Are Pothos Plants Pet Friendly?
Pothos plants are beautiful trailing houseplants native to French Polynesia. These popular houseplants add a jungle feel to any room but may cause problems for inquisitive pets. In this article, I’ll find out whether pothos plants are pet friendly.
Are Pothos Plants Pet Friendly?
According to the ASPCA (American Society for the Protection of Animals), golden pothos plants are mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Other plants commonly called pothos plants, such as satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus), are also toxic to dogs and cats. Despite being toxic, pothos plants don’t usually cause serious health problems.
What Effects Do Pothos Plants Have On Pets?
Due to being mildly toxic, pothos plants typically cause minor gastronomic discomfort for cats and dogs. This is due to the calcium oxalates present in pothos plants. These crystals are designed to cause discomfort to grazing animals, preventing them from eating the pothos plant.
If your pet eats part of a pothos plant, it will usually experience symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting. These symptoms should pass pretty quickly. However, if your pet displays symptoms for several hours, it’s important to have them checked by a veterinarian.
If you think your pet has eaten a pothos plant, look out for these symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Mouth irritation
- Excessive drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Problems with swallowing
What to Do if Your Pet Consumes a Pothos Plant
Monitor your pet closely if you suspect it has eaten part of a pothos plant. Keep an eye out for symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive drooling. Ensure your pet drinks plenty of water to help keep them hydrated.
In most cases, the symptoms should pass within a couple of hours without causing severe harm. However, if your pet continues to experience symptoms, contact a veterinarian for advice. If necessary, arrange an emergency appointment for your pet.
How to Keep Pets Away From Pothos Plants
Keeping your pets and pothos plants separate helps them stay healthy and happy. Position your pothos plants in locations your pet can’t access. This is especially important for inquisitive puppies or kittens.
If you can, try and train your pet to ignore pothos plants or avoid rooms that contain your plants. Put your pothos plants in a high place your pet can’t reach. This also stops your pets from knocking your pothos plants over and damaging them.
If your climate allows you to grow pothos plants outdoors, make sure to keep them away from your pets. Use barriers like fences to separate your pothos plants from curious pets. Alternatively, you can use companion plants that use a strong, pungent smell to deter your pet from particular areas.
About Pothos Plants
Pothos plants are tropical or subtropical climbing vines from the arum family (Araceae). There are several types of pothos plants, with golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) being the most common. Golden pothos is native to the island of Moorea in French Polynesia.
Pothos plants are evergreen vines that climb nearby surfaces using aerial roots. These vines can also trail, creating a cascade of foliage. Pothos plants have alternate, heart-shaped leaves that can sometimes be glossy or variegated.
These gorgeous fast-growing vines are usually grown as houseplants in temperate climates. However, pothos plants can be grown outdoors in warm, humid environments in USDA Zones 10 to 12. Pothos plants are easy to grow if they get plenty of bright, indirect light.
Are Pothos Plants Pet Friendly FAQs:
Are Pothos Plants Safe for Pets?
Pothos plants are not safe for pets because these climbing vines are mildly toxic to both dogs and cats. If ingested, pothos plants can cause stomach discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting, and excessive drooling. Keep your pets away from your pothos plants at all times.
Can I Have a Pothos with a Cat?
Pothos plants are mildly toxic to cats. If you do still want to have a pothos plant, position it somewhere that your cat can’t reach.
What if I Think My Dog Ate Pothos?
If you think your dog ate part of a pothos plant, keep an eye on your pet. They may experience diarrhea and vomiting. If these symptoms persist, call your veterinarian and book an emergency appointment.
Wrapping Up
Pothos plants are mildly toxic to common pets such as dogs and cats. Ingestion of pothos plants causes symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, excessive drooling, and mouth irritation. If you think your pet has eaten a pothos plant, monitor them carefully and call a veterinarian if necessary.
For more see our in-depth guides to Monstera vs Pothos plants, common causes of pothos plants dropping leaves, and everything you need to know about repotting pothos plants.