When you have pets in your home to look after, there are certain precautions you must take to keep them safe. Simple things like not leaving chocolate where a dog could reach it or not allowing your cat on the counter near a hot stove are both good examples of simple things that pet parents can do to ensure the safety of their furry friends. Another common threat is the presence of houseplants as some of them can be toxic or even deadly to our pets if ingested. Did you know that some of the most popular common indoor plants can cause issues for your pet?
Plants Toxins and Pets
The best way to avoid exposing your pets to potentially toxic indoor plants is to be aware of which ones are harmful to them. A great resource for this is the Ontario SPCA’s website where they have a master list of harmful plants and flowers that should be avoided in a home with pets.
Dogs:
- American Holly (symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, depression)
- Branching Ivy (symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation)
- Sago Palm (symptoms: liver failure, death)
- Tomato Plants (symptoms: weakness, drowsiness, gastrointestinal distress, slow heart rate)
- Aloe Vera (symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, general nervous system depression)
Cats:
- Lilies: (symptoms: acute kidney failure, death)
- Sago Palm (symptoms: liver failure, death)
- Azaleas (symptoms: tremors, abnormal heart rate, seizures)
- Cannabis (symptoms: vomiting, low blood pressure, seizures, coma)
- Dumb Canes (mouth irritation, mouth swelling, difficulty breathing)
Preventative Measures Homeowners Can Take
While these toxic plants are meant to be taken seriously, there are several simple ways to protect your animals from these harmful toxins and ensure their overall health.
Protecting Dogs:
- The most simple, do not have these plants in the home
- Keep these plants high up where the dog cannot reach
- Pick up any fallen leaves that the dog could get into
- Confine your dog to a room without plants when you are not home
Protecting Cats:
- Avoid having these plants in the home
- Lock plants behind glass in a terrarium
- Only keep these plants in a room that’s inaccessible to your cats at all times
In Case Of Emergency
While we try our best as pet owners to take care of our animals and ensure that they are not going to fall ill from toxic plants, sometimes mistakes do happen. If your dog or cat is accidentally poisoned by a plant, take them to the emergency vet immediately. In case of emergencies like this, many pet owners have opted to invest in Pet insurance through Hudson’s Bay Financial Services, meaning they will be reimbursed for up to 80% of veterinary costs in case of emergency or other necessary veterinary care.
Mistakes happen. If your pet needs emergency veterinary care, know that you’re financially covered with
Pet Insurance from Hudson’s Bay Financial Services and Petline!
Protect your pets with pet insurance from Hudson’s Bay and Petline – Canada’s largest pet insurance company. Pet owners can be reimbursed for up to 80% of veterinary costs, including X-rays, hospitalization, surgery, dental care, and prescriptions. Plus, owners can earn up to 4,000 Hudson’s Bay Rewards points with their enrollment.