Did you know, certain plants are toxic to dogs? If you’re a pet parent who loves indoor plants, this article is for you! Our friends at Rooted shared their top 4 tips for maintaining thriving indoor plants, while also ensuring the safety and well-being of your beloved pup.
Tip 1: Exclusively Bring Home Non-Toxic Plants!
Most of the time, a chewy affair between your pups and plants will cause some tummy upset—every dog is different though, and some may be more sensitive than others. It’s best to always use caution with potentially harmful plants, first by researching whether the plants you already own are toxic, and second by contacting a vet immediately if ingestion occurs.
It’s always better to play it safe by opting for 100% non-toxic plants if your pet is prone to chewing or consuming plants. Popular pet-friendly plants include the Money Tree, Prayer Plant, Bird’s Nest Fern, Calathea ‘Rattlesnake’, Parlor Palm, Peperomia 'Hope', Air Plants. View the full pet-friendly plant collection here and our Wild One x Rooted Fetch & Foliage Box!)
Tip 2: Create Physical Barriers or Pet-Free Spaces
If your dog is prone to climbing and knocking over your plants, opt for hanging your plants from curtain rods, hooks, or use decorative plant-stands to create a larger physical boundary between your pets and plants. Floating shelves, glass cases, and tall cabinets are also great options. You can also designate a pet-free room or corner of your space as a houseplant oasis. This can be especially helpful for unrestricted plant growth, especially when trying to get a plant to grow larger.
Tip 3: Provide Distractions
To deter your pup from exploring your plants, offer interactive toys and play areas to keep them entertained. The Tennis Tumble or Wild One x Rooted Fetch & Foliage Box are great options!
Tip 4: Use deterrent spray
If your pup is prone to chewing on your plants, a DIY concoction of water, vinegar, and citrus oil/juice can be applied to pot exteriors for deterrence. Bitter apple cider vinegar is also a popular alternative that can be purchased at most pet stores.