Is it safe to keep snake plants around pets?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Snake plants pose minor hazards to inquisitive pets due to their leaves containing natural toxins. If your cat or dog eats the leaves, they might experience nausea. Rarely, this leads to painful but not life-threatening symptoms. I keep mine high up on shelves to keep it out of the cat's reach. Putting plants in safe spots solves most of the problem.
Toxic Compounds
- Saponins cause gastrointestinal irritation upon ingestion
- Calcium oxalate crystals create mouth burning sensations
- Low toxicity compared to lilies or sago palms
Symptom Identification
- Excessive drooling signals mouth irritation
- Vomiting or diarrhea within hours of contact
- Lethargy indicating possible dehydration
Emergency Response
- Rinse mouth immediately with clean water
- Offer ice chips to reduce inflammation
- Contact vet if symptoms persist beyond 2 hours
Facilitate safe placements when placing plants in your pet's household. Place plants a minimum of 4 feet (120 cm) up on wall shelves. Utilize hanging planters for trailing plant varieties. Consider blocking plant areas with baby gates where applicable. My top-shelf collection remains safe while ground-based plants are nibbled.
Consider options that will not harm your pet. For example, spider plants excel at purifying the air without being toxic. Conversely, Boston ferns can add beautiful greenery to your home without harming your pet. Areca palms are also highly pet-friendly and thrive best in bright, sunny spaces. I like to mix spider plants (at pet level) with snake plants (on very high shelves) to balance the safety and benefits of both plants simultaneously.
Utilize a positive reinforcement approach to help train your pets. Reward pets with treats when they choose to ignore plants. Natural deterrents, such as citrus sprays, can also be used on pots and containers to repel pests. Provide cats with approved chewing alternatives, such as cat grass. I check my plants weekly, and also supervise my pets. Implement preventive measures to maintain harmony between plants and pets.
Read the full article: 10 Benefits of Snake Plant Revealed
