Here's my gardening companion, Chance.

Some years ago when my wife and I had cats, one of our more mischievous felines was a small male named Cooper. We used to call Cooper the “Vomit Comet.” Cooper liked playing with one of our English Ivy houseplants. Without warning the tranquil stillness of our home would suddenly be disrupted by a hideous cat-vomiting sound, followed by the blurry flash of what looked like a cat speeding down the hallway. When we’d go to the scene of the crime, the Vomit Comet would be long gone, hiding somewhere in the basement.

Cooper may have used up several of his nine lives eating houseplants, but I am happy to say that he did survive and lived to a ripe old age. It helped, no doubt, that we finally figured out that certain plants and our cats were not compatible, so we moved the ivy to a spot where Cooper could not chew on it any more.

The experience did point out to me the importance of making our homes and plants “pet-friendly.” Common sense prevails here. Once we know which plants can be harmful (see list below!), we either need to get them out of reach of our companions or get rid of them.

The other common sense tip is to know what to do if one of your pets does eat a poisonous plant. In many cases, the symptoms will be similar to our experience with Cooper: an unfriendly deposit left somewhere in your home. Have plenty of paper towels and rug cleaner on hand!

If it looks like you have a serious situation on your hands, you might consider calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Their number is (888) 426-4435. Currently they charge $65 for helping you save your pet, but no doubt it is a small price to pay to save a cherished friend.

They also suggest that pet owners have an emergency first aid kit on hand. Before applying first aid, you should first check with your vet or with ASPCA about how to help your pet. Some of the items they recommend for the kit include:

• A fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP (to induce vomiting)
• A turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe (to administer peroxide)
• Saline eye solution
• Artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing)
• Mild grease-cutting dish washing liquid (for bathing an animal after skin contamination)
• Forceps (to remove stingers)
• A muzzle (to protect against fear- or excitement-induced biting)
• A can of your pet’s favorite wet food
• A  pet carrier

A visit to their web site to learn more about animal poisoning is well worth the time. In addition to plant poisoning, they also discuss the hazards of household cleaning items, medications, and other items around the house that might harm your pet. You can find ASPCA’s information about animal poisoning here.

Here is my list of safe and unsafe plants for pets. This is not meant to be comprehensive but rather a list of the more common plants found in homes. If you have a plant that pets can access that is not listed here, my advice is to ask your vet for more information.

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Tim Lundie, Editor

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