Things You Should Know About Snake Plants And Dogs

Last Updated on February 5, 2022 by Griselda M.

Want to know something about snake plants and dogs? Read on and learn a few things about why you should be more careful when planting snake plants when you have pets.

When you look around your house, you might think that it is pet-proof. You have a gate barricading the stairwell, taped all sharp corners, and hidden exposed electrical lines such as extension lines, outlets, and gadget cords.

But how about the snake plant in the corner of your home? While this snake plant looks harmless and won’t bite, we’ve got to warn you that this could be a sneaky, stealthy culprit in your home. Popularly known as the Mother-in-Law’s tongue, snake plants contain a poisonous sap that could be dangerous to your dog when intoxicated.

Are Snake Plants Toxic To Dogs? 

There’s only one thing that comes to mind when you think about snake plants and dogs – the two should never come together. If you’re a succulent mom and a fur mom at the same, you should find a way to keep your pets away from these plants. While dogs don’t eat succulents, certain dog breeds could be naughty enough to love playing with plants.

In case your dog has accidentally eaten a snake plant, you may find your dog suffering from the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• excessive drooling
• Irritation and swelling around the mouth
• Stomach pain
• Depression

Is Snake Plant Dog Safe?

Brilliant bird’s home, mother-in-law’s tongue, and best of luck plant are a few extra names that the famous snake plant is known as. Its logical name is Sansevieria trifasciata. This plant is a force to be reckoned with among indoor plants because of its notions and air sanitization benefits. Subsequently, many homes in the US will have these plants, however, they are poisonous for canines.

The air sanitizing snake plant isn’t alright for your pet. They contain a poisonous compound named saponin, which is harmful to canines. The two canines and felines ought to be avoided snake plants. On the off chance that your canine consumes any piece of the snake plant, it can cause gastrointestinal issues like spewing, slobbering, sickness, and runs.

Generally, snake plant poisoning will in general be gentle however there are extreme situations where it prompts burst platelets in canines. Consequently, it is vital to visit the vet at the earliest hints of snake plant harming. Delay in treatment can forestall the side effects, prompting longer recuperation periods.

Safety Tips For Snake Plants And Dogs

So are snake plants poisonous? The quick answer is yes. To protect your pet dogs from snake plant poisoning, we have gathered some simple strategies you can follow. 

• Keep your snake plants well away from your dog’s reach and other pets. Snake plants are sun-loving ornaments, so you can see most of them are planted in the outdoor landscape. They make gardens greener and livelier. But if you decide to keep them indoors, you can put them somewhere that is hard to reach by your dog. This is true especially if you have a very playful dog.
• Train your dog not to play with plants. It is possible to outsmart your pets and protect them by training them to stay away from your snake plants. It can start with a little treat or you can watch dog training videos to help you learn some techniques on how to coach your dog. Focus on setting boundaries and using non-verbal communication or cues to command your dog.
• Be creative. A smart way to keep your dog safe from snake plants without getting rid of the latter is to redecorate your home. Depending on the size of your pet, you can have a dedicated space for your plants such as on top of your shelves or countertops, or anywhere they cannot reach them. 
• Leash train your pet r at least put them in the cage when you are out somewhere. Don’t let your dog play around the house while you’re away. The next thing you know, they could be munching the leaves of your precious snake plants.
• Spray natural repellent on your plant. We all know that dogs have a very strong smell and they won’t like going near something that smells foreign to them.
• Make sure you warn your kids about the repellent. A small amount of liquid from citrus fruits or vinegar, for example, can be sprayed on the leaves of your snake plants.

Snake Plant And Dogs: Are There Any Plants That Are Toxic To Dogs?

Many other plants are toxic to dogs. If you are an avid planter, you should research a little more about plants. The following are some other plants that you should be careful of when you have dogs in the home. 

1. Sago Palm
2. Tulips
3. Lily of the Valley. iStock.com/oluolu3
4. Oleander
5. Philodendrons
6. Rhododendron
7. Dieffenbachia
8. Japanese Yews

A popular plant that has insoluble calcium oxalates and should be kept far away from your pet is the fiddle leaf fig. Consuming the leaves of this plant will cause severe intestinal upset in your dog and skin issues. You should also be careful of the Sago Palm. It contains cycasin, which is not only harmful to dogs but also to humans.

On the other hand, the toxicity level of snake plants can be mild to moderate. It all depends on how much your dog has ingested. If your dog has only eaten a very small part of the snake plant’s leaf, it might not greatly affect your dog. 

Snake plants eaten in large quantities can cause severe effects on your fur baby. Before anything gets any serious, you have to take your pet to the vet. Are all pets affected by the snake plants? Although sake plants poisoning is only mild for some pets, it can still cause stomach upset. Snake plants can also be poisonous to birds and cats.

Read more about Is Sansevieria Poisonous to Cats?