toxicity in pets include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
It’s crucial to keep sago palms out of reach of pets and to seek treatment from your Raleigh vet immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the plant.
Lilies
Lilies are popular houseplants known for their beautiful flowers and ease of care. However, some types of lilies, including peace and tiger lilies, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, swelling, and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms of lily toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. There are a few lilies that are fatal to pets, especially cats, including:
- Lily-of-the-valley
- Gloriosa
- Flame lily
While some lilies are not fatal, they can still cause permanent damage to your pet’s health. It’s important to keep them out of reach of pets and contact your emergency vet Raleigh NC if you suspect your pet has ingested any part of the plant, including pollen.
Complete Pet Care | Raleigh Vet
As pet owners, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers of common houseplants. While these plants can add beauty and greenery to our homes, they can also harm our furry friends. If you have any of these toxic plants in your home, keep them out of reach of pets and seek treatment from your Raleigh vet immediately if you suspect your pet has ingested any part of them. For more information about our services at Complete Pet Care Animal Hospital, please visit our website.