Toxic Houseplants: Which Ones Endanger Cats and Dogs
Lilies: a cat emergency
True lilies (Easter, tiger, day, Asiatic) are catastrophically toxic to cats — pollen, petals, even vase water can cause kidney failure. If a cat has any lily contact, go to a vet immediately. Cat homes should simply never contain lilies.
Common offenders
Pothos, philodendron, monstera, peace lily and dieffenbachia cause intense mouth pain, drooling and vomiting when chewed. Sago palm is among the worst for dogs — every part can cause liver failure. Aloe, jade and snake plant cause milder GI upset.
Safe and stylish swaps
Spider plants, Boston ferns, calatheas, prayer plants, parlor palms, peperomias and African violets are pet-safe and thrive indoors. Cat grass and catnip give determined nibblers a legal target.
If they've chewed something
Take a photo of the plant, remove plant material from the mouth, and call your vet or the ASPCA Poison Control hotline. Knowing the plant's name turns panic into a plan.
Something with their name on it
We press your pet’s name onto a small paw print keychain by hand, in one of ten colours, and post it anywhere in South Africa. R299 plus R73 delivery, or two for R449 delivered free.
See the keychain →