If you own a pet at home, particularly a cat or a dog, there is a reality we all face when it comes to having plants in the house. They are in danger! Understanding which household items in and outside the home are toxic to pets is essential to keep them safe. Both dogs and cats are oh so curious and love to get into things and explore. Sometimes this is to the detriment of their health! So you always have to keep an eye on them.
Lesson learned
Case in point! In this Flashback, Friday picture from 2011, my then fiance, now husband, brought home take-out dinner and flowers for me one evening. I set the vase of roses on the kitchen counter only for a minute later to catch Dusty checking things out.
She had hopped on the counter ( a no-no!) and was intrigued by the pink roses. She was sniffing and then lick lick.
“Nooooo!”
Thank goodness my helicopter cat mom instincts anticipated Dusty being nosy. I was able to grab her and place her on the floor away from the flowers before she chomped down on the leaves and made herself sick (or worse).
I love roses. They are my favorite flower and the only one that does not make me sneeze like crazy. However, when I was a cat mom to Precious and Dusty, I had no natural plants. I would tell friends, “This is why I don’t have flowers.”
Final Thoughts
So that’s my story. How about you? Have you experienced anything similar like this before in your home? Do you have to avoid certain things you would otherwise enjoy for the safety of your furry friend?
Comment and share your story below!
16 Comments
Katherine Roberson
I have huge schefflera plant that I have to keep in the bathroom thank God it likes being in the bathroom otherwise Rosie would be all over it think before putting anything real out for Curious noses
Kamira Gayle
Katherine,
LOL I totally understand. Been there!
Melissa Storms
Yes, my cat will jump to wherever i put flowers and at the very last bat at them but usually tear them apart, What is that all about?
Kamira Gayle
Melissa,
I know right? Not sure why our furry friends love to destroy the flowers. I can’t imagine they are that tasty. LOL
Terri
I had a cat that jumped up and licked the top of pumpkin pies. It was a little irritating at the time, but really funny too. She just wanted to be included. And now every time I have pumpkin pie I think of her.
Admin
Terri,
LOL! That reminds me of my (furry) niece Sushi. After doing some food prep I caught her sniffing the Tupperware and trying to lick the outside of the container! Our pets know good food, right?
Ruth Epstein
When I had cats I had some indoor safe plants but never flowers as they never lasted long with the cats around. Layla is not interested but with her allergies I do not have them in the house. I am looking into getting a plant to purify the air that is safe for dogs.
Admin
Ruth,
Having plants to purify the home is definitely a plus! Finding plants safe for our pets is tricky but doable. Good luck!
Michelle & The Paw Pack!
I only have small dogs, that luckily are not able to get to high places like countertops. Besides pets/animals, I also love plants! My house is basically covered in house plants, lol. I’m very careful to only select plants that are not toxic for dogs. I don’t worry about the dogs getting to them, since I keep the plants up high, but I do worry about the plants occasionally dropping a random flower, or leaf and the dogs finding that. Luckily there are many beautiful types of plants that are not toxic to pets.
Admin
Michelle,
I admire your “green” thumb! I don’t have the best luck with keeping plants alive for extended periods of time, except roses. Go figure. I definitely love a home with plants. It makes the home more alive.
jana
I agree–one ought to be careful what they plant inside and outside their house when they have pets. Just because a flower looks pretty, it doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Admin
Jana,
Exactly!
Dorothy "FiveSibesMom"
First, what a thoughtful gesture of your husband! Roses are my fave flowers, too! Oh, boy, plants and flowers are something I have not had in my house for decades always having a dog (or five)! At the holidays, I love Poinsettias, but they are so toxic, so I would hunt for the most realistic looking ones I could find to decorate my staircase. Any floral deliveries or the Valentines and Anniversary roses from my hubby were always relegated to the dining room table (the only room the Huskies were not able to access without someone opening the gate). Being a helicopter mom and pets go hand-in-hand for their safety! So glad you were fast acting. Isn’t it something how they always are so attracted to the things they should not be?!
Admin
Dorothy,
Ha!! So true! I swear our pets know better but can’t help themselves!
Robin
I, too, avoid flowers for the sake of my cats. My favorite flower is the hyacnth, but that one is a no-no for the kitties. I haven’t had any incidents with my cats eating real flowers, but I really don’t want to have one. I don’t like flowers enough to pay vet bills or possibly lose my cats for them. Instead, my husband buys me candy or takes me to the movies. That works so much better for me!
Admin
Robin,
I’m glad your cats have never had any incidents too! I like how your husband thinks! Candy and movies works well indeed! LOL