As longtime Style Sleuth readers are aware, toxic houseplant awareness is a cause near and dear to my heart. Last summer, my precocious little kitty (Buddy) nibbled the tips of an aloe plant while staying with his unknowing sitter, and almost died as a result. It was a real wake-up call to the potential dangers of mixing pets with houseplants. Thanks to the efforts of his wonderful vet, he made it through and has bounced back to his cuddly, ever-curious self.
But with lily season just around the corner, I thought it was the perfect time to reiterate how dangerous certain greens in and around the house can be (as I mention in the March 2010 issue of Style at Home). To get the inside scoop, I called up Dr. Erica Gehring, a veterinarian at Marineland in Niagara Falls who also serves as a small animal vet. Seeing as how we hear all about lilies (and poinsettias, come to that), I asked Dr. Erica about plants that don’t play well with our four-legged friends.
“Interestingly,” Erica says, “The poinsettia is only a mildly toxic plant, despite its reputation. There are other plants that are much more toxic, and have a higher potential to cause death, depending on dosage.”
Topping Erica’s list of pet-unfriendly plants?
* Rhododendrons
* Azaleas
* Oleander
* Lily of the Valley
* Foxglove
* Milkweed varieties
* Castor beans
* Cycad plants
…and of course…
* Lilies (“in cats specifically,” Erica says)
Please keep this list in mind before bringing these greens home and when planning your garden this spring!
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