Our Guide to Indoor Plants That Are Safe for Pets
We simply love pets here at The Little Botanical, so it’s important to make sure we choose plants that are safe for pets. It seems you do too, given how often we get asked the question, “Which houseplants are safe for my pets?”. And rightly so. Certain plants can cause all kinds of trouble for pets, so it’s best to be prepared with the right knowledge so that you can keep your cute companions safe.
Every product description on our website features a handy information section letting you know which botanicals are safe for your furry friends to be around. We also have a category dedicated solely to pet-friendly plants so it’s easy for you to browse pet-friendly houseplants in one place. This is where you can find this information:
Hopefully, you’ll find this blog helpful when searching for your pet-friendly greenery. It’s also worth checking out our
Pet-friendly Plant Bundle and our Pet-Lovers Plant Bundle are both fab collections of pet-friendly houseplants which are non-toxic for pets and animals.
The Importance of Pet-Friendly Plants
Did you know we’re a nation of animal lovers? A whopping 50% of us own a pet. Just over a quarter (26%) of UK adults have a dog, and just under a quarter (24%) have a cat – and that’s before we think about smaller critters like mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.
As a pet-loving nation, we are used to our four legged-friends having a little nibble on our slippers, shoes and on-trend greenery. Our guide is here to help you distinguish your toxic from your non-toxic plants and ensure you keep your furry friends safe.
What Plants Are Toxic to Animals?
When we talk about plants being toxic to animals, we mean that they can make your pet pretty sick. How sick they become depends on a few things – the plant, the animal and how much they nibble. If your pet manages to get hold of a toxic plant, it may experience:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Difficulty swallowing
- Stomach pain
- Breathing difficulties
The symptoms vary depending on which plant they eat. There’s a pretty long list of plants that are toxic to pets, so we’ve added some helpful links at the bottom of this post to give you more details. We’d recommend you steer clear of Lilies, Aloe Vera, Asparagus Ferns, Hydrangeas and Bulbs, as all of these are sadly likely to make pets poorly.
There are certain ways to deter your pet from getting too close to your plants, such as putting some spices (like cayenne pepper) around them. You could also put orange and lemon peel into the plant pots. Animals don’t like the smell of citrus, so this will deter them.
However, if you have a curious dog or cat, it’s best not to take the risk. To ensure you keep your pet safe and well, avoid these plants completely or, at the very least, place them up high or in a room that your pets can’t reach. You can never be too careful.
What Houseplants Are Pet Friendly?
While there are many botanicals your pets shouldn’t come into contact with, there are just as many plants that are safe for pets. We’ve pulled together a selection of pet-friendly plants that have the benefit of being low maintenance. That means they’re easy to look after AND come at no risk to your furry friends. Win-win!
Pet Lovers Bundle
Our new Pet Lovers Bundle includes a selection of gorgeous worry-free houseplants and succulents. This selection is sure to add interest and colour to your indoor jungle while keeping your cats and dogs safe and happy. Each luscious bundle includes a Spider Plant, Calathea and Haworthia.
