If you have pets, do not buy these houseplants for your home

We all love our pets, and our plants. During the warmer months, you may be updating your landscaping, planting new plants, or even getting indoor plants for your home. However, you should be mindful as to what plants you choose to plant outside and have inside, as some plants can be very poisonous – even deadly – to pets.

To keep your furry friends safe, here are a few common houseplants to avoid if you have cats or dogs:

1. Lilies

While lilies are beautiful and fragrant, they are extremely toxic to cats. Even ingesting small amounts – such as licking pollen or nibbling a leaf – can cause kidney failure in felines.

2. Sago Palm

Every part of the sago palm is toxic, especially the seeds. Ingesting even a small amount can cause vomiting, diarrhea, liver failure, or even death in both cats and dogs.

3. Aloe Vera

Although known for its soothing properties for humans, aloe vera can be harmful to pets. It can cause lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested by cats or dogs.

4. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)

Popular for its low maintenance, pothos contains insoluble calcium oxalates that can irritate your pet’s mouth and digestive system, causing drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.

5. Snake Plant (Mother-in-Law’s Tongue)

Another hardy indoor favorite, the snake plant can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in pets if chewed or eaten.

6. Peace Lily

           

Despite its name, the peace lily is not so peaceful for pets. It can cause oral irritation, drooling, and difficulty swallowing due to the calcium oxalates in its leaves.

7. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

This common indoor plant can cause severe oral irritation, intense burning and swelling of the mouth, and difficulty breathing if ingested by pets.

Before bringing any plant into your home or garden, take a moment to research whether it's safe for your pets. Even non-lethal plants can cause discomfort or illness, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

There are many more plants toxic to animals. For an in-depth list of plants toxic to dogs from the ASPCA, click here. For an in-depth list of plants toxic to cats from the ASPCA, click here.

Keeping your pets healthy starts with a safe home environment – and that includes your houseplants!

About Ruoff Mortgage

At Ruoff Mortgage, we understand that buying a home is one of life’s biggest moments – not just as a financial decision, but a personal one. For more than 41 years, we’ve proudly helped families turn their dreams into reality. From our roots in northeast Indiana to now serving homebuyers throughout the Midwest, our focus has stayed the same: delivering exceptional service rooted in care, speed, and community. With an average 15-day clear-to-close time, our team is here to make your journey to homeownership as smooth and stress-free as possible. When you're ready to take the next step, we’re here to walk with you, every step of the way.