How your indoor plants can be a ‘death sentence for dogs’

Aussies have been warned about the risks of a popular trend in the home that can be poisonous for your pooch. See experts’ tips to keep pets safe.

Prettying up your home with indoor plants could be a death sentence for your dogs.

Plants and dogs both make a house feel like a home, but some plants can be poisonous for your pooch or irritate their skin.

Mike Halligan, co-founder of online dog food company Scratch, knows dogs will often eat anything and be blissfully unaware of the dangers, so his company has teamed with The Plant Society to provide dog owners with a guide on what leafy varieties to keep and avoid.

The guide recommends keeping plants far from the floor by placing them on high shelves or hanging them. But harmful plants need to be monitored to ensure no dropped leaves or debris in your dog’s path.

“Understand your dog and their behaviour and remove temptation,” Halligan says.

Aussies have been warned about the dangers of indoor plants to their pet dogs.

He says rewarding good behaviour when they follow commands to not sniff or bite plants will create positive habits.

“Take them to the plant and give positive association rewards when they are following commands,” he says.

This could be a reward of affection or treats when your dog chooses to “sit” or “stay” near the plant without digging around or chewing the leaves.

PLANTS TO KEEP

Jason Chongue from The Plant Society says plants suitable for homes with dogs include wax plants (hoyas), African violets, spider plants, Boston ferns and areca palms.

Hearty plants such as succulents, ponytail palms and cast iron plants will be both safe to your dog and can withstand pawing.

PLANTS TO AVOID

Chongue says the following popular varieties should be kept out of any dog’s home, especially if they are chewers – Zanzibar gems, peace lilies, rubber plants, English ivy, sago palms and asparagus ferns.

Halligan has ivy plants in his own home, but they are strategically located up high, away from his energetic dog.

“I keep all the things I like but find a way where they don’t bother my dog,” he says, adding that owners should also carefully consider what fertilisers and pesticides they use.

And if your dog does becomes unwell, or begins to act strangely, it is essential to contact an emergency vet immediately, and mention if they like to chew certain plants as a potential cause.

Originally published as How your indoor plants can be a ‘death sentence for dogs’