Pet-friendly plants to spruce up your home

Updated 18/05/2023

Filling your home with a range of house plants is a great way to introduce a little life, style and color into your humble abode. But did you know that, as innocent as they may seem, some common house plants can be extremely toxic to cats and dogs?

The good news is, there are lots of pet-friendly plants (and even some plants which can benefit your pets) that you can fill your home with to your heart’s content. 

Plants – they’re good for the soul

Studies have shown that house plants can help boost our mood, productivity, concentration and creativity, which means (as well as being visually appealing) they’re great for those who tend to work from home. Our green potted friends also produce oxygen and absorb toxins in the air, making them great for home offices.

But are they good for pets?

There are a number of plants that are poisonous to pets, including lilies, ivy, and certain types of ferns (to name a few). Luckily, there are also a number of dog- and cat-friendly plants that are completely safe for our four-legged pals. It’s important to remember, however, that even though these plants are non-toxic to pets, they should still be kept out of reach of our pets. This is because plants can cause other health issues such as tummy upset and even blockages in our pet’s digestive systems if they eat them.

Which plants are safe for pets?

Some plants that are safe for dogs and cats include: 

• Calathea
• Spider plants
• Money tree
• Peperomia
• Boston ferns
• African Violets
• Hibiscus
• Wax plant
• Herbs (such as basil, sage, and thyme)
• Parlor palms (although we can’t guarantee they’ll be safe from your kitty!)

Trusted tip: while these plants are non-toxic, again, you should still discourage your cat or dog from ingesting them where possible, as ingesting any plant could still lead to some tummy upset.

If you have any suspicion that your pet may have eaten something that they shouldn’t have eaten, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately for medical advice. It’s vital to remember that even if your pet has eaten something harmful, they may not show any symptoms (such as vomiting and diarrhea) until it is too late for them. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and discuss with your veterinary clinic to decide on the next best step for your pet. Seeking prompt veterinary advice will help give your pet the best chance of making a recovery and getting better. 

Stay alert - especially when your pets are outdoors

While we can control what’s inside our homes, unfortunately, there are a number of plants growing in your very garden that could cause your pet harm. While we can (to an extent) make sure our garden is fairly pet safe, it’s much harder for cat owners to know what our feline friends are getting up to while out on their daily patrol of the neighborhood.

If you suspect a pet you're sitting for may have ingested something they shouldn’t, then call your dedicated Vet Advice Line. Available 24/7, it’s free for all members while on a sit and included in your TrustedHousesitters membership. 

Why not try sitting for a plant?

Dog lover or cat lover – it’s a debate as old as time itself. But one thing we can probably all agree on is that a plant-filled home is great for living, working and pet-sitting alike! There are many sits on TrustedHousesitters that need caring pet- and plant-lovers to sit for them. Why not browse our latest house sitting opportunities and find your next adventure? 

Meet our veterinary expert, Evie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Evie Moloney RCVS. Evie is a vet surgeon who graduated from the University College Dublin, which is the only university offering the veterinary medicine degree in Ireland. She really enjoys surgery and has also worked as an emergency and critical care vet. She is passionate about sharing education about preventative health care 
for pets, especially the importance of regular dog and cat teeth brushing at home. She also enjoys helping owners find practical solutions for keeping pets as comfortable as possible while living with conditions such as arthritis. When not working, she enjoys hiking and swimming. 

It’s important to remember that there are many plants that could harm your pet, both inside and outside of the home. So always check that the plant you’re about to purchase is a pet-friendly plant, and if in doubt, it’s best to go without. The ASPCA has a list of non-toxic and toxic plants which you can use to help you make a safe decision. And as always, keep all plants out of reach of pets so they cannot eat parts of them.

Remember, as a TrustedHousesitters member, you can access expert advice 24/7 for free while on a sit, simply by calling the number on your dashboard.