ADDING plants to your home is a great way to add some colour and texture, but there are some you should avoid if you have pets.
Your furry friends could get seriously ill from the plants, so it’s vital to avoid the trendy ones, no matter how good they might look.
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This comes after a homeware brand looked at the top houseplants on Instagram and looked at how many of them are toxic to pets.
“Choosing how to decorate and design your home can be a really personal task, with every decision reflecting your interests and lifestyle,” Tony Gilbert from RiversWallArt.com told the Mirror.
“These findings reveal which plants are the most visually appealing, according to social media users, and can offer inspiration for those looking to style their space.”
The first plant on the list is Aloe vera, with millions of interior lovers opting to have the plant in their home.
Partly known for its incredible healing properties for humans, the green plant can actually be toxic for pets and cause vomiting, tremors and diarrhoea.
Agave takes the second spot on the list as it can cause symptoms like mouth irritation and stomach upset if your pooch decides to dig in.
Another trendy but potentially dangerous plant is the popular Snake Plant.
Despite having loads of pros for humans, including air-purifying, the snake plant is a big no-no for pet lovers.
If ingested it could lead to nausea, lethargy and vomiting for both cats and dogs.
Similarly, the String of Pearls plant can be spotted in the homes of influencers all over Instagram, but the truth is it can cause diarrhoea, skin irritation and vomiting for your pets.
Of course, you can still have the plant in your home if it’s kept well out of reach from your pets.
Lastly, pet owners should be cautious of the Jade Plant, according to the pros.
The bloom can lead to depression and even a loss of coordination for your pets.
“If you share your home with a dog or cat, opting for pet-safe plants or even plant-themed wall art can give you the same lush, green aesthetic without putting your furry friend at risk,” Tony said.
Vet Dr. Rachel Siu reveals the 5 dogs she’d never own
By Marsha O’Mahony
HUSKY
Beautiful, intelligent, and super-active, like a Border Collie, a Husky is a working dog and likes to keep busy.
If you lead a sedentary life, then this guy is not for you, and you are not for him.
It should be no surprise that Huskies love the cold – look at that coat of fur. So, living in 110 degrees in Texas is pretty grim for these dogs.
DACHSHUND
Adorable, cute, funny, and they can be very expensive.
The basic physiology of these sausage dogs does them no favours. “Because of their long backs, they’re really prone to intervertebral disc disease,” said Dr. Rachel.
You would be wise to keep a pot of money aside just in case because back surgery is likely to be expensive.
GREAT DANE
These lolloping, loving, and gregarious dogs are “goofballs.”
But they have short lifespans, developing health issues early on in life. Prepare yourself for heartbreak.
DOODLE
These are the current “it” dog, they are everywhere. They can be mixed with pretty much any other breed.
Their popularity has soared in recent years, with pet owners attracted to their low maintenance and hypoallergenic qualities.
But this couldn’t be further from the truth, said our vet.
“These dogs are often mixed with shedding dogs so they do shed and they also need grooming very frequently,” she wrote.
Their temperament is unpredictable and she has seen some that are wonderful to work with and others who have serious behavioral problems.
BULLDOGS
These guys are adorable but they have serious respiratory problems. Genetics are not on the side of any brachycephalic dog.
“I just would not own them,” she said. “They’re just not a healthy breed. They struggle to breathe with their smooshed faces.”
Like the Dachshund, they also suffer from intervertebral disc disease.
