Are rabbits poisoned by Monstera Deliciosa? Yes.
Are monsteras suitable for pets?
Some of your indoor plants are just not safe if you have pets or young children, which is a sad but inevitable realization in the road of becoming a plant parent. While many common genera of houseplants are stunning to look at, many of them are moderately or seriously hazardous. Still others, when handled excessively, can irritate the skin.
The good news is that with enough preparation, you can determine which dangerous houseplants to stay away from, evaluate the risk to your family and pets, and still enjoy a lively and stunningly green collection of indoor plants.
Here are 10 toxic houseplants that, while we love them, should be used with caution if your children or pets will have access to them. A word of clarity, though, is in need before we proceed: “toxic is a relative term, and the severity of a reaction will depend largely on the level of exposure (amount consumed), which plant species, and the specifics of your pet. Some poisonous houseplants cause short-lived, acute symptoms (such as vomiting). Some can have more serious, life-threatening effects if swallowed in excess, while others only irritate the skin. This list is by no means intended to be comprehensive, so we strongly advise conducting additional research (ASPCA has a great database for pet owners).
Poisonous Houseplants for Pet Owners and Parents to Avoid
- Starting with one of the biggest players, Philodendron (and Monstera) is a vast genus of tropical plants that is particularly well-liked for usage inside because of its great variety of growing habits, leaf shapes, and colors. Plants in this genus are poisonous to dogs and cats as well as somewhat toxic to humans. Oral irritation, soreness and swelling in the mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and trouble swallowing are all signs of exposure.
What indoor plants are secure for rabbits?
Rabbits can eat bell flowers, commonly known as campanula, without getting sick. All portions of a bell flower plant, like many other plants on this list, are palatable to rabbits, however the leaves are marginally more nutrient-dense.
These flowers are so lovely that you might not want your rabbit to get a hold of them, whether you plant them in a garden or store them in pots indoors. However, it’s still comforting to know that if your rabbit knocks the pot over and starts munching, nothing bad will happen (at least not to your rabbit).
Willow
Toys for rabbits frequently contain willow tree wood. This kind of wood is entirely safe, and rabbits frequently find it to be a lot of fun to chew on. Did you know, though, that rabbits may safely eat the other portions of willow trees as well? This contains both the delectable leaves and the catkins, or clusters of flower flowers.
Even better, unlike many other types of wood, willow tree trimmings don’t require drying. Fallen twigs and branches can provide for a tasty and fresh feast for rabbits. To ensure that the branches are free of insects, you should simply briefly rinse them off in the sink or shower.
Jasmine
Rabbits are not known to be harmed by true jasmine plants. Flowers, leaves, and stems are all entirely edible and safe for rabbits. Even while you might wish to keep your rabbit away to prevent them from devouring your exquisite jasmine plant in a container, you can rest certain that it won’t hurt your pet.
Make sure you don’t have a false jasmine plant, though. These plants, often known as yellow jasmine or carolina jasmine, are poisonous to rabbits. These plants resemble true jasmine, however they are not related and have yellow blossoms instead.
Nasturtium
Rabbits love to eat nasturtium blooms because they are delicious. These blooms are incredibly lovely, with brilliant, warm hues. Rabbits can eat the entire plant, including the flowers, leaves, stems, and even the seeds. These flowers are so delectable that maybe even people may like them!
Although nasturtiums often grow in bushes, they can also spread out like vines along a wire or fence. In fact, that may be the best scenario since your rabbit can get part of the sweet blooms near the vine’s base without consuming them all.
Hollyhock
Hollyhocks are attractive flowers that rabbits may consume without any problems. Anecdotally, young hollyhock shoots appear to be especially vulnerable to eating by wild rabbits. They can quickly consume a whole plant. Despite the fact that this is bad news for any flowers you are trying to grow, it means that your domestic rabbits are safe to eat these mouthwatering blooms without fear of becoming poisoned.
Cotton
Because rabbits prefer to chew on clothing, I added cotton on this list to ease your concerns. If you have any cotton trees or plants, your rabbit can safely nibble on and consume them. However, it’s more likely that the cotton you have in your home comes from clothes and blankets. Make an effort to make sure they are made of natural fibers, like cotton, if you are concerned that your rabbit will chew on items in your home.
Pot marigolds
Rabbits can safely consume pot marigolds. These enormous, vivid orange or yellow flowers, sometimes known as english marigolds, can be grown outdoors. They may occupy space in an outdoor garden as well. You may relax knowing that these plants won’t hurt your rabbit whether you let it eat some or not.
However, two other varieties of marigold are poisonous to rabbits. French marigolds, sometimes known as african marigolds, and marsh marigolds are both somewhat hazardous and shouldn’t be given to rabbits. The french marigolds are a little less dangerous and are probably only going to irritate the skin somewhat, but it’s best to be safe and keep them away from rabbits.
Lavender
One of the plants that rabbits can eat without any problems is lavender. You can give your rabbit lavender fresh or even dried, letting it forage for the delectable lavender bits. According to some data, lavender may even have a calming effect on rabbits, allowing them to relax and unwind.
Even though lavender is beneficial and harmless for rabbits, many of them don’t particularly enjoy it. This plant is frequently left alone in gardens, even if rabbits can get to it. The potent aroma and scratchy texture of lavender are probably to blame for this. But once in a while, you’ll come across a rabbit that doesn’t care what it eats and is content to consume lavender.
Nettle
Both dead and stinging nettle are safe for rabbits to consume. This covers the stems, leaves, and flowers. However, considering that it can really result in a rash on people, you might not want to go out and gather stinging nettle for your rabbit. However, it’s completely harmless for rabbits and doesn’t seem to irritate their skin in any way.
Rabbits should not consume horse nettle, also known as bull nettle, as it is a separate kind of plant. This unrelated species of nettle has large quantities of the compound solanine. Rabbits may experience digestive problems if they consume it, especially if it is consumed in big quantities. Horse nettle can be harmful to rabbits in all of its components, but the berries and leaves should be avoided in particular.
Chamomile
The herb chamomile is perfectly safe for rabbits to consume. It might possibly possess certain therapeutic qualities that could soothe a rabbit. Both fresh and dried chamomile are edible to rabbits, and they frequently find it to be a particularly tasty treat.
You can actually let your rabbit sip some chamomile herbal tea if you have any on hand. So that your rabbit’s mouth isn’t burned, let the tea cool. Naturally, before administering any, make sure there are no components that are harmful to rabbits. Herbal teas don’t include any genuine tea, whereas regular tea prepared with actual tea leaves shouldn’t be given to rabbits due to the caffeine content.
Clover
For rabbits, clover is a fantastic reward. They can consume the sprouts as well as the stalks, leaves, and flowers. They will definitely eat any clover that grows in your rabbit run. This includes all varieties of clover, including red, white, wild, yellow, and sweet varieties.
However, you should keep the amount of clover you offer your rabbit to a minimum. Clover is a legume plant, similar to alfalfa hay. It contains a lot of protein and eating a lot of it may irritate your stomach or make you gain a lot of weight. Therefore, it’s best to give your rabbit clover only occasionally as a tasty treat.
Grass
It’s quite fine to let your rabbit consume as much grass as they choose from your lawn. Due to its high fiber content, it is very beneficial for them and resembles the daily hay you feed your rabbit (with the exception that it isn’t dried). Just remember to keep hazardous pesticides and fertilizers away from your grass.
For your rabbit’s enjoyment, you might try cultivating several grass varieties. If you live in an apartment and want to give your rabbit some fresh grass, this might be useful. For instance, I occasionally cultivate some wheatgrass to give to my bunny as a tasty treat.
Are rabbits hazardous to plants?
Given our environment, there are a variety of hazardous plants that can be used in the garden. Favorite plants that grow from bulbs should be kept out of regions where rabbits graze, including snowdrops, hyacinths (especially grape hyacinths), bluebells, crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and any other bulb-grown plant. Also common garden plants that are poisonous are buttercups, foxgloves, primrose, delphiniums/larkspur, columbine (aquilegia), hellebore, poppy, periwinkle, monkshood, nightshade, ivy, privet, holly, and yew. If these are already growing, get rid of them or make sure your rabbits can’t access them.
Is Monstera toxic to handle?
such a rule
Not simply for poison ivy, “Leaves of three, let it be!” Poison oak, a closely related species, with rounder, lobed leaves that resemble oak leaves and can come in groups of three or five. All plant parts, including the leaves, stem, roots, and flowers, contain an oil called urushiol that can bind to the skin in just a minute. If you suspect contact, wash all of your gardening equipment because it can also stick to clothing and tools. Although its pointed-oval leaflets are distributed in groupings of seven or thirteen, poison sumac belongs to the same family.
Stinging Nettles
More than two dozen chemical compounds that are present in stinging nettles can make skin swell, itch, burn, and develop blisters that can last up to 12 hours. This plant has fine hairs all over and pointy, jagged leaves that act as tiny needles to deliver the toxins to anyone who touches it. It can grow to about 6 feet tall.
Hyacinth Bulbs
Numerous types of bulbs, such as hyacinths, elephant ears, tulips, daffodils, and buttercups, might irritate certain people’s skin. Your hands may become irritated and red after touching them without gloves. When I worked at a greenhouse, I usually wore gloves, but after planting hyacinth bulbs, I once touched my eye, and it felt itchy and nasty.
Philodendron and Monstera Deliciosa
Popular houseplants include the philodendron, monstera deliciosa, caladium, dumbcane, and peace lily, all of which are members of the Araceae (arum) family. However: Calcium oxalate crystals on their stems and leaves are poisonous. Although they won’t damage your hands, if you touch your lips, mouth, or tongue after touching the plant, they may sting or irritate you. At its worst, Myers explains, it can feel as though your larynx is paralyzed. It may be beneficial to use gloves or wash your hands after handling these plants.
Poinsettia
Poinsettias can be harmful to humans as well as animals if consumed. They can irritate human skin, along with other members of the Euphorbia family (including pencil trees and spurges). Fortunately, the majority of people simply feel slight annoyance. Additionally, while it is untrue that eating poinsettias can make you sick, it is still possible.
English Ivy
English ivy, which grows on the walls of many older homes, doesn’t bother everyone. However, if you have an allergy to it, you should prepare for redness, itching, and possibly even small blisters after touching it. The first time you encounter it, you might not respond, but after the second exposure, your body will become sensitive.
Is the Monstera Deliciosa plant animal-friendly?
Calcium oxalate crystals, which the Monstera Deliciosa plant possesses, are extremely harmful to animals, including cats. So kindly keep your animals away from it.
Is the Monstera Deliciosa plant edible?
Please do not eat the majority of Monstera Deliciosa houseplant and ornamental plant varieties. Before buying, kindly confirm with your neighborhood vendor that it is available in edible form.
What are the symptoms of Monstera Deliciosa plant poisoning cats?
Your cat may exhibit severe oral cavity irritation and burning, profuse drooling, and vomiting in the event of Monstera Deliciosa plant poisoning.
Suppose my dog consumes some Monstera?
Your dog may paw at their mouth or otherwise show signs of facial pain if they consume a piece of a monstera plant. Calcium oxalate crystals in a dog’s mouth can inflict pain, irritation, swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat, as well as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, trouble swallowing, excessive drooling, and choking.
Though each of these signs of poisoning can be concerning, the last one is particularly risky. Your dog may become unable to breathe if the swelling is too severe, prompting an urgent trip to the clinic.
How well your dog’s body can process eating a part of a monstera may depend on factors like age, size, and any underlying medical issues. Thankfully, pets usually do not die after consuming a monstera plant. A dog that has consumed or bit into a portion of a monstera plant, nevertheless, needs to be properly watched for any severe adverse reactions, such as oral discomfort that intensifies.
In order to try and ease the pain or wash out some of the crystals, it is also a good idea to encourage your pet to drink some water. However, this is unlikely to completely relieve their discomfort.
It is also OK to take a dog who has consumed monstera to the doctor as a preventative step, even if it appears that they did not consume much of the plant. Your veterinarian will probably be able to assist your dog manage the pain even if the reaction is not life-threatening.
You might also call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855)764-7661 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888)426-4425 for help and guidance, but it’s crucial to know that both programs charge $75 for a consultation.
As was already indicated, your dog won’t likely continue chewing on the plant after taking an exploratory bite because of the discomfort the calcium oxalate crystals will cause. Once a dog has experienced the reaction, they are unlikely to want to try to eat the plant again. The reaction sets in quickly (approximately 30 seconds), so they are likely to link cause and effect.
To be cautious, it is generally a good idea to relocate the monstera plant out of your dog’s reach even if he has already bitten a plant in the past and is unlikely to try to get at it again.