Pet Safety and Ambius Plant: A Complete Guide for Pet Owners

As a pet parent, ensuring the safety of your furry friends is one of your top priorities. However, when you have houseplants at home, pet safety can become a concern. Some popular houseplants like the Ambius plant are toxic to pets if ingested. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss pet safety tips regarding the Ambius plant and other poisonous plants to help you create a safe environment for your pets.

Understanding the Ambius Plant (Golden Pothos or Devil’s Ivy)

The Ambius plant, scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, is also called Devil’s Ivy or Golden Pothos. This vine plant has long cascading stems with heart-shaped green leaves that can grow up to 30 feet. It is native to Southeast Asia and is a popular houseplant in many homes and offices due to its air-purifying benefits and easy maintenance.

However, the Ambius plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to pets, especially cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, and even death in rare cases The alluring trailing vines may also tempt pets to play with or chew on the leaves and stems

Signs of Ambius Plant Poisoning in Pets

As a pet owner being aware of the signs of Ambius plant poisoning can help you act promptly in case of any exposure. Here are some common symptoms

• Excessive drooling
• Swelling or irritation of mouth and tongue
• Vomiting
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Diarrhea

If you notice any of these symptoms, take your pet to the vet immediately Timely treatment can prevent complications.

Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe from The Ambius Plant

Here are some simple tips to ensure your pets stay safe if you have an Ambius plant at home:

• Keep it out of reach: Place the Ambius plant on high shelves or hang it in elevated baskets where your pets can’t access it.

• Train your pets: Discourage chewing on or playing with the plant. Reward them when they avoid the plant.

• Trim long vines: Prune any extra-long vines to restrict reach.

• Use pet deterrents: Sprinkle lemon peels or pet-safe deterrent sprays around the Ambius plant.

• Supervise playtime: Keep an eye on pets when they are near the toxic plant.

• Consider non-toxic alternatives: Opt for pet-safe plants like the spider plant, prayer plant, or pilea peperomioides.

Other Common Houseplants Poisonous To Pets

Along with the Ambius plant, many popular houseplants can also be toxic for dogs and cats if ingested. Here are some other plants to watch out for:

Lilies

True lilies like the tiger lily, Asian lily, and daylily cause kidney failure in cats. Even small ingestions are extremely dangerous.

Sago Palm

The sago palm’s toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, liver failure, and potentially death in dogs and cats.

Pothos

Like the Ambius plant, the common golden and marble queen pothos contain insoluble calcium oxalates.

Snake Plant

Also called the mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant is another common houseplant toxic to pets.

Aloe Vera

The gel and latex of aloe vera plants can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats.

Azalea

Azaleas contain grayanotoxins that affect the digestive and nervous systems of pets.

Oleander

Extremely poisonous, oleanders can cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, and even sudden death in pets.

Pet-Safe Houseplants You Can Safely Keep At Home

While some popular houseplants are toxic for furry friends, many perfectly safe options exist too. Here are some beautiful pet-friendly houseplants to consider:

• Spider plant
• Boston fern
• Orchids
• Prayer plant
• Pilea peperomioides
• Parlor palm
• Ponytail palm
• Pothos (only ‘Pearls and Jade’ variety)
• Christmas cactus
• Air plants
• African violet

These non-toxic plants are safer to grow around pets. But do supervise chewing or ingestion.

Pet-Proofing Your Garden Against Toxic Plants

Protect your pets from poisonous plants when they are outdoors too. Some ways to pet-proof your garden include:

• Research toxicity: Identify and remove any highly toxic plants from your garden like lilies, oleander, azaleas, sago palms etc.

• Use pet-friendly plants: Opt for non-toxic, pet-safe flowers, shrubs, trees, herbs, and veggies.

• Use enclosures: Build a fence around toxic garden areas. You can also use covered beds to restrict access.

• Deter access: Use heavy mulch or thorny plants around toxic specimens to deter pets.

• Avoid fertilizers/pesticides: Choose organic gardening products that won’t make your pet sick if ingested.

What To Do If Your Pet Ingests A Poisonous Plant

In case you suspect plant poisoning, call your vet or the Pet Poison Helpline immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to manifest. Timely action is crucial. Here are some steps to follow:

• Call the vet/poison control right away if ingestion is witnessed or suspected.

• Note details about the plant ingested and take photos if possible.

• Follow vet’s instructions about making your pet vomit or not. Never induce vomiting unless told to do so.

• Watch for concerning symptoms like drooling, diarrhea or difficulty breathing. Call emergency vet services if observed.

• Take your pet to the vet even if no symptoms are visible yet. Internal damage risks exist.

• Bring along any plant parts, vomit samples, packaging etc. to help identify toxicity.

With some care and vigilance, you can maintain a safe environment for your beloved pets despite having houseplants or an outdoor garden. Follow these tips and always supervise your pets around plants. Stay informed about poisonous plants and quickly address any exposures. Let your pets enjoy all the benefits of plants without safety risks.