Because some plants are not suitable for pets
Learning how and which plants you should keep away from your pets is essential to ensure their good health and avoid unnecessary scares.

Not all plants and pets are compatible, and I don't mean that pairing cats with hanging ferns isn't the best of ideas (don't ask me how I discovered this) or that there are dogs that will want to train for the national pot-digging contest; but there are plants that can be harmful to your furry best friend. Learning how and which plants you should keep away from your pets is essential to ensure their good health and avoid unnecessary scares.
Why are there toxic plants?
As plants are so static, we tend to forget that they are also living beings and as such they develop strategies that are aimed at conserving and prolonging their existence. Just as there are animals that develop an appearance that allows them to go unnoticed to avoid their predators or acquire colors and vivid patterns to warn that they are poisonous, plants also undergo changes in adaptation and defense.
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Some of these secondary metabolites may be toxic to animals, but they can be used by humans, such as lemon. Others cause uperficial irritations, while some cause stomach discomfort. The vast majority of these substances have one thing in common: they must be consumed in order to act.
Plants vs Pets: Avoiding Conflicts
It is imperative that you train your pets so that they do not get used to chewing on plants. Believe it or not, even cats can learn. First of all, you should know that adult cats and dogs start investigating and playing with plants because they are bored and need to be stimulated properly. In the case of puppies, it can be a little more complicated due to their curious and playful nature, but they still respond to proper training.
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When you see your pet approaching the plant, firmly say NO and offer a toy to distract them. You can have your own mini herb garden for cats (they sell them ready to water and let grow), they will have their fiber needs met and leave your plants alone. In any case, don't be overconfident and only have pet-friendly plants inside the house.
There
are a lot of popular houseplants that are toxic to animals, so we won't be able to mention them all. Anyway, you can start with this short list:
- Aloe vera. It has a yellowish latex that causes irritation and vomiting.
- Anthuriums: The whole plant is toxic. It causes vomiting, paralysis of the tongue, and swelling of the face.
- Croton: The latex of the plant irritates the mucous membranes and skin, causes vomiting and conjunctivitis, among others.
- Adam's rib: The whole plant is toxic. It causes itching of the face, swelling, vomiting, and paralysis of the tongue.
- Hydrangea: the leaves and suckers are poisonous. It causes stomach problems and cyanosis, in high doses it can produce seizures and coma.
- Kalanchoe: This succulent is very toxic. It affects the heart, causes vomiting, tremors and diarrhea, then can lead to death from heart failure.
- Mute cane: the whole plant is toxic, especially the white latex. It causes dermatitis, irritation, excessive salivation, severe pain and shortness of breath.
- Peace Lily: The whole plant is toxic. It has irritating effects similar to those of the mud cane.
Remember that you can use Be.Green's very intelligent search engine to find pet-friendly plants, as there is a dedicated search option. You can also find the file by species, where we tell you if it is suitable or not.
A few minutes of research can make all the difference for the well-being of your furry friends.