If you dream of having a little branch of the tropical jungle inside your home but the wildlife that inhabit your spaces have developed a taste for nibbling on botanical specimens, this can become a problem as there are plants that are toxic to pets. This does not mean that you should refrain from having plants in your home, but you should choose the right ones.

To help you choose safe species, here's a list of the top pet-friendly plants so your only worry when you see your furry friend hanging from the ferns is how you'll clean up the substrate he's left on the ground.

why does my pet chew on plants?

Cats are completely carnivorous, but sometimes it triggers them to feel a different texture or feel fibre in their mouths. In fact, in the wild felines consume the stomach contents of their prey to satisfy this need. They may also do it because they are bored and want to play with that funny moving plant, swing on the fern and jump on the branches.

Dogs, on the other hand, often bite plants out of sheer curiosity. Some vets claim they may do this because they lack fibre in their diet, but this is rarely true for furry dogs that are fed a balanced diet by their humans.

That they eat grass to purge or because they feel sick to their stomach is a myth.

Your pets can be trained not to chew on plants. You can do this by placing chew toys in accessible places or by saying "No" every time you catch them chewing the plant and offering a toy or treat. In the case of cats, you can offer them a variety of activities, play with them using objects they find amusing or get catnip, which is completely safe for them.

While they are learning and for their own well-being, it is preferable to have pet-safe plants indoors.

Pet-friendly plants

Be very careful with plants. Some species are too toxic for your pets, as they have harmful compounds that are released when they bite them. For example, all lilies are fatal to cats, causing kidney failure even in the smallest amounts. Plants such as lily of the valley, kalanchoes and others have glycosides that cause cardiac arrhythmias, while plants such as dieffenbachia (dumb cane) or philodendrons contain calcium oxalate that causes mucosal pain when chewed, as well as throat irritation.

This is not usually fatal, but can cause foaming and severe vomiting. Cacti, while not poisonous, have spines that can stick in the mouth and tongue.

There is no need to panic, because these are all ones that you can safely keep indoors, as they will not cause any health problems for your four-legged friend. However, if you have any doubts, you can always use the smart search engine in our shop. There you can select the option "Suitable for pets" and you can be sure that all the plants listed are safe.

Boston fern

These ferns are usually quite safe for pets and children. They are a favourite of my cats, who love to swing from hanging pots. They are plants that also help to manage humidity levels in rooms and purify the environment, so they are useful, beautiful and safe.

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Boston fern

€29.00

Regulates the humidity level

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Blue Star Fern

€33.00

A climbing fern

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Maranthas

The marantha or prayer flower closes its leaves at night, like the hands of a praying person. It is a beautifully coloured tropical plant that grows very small and is very eye-catching. Because of its size it is perfect to place on tables and shelves and can be chewed by your furry friends without worrying about it.

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Prayer plant

€34.00

Humidifies and cleans the air

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Ctenanthe Burle Marxii

€36.00

It loves humidity and regulates it

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Calathea Triostar

Another plant with beautiful colours and showy leaves that doesn't require too much care. Prized for its purifying properties and contrasting colours, it helps to improve humidity levels so you could have it in your room.

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Calathea triostar

€37.00

Tough and eye-catching

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Euphorbia Eritrea

€58.00

An exotic and hardy succulent.

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Echeverias

These beautiful and eye-catching succulents are 100% pet-proof. There are many species belonging to this genus, with different shapes and colours, they have no thorns and their rosette-like leaves will delight you. You may notice your pet's teeth marks, but echeverias will survive. I have noticed that they can pierce them with their teeth, but they don't usually break or eat them, they sure don't taste good.

African violets

A lot of flowering plants are toxic to pets, but African violets are completely safe for your pets. In some cultures the flowers are eaten. These beautifully coloured flowering plants are very easy to grow indoors, as they do not like bright, direct sunlight.

Basil

If you like aromatic herbs for your kitchen, you should know that basil can be eaten by your furry friend without much trouble. It is a seasonal herb, so if you want it to last all year round, you have to pay attention and trim the flower buds as soon as they start to emerge.

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Offer -10%

Alocasia Zebrina L

€56.00 €50.40

Tropical and easy to care for

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Monstera Deliciosa

€46.00 €41.40

Adapts to any environment

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Ribbons

Also known as spider plant or mala madre, these plants are very easy to care for, can grow in low light and have purifying properties. Perfect for those who don't know how to care for plants, have pets and don't want to worry about keeping them away because it's cute and very hardy, even under the claws of a small cat.