Are your houseplants toxic to animals?

November 3rd, 2008, 9:03 am · Post a Comment · posted by Cindy McNatt

Julie Bawden Davis:

I’ll never forget the day many years ago when my indoor cat, Junebug, took a big bite out of the pothos on my living room end table. The look of horror on her face was bad enough to see, but the drool that lasted for several hours was the worst.

Like many unknowing animal owners, I had no idea that pothos could be toxic to pets and people. Fortunately, the toxicity of pothos and similar indoor plants generally isn’t enough to kill. Instead, such plants have microscopic crystals in the leaf juices that are akin to tiny needles or splinters of glass. When the plants are chewed, intense mouth pain, irritation, swelling and drooling can occur.

Although Junebug and I had a few bad hours together, I looked at it as bonding time. And perhaps best of all, the experience taught her a lesson. She lived 15 more years and never went near another houseplant again.

Oxalate Containing House Plants:

Plants in this category have microscopic crystals in their juice or sap that look and feel like tiny needles or splinters of glass. When these plants are chewed, intense mouth pain, irritation and swelling can occur.

Common Oxalate Containing House Plants:

Anthurium, Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, Elephant’s Ear (Alocasia and Colocasia), Caladium, Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum), pothos, Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa), some Begonia species, Boston Ivy and Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum).

Toxicity:

While reactions to eating oxalate containing house plants can be highly uncomfortable and last for several hours, ingesting these plants is generally not life-threatening, unless there is enough swelling to obstruct breathing.

Symptoms of Ingestion in Humans:

Intense mouth pain, irritation and swelling, nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, lethargy, drop in heart range and decrease in blood pressure. All symptoms usually occur within 24 hours.

Symptoms of Ingestion in Animals:

Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. All symptoms usually occur within 24 hours.

When to Seek Medical Attention:

Consult a doctor for young children, and if swelling or any other symptoms seem severe. When in doubt, always seek an expert opinion.

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