Guest post by Mike Halligan, Founder of Scratch Dog Food.
Plants can be difficult housemates for dogs! As much as we love them both, they don’t always love each other. There are certain indoor plants that can make dogs sick or irritate their skin, and in turn, dogs aren’t always the best pals to plants: all the knocking and chewing can make it hard for them to grow. The experts at Scratch Dog Food have teamed up with The Plant Society to share their top tips for helping your plants and dogs get along:
Pick dog-friendly plants!
While some plants can be toxic to pets, the great news is that there are many plants that are good for them. A favourite of the team at The Plant Society is the Wax Plant (Hoya). With pretty star shaped flowers and glossy foliage, they’re a great fit for many homes. If you prefer flowers, the sweet-smelling African Violets (Saintpaulia) create a lovely ambiance for your home and pets. The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum) is known for being low-maintenance and has added benefits of removing toxins from the air, supporting a healthy environment for you and your dog. For something more stylish, try a Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata) or Areca Palms (Dypsis Lutescens). Both are attractive and tough to withstand the odd bump or bite.
…and avoid these ones.
There are several popular plant varieties that should be kept out of any dog’s home. Zanzibar Gems (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum) and Rubber Plants (Ficus elastica) are all on the “watch out” list. While Boston Ferns and Areca Palms are fine, similar looking varieties can be very toxic.
Telling the difference between a good option and a dangerous one can be confusing, so when bringing home a new plant always double check whether or not it is safe by asking your plant store.
Pet-proof your plants.
Taking note of your pet’s behaviour around plants should help to guide your indoor plant selection. If you are the owner of an enthusiastic dog with lots of energy, it may become bored in your household and turn its attention to your greenery. Ensuring your dog has a range of physical and mental challenges in your home and a variety of toys to keep them busy and happy will minimise their focus on your precious houseplants. If they still find energy to destroy your green efforts, even after the most exhausting workouts, sometimes it’s quicker and easier to change the plant’s location.
Pet-friendly plant care.
Responsible gardening doesn’t stop when you’ve selected the lowest-risk plant species and distracted your dog from destroying it. You need to ensure that your continued plant care is equally considered. Treat your plants with organic products that are safe around your pets. This also applies to cleaning products; ensure you double check they won’t make any dogs or plants sick.
Plants and dogs can live in harmony, so make sure you monitor your pets and do what’s right for your household. And remember to feed your dog Scratch, not plants!
To learn more about pet-friendly houseplants, and Scratch Dog Food, visit scratchpetfood.com.au
