1. Sago palm

Origin: Asia.
Names: Sago Palm (common), Cycas revoluta (botanical/scientific)
Max Growth (approx): Height 2ft indoors
Toxicity level: Extreme

Known for its beautifully stiff feather-like fronds, the sago palm is commonly found in tropical, ornamental gardens or even indoors. Despite its classy look, all parts of the plant are highly toxic to pets; if ingested, the leaves and seeds can cause serious effect. The toxic principle is cycasin attacks the liver causing a broad range of symptoms include vomiting, bloody stools, fluid retention in the abdominal area, internal hemorrhaging, jaundice, liver failure, and, in some cases, death. Avoid having sago palms in and around your home if you have pets, and be extremely careful when removing them. Aggressive decontamination and treatment should be initiated. Even with aggressive treatment, the survival is about 50%.

2. Philodendrone

Origin: South America
Names: Heart leaf Philodendron, sweetheart plant (common names), Philodendron scandens (scientific/botanical name)
Max Growth (approx): 1-1.5m or more
Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

The philodendron thrives indoors and practically a no-fail houseplant because this plant require little effort to nurture; it is one of the easiest to grow. This classy plant is favoured for its decorative leaves and vining habit. Though it is known as the sweetheart plant or fiddle-leaf, but the leaves have a mild to moderate toxic level for you beloved cats and dogs if chewed or ingested. Calcium oxalate crystals is released upon chewing or biting any parts of the plant which is poisonous to you pet. Symptoms include excessive drooling, mouth pain and swelling, decreased appetite, vomiting, and (rarely) constriction of airways.

3. Dumb cane

Origin: West Indies.
Names: Dumb cane (common), Dieffenbachia amoena (botanical/scientific).
Max Growth (approx): Height 6ft.
Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

Dumb cane or leopard lily is a hardy plant that does well in tropical areas and tolerates indirect sunlight, making it an ideal indoor plant. Its white and green variegated leaves lightens up even the darkest corner of the house. Despite all the good qualities, this plant is seriously toxic to pets. It contains oxalate crystals and other toxic enzymes that cause a burning sensation if being chewed or ingested by that furry pet of yours. Symptoms of poisoning include drooling, mouth pain, vomiting, blindness and respiratory distress may also be experienced. Due to the seriousness of the effects of poisoning, many dogs will require hospitalization.

4. Jade plant

Origin: South Africa
Names: Jade, money , lucky, friendship (common), Crassula Ovata, C.portulacea, C.argentea (botanical/scientific)
Max Growth (approx): Height 3 ft or much less
Toxicity level: mild to moderate

The jade plant is a succulent plant with its fleshy leaves and sturdy tree-like appearance that provides an exotic appeal. This is also commonly called a rubber tree plant and is very toxic to pets when ingested. Dogs seem to find the thick, egg-shaped leaves tasty which lead them to danger. The poisonous components of the plant are still unknown, but there have been many side effect reported like gastric distress, heartbeat irregularities, lethargy and depression. If your pet eats any part of this plant, it is advised to bring them to the veterinarian right away.

5. Amaryllis

Origin: South America
Names: Amaryllis (common), Hippeastrum (botanical/scientific)
Max Growth (approx): Height 30 in/75 cm
Toxicity level: mild to moderate

This beautiful, bell-shaped flowers are popular as holiday gift. Other common names include Belladonna lily, St. Joseph lily, Cape Belladonna, and Naked Lady and also comes in sorts of hues, including shades of red, pink, white and orange, and combinations of these colors. Though with its alluring appearance, this plant’s leaves, stems and bulbs contains alkaloid chemically known as lycorine which can cause your drooling, vomiting, hypotension, abdominal pain, diarrhea and tremors to you feline friend.

6. Aloe vera

Origin: North Africa.
Names: Aloe V, Medicine Plant, True Aloe, Burn Plant, (common), Aloe barbadensis (botanical/scientific)
Max Growth (approx): Height 1-2 ft.
Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

One of the most famous succulent houseplant in the world, Aloe vera is a fleshy plant that is considered to be toxic to pets. The gel inside the plant that is used by people to treat for medicinal purposes contains saponin and anthaquinones which is toxic to animals. Ingestion of aloe vera can cause excessive vomiting, severe diarrhea, lethargy and can cause breakdown of red blood cells, which can be fatal if not treated immediately.

7. Weeping fig

Origin: South East Asia and Australia.
Names: Weeping Fig (common), Ficus benjamina (botanical/scientific).
Max Growth (approx): Height up to 10ft and miniature grown types 3ft.
Toxicity level: Mild

A commonly cultivated houseplant native to Asia and Australia, Weeping fig tree is an elegant plant with slender branches and dense, glossy dark leaves that is tolerant of a wide range of growing condition. It contains two poisonous substances which are ficusin and ficin which is toxic to both cats and dogs if ingested. The enzyme ficin is more serious, it can cause photosensitivity or worse, it can destroy the protein of your pet’s body. The other poisonous substance, ficusin, can cause photosensitivity, irritating the skin when exposed to the sun. Other symptoms include agitation, diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite, mouth pain, and vomiting.

8. Kalanchoe

Origin: Madagascar
Names: Flaming katy (common), Kalanchoe blossfeldiana (botanical/scientific)
Max Growth (approx): 18 inches in height.
Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

With its brightly colored flowers and attractive scalloped leaves, Kalanchoe is a flowering house plant that is common to tropical areas. This popular succulent plant is also called chandelier plant, mother of millions, and devil’s backbone. It is favoured by house plant lovers because it is easy to cultivate and tolerates wide range of conditions. However, it contains cardenolides and bufadienolides, which are both cardiac glycoside toxins. These glycosides are present in all parts of the kalanchoe plant and even in the water from the vase it was stowed. But the flowers are the most toxic part of the plant because they contain the highest concentration of cardiac glycosides. If any part of the plant might be ingested by you furry pet, it can cause abnormal heart rate, seizures, and can even death. It can also affects the gastrointestinal system and nervous system. If you think your dog has consumed any part of a kalanchoe plant, immediately seek a veterinary consulation and care.

9. Cyclamen

Origin: Middle East, Greek Islands and elsewhere.
Names: Cylamen, florist cyclamen (common), C. cyclamen (botanical/scientific).
Max Growth (approx): 12 inches tall
Toxicity level: Mild

Cyclamen, also called as Persian violet, shooting star or sowbread is a beautiful houseplant which can be found in supermarkets and retail stores in wintertime that is why this heart-shaped plant is popular during cold months. Cyclamen contains irritating saponin which is found in the entire plant but the highest concentration of the toxin is in the roots. When chewed or ingested, you may also see signs of cardiac involvement, which are increased or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, collapse, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.

10. Snake plant

Origin: Western Africa.
Names: Mother in law’s tongue and snake plant (common). Sansevieria trifasciata (botanical/scientific)
Max Growth (approx): Height 30 in (70 cm).
Toxicity level: Mild to moderate

Because cats have fur, they are more likely to rub their skin in contact to objects and that may include this plant. However a curious cat may bite the snake plant and ingest the sap. With its spear-like appearance and veriegated leaves which is perfect for home decorations, the snake plant alaso known as mother-in-law’s tongue, good luck plant, or viper’s bowstring hemp is indeed toxic to cats and dogs. It contains mild toxins in the form of saponins and organic acids. Symptoms, which are usually mild to moderate, include drooling, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Beside from those plants stated which can harm you furry best friend, there are also other animal-safe plants out there that can add a classy, jungle-like atmosphere to your home. Here are some pet-friendly lovely plants:

• Majestic Palm
• Maidenhair Fern
• Spider Plant
• Orchids
• Staghorn Ferns
• Bamboo
• Cast Iron Plant
• Bromeliad

If you already have a collection of those toxic plants placed on your living room, one technique for distancing your pets away from the potential danger is to grow pet grass. Once mature, place the grass near your pet’s food bowl and reinforce positive behavior. A pet herb garden is another option, with the thinking being that some pets will instinctively eat herbs that have medicinal value, such as a peppermint to settle an upset tummy. Another option is buying a pet-safe, bitter tasting plant spray to deter them from nibbling.