Snake plant, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue or golden bird’s nest, is a flowering plant belonging to the Asparagaceae family. Native to West Africa, it is a popular ornamental plant that is great in low light and easy to look after. Snake plants can be a good way to enhance the overall aesthetic of your house. But things are not as simple when you are a dog owner (sigh!). What if your furry friend takes a big bite of the exotic plant? Is snake plant toxic to dogs? Can dogs eat snake plants without any health concerns?
Can dogs eat snake plants?
Snake plants are toxic for dogs to ingest. Eating a small amount can cause an upset stomach in pooches. A toxin called saponin is present in snake plants which cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Consuming an excessive quantity can lead to ruptured blood cells in dogs, proving fatal.
Saponin is a natural fungicide and insecticide produced by several plants as a defense mechanism. The chemical is found in every part of the snake plant ranging from the stem to the leaves. This makes snake plants toxic to dogs.
Always keep snake plants out of your dog’s reach. The better option is to avoid getting any for your furry companion’s safety.
What happens if a dog eats snake plants?
Although the saponin in snake plants makes them extremely bitter, there is a good chance your dog will still taste them out. This is because dogs are highly interested. They will eat things out of sheer curiosity.
So, what happens if the curious furball ingests the resilient plant? The symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on the amount consumed. Health complications that can occur in dogs due to snake plant ingestion include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
- Excessive drooling
- Swollen tongue or throat
- Ruptured blood cells
What to do if a dog eats snake plants?
The symptoms of snake plant poisoning can be mild or severe depending on the quantity eaten by the pooch. However, regardless of the volume ingested by the dog, you should consult a veterinarian.
If your dog consumed a small amount, the dog would recover in 1-2 days after appropriate treatment. But, swallowing a large amount can cause severe health issues requiring emergency treatment and a long recovery time.
How to prevent a dog from eating snake plants?
To prevent a dog from eating snake plants, you need to keep them out of its reach. Place the plants on high countertops inaccessible to the pooch. If kept in a room, make sure to close the doors before leaving, so the dog doesn’t sneak in and eat the plant. Furthermore, you can spray citrus juice on snake plants which will act as a repellent keeping the dog away from the plant.
If none of these methods work for you, you should get rid of the mother-in-law’s tongue. You can look for other plants or even artificial ones that are not harmful to dogs.
What other houseplants are toxic to dogs?
Besides snake plants, some other houseplants that are hazardous for dogs include:
- Azaleas
- Tulips
- Sag palm
- Alocasia
- Weeping fig
- Oleander
- Lilies
Related FAQs to snake plants and dogs!
What to do if your dog eats a poisonous plant?
If your dog consumes a toxic plant, take the plant away from the dog’s reach. Consult a veterinarian immediately as your dog may require emergency treatment. The sooner you take the pooch to the vet, the better it would be.
Can a snake plant kill a dog?
Snake plants will not immediately kill a dog, but they can be fatal. Consuming a small amount of snake plant will cause symptoms like a stomach disorder in pooches. However, excess ingestion can be dangerous for the pooch, leading to ruptured blood cells.
Will dogs eat poisonous plants?
Yes, dogs would eat toxic plants if they stumble upon them. Even if the plant is bitter or distasteful, the canine will not mind munching on it solely out of curiosity.
Is Sansevieria toxic to dogs?
Sansevieria is another name for snake plant which is toxic to dogs. Other common names for snake plants are mother in law’s tongue, viper’s bowstring hemp, golden bird’s nest, and Saint George’s sword.
Concluding my thoughts on feeding snake plants to dogs!
Snake plants are a popular decorative choice in offices and homes. Their easy maintenance and air purifying abilities make them a great indoor plant. But snake plants and dogs don’t go along well as snake plants are toxic to them.
Depending on how much the dog ate, snake plants can cause mild or even serious health issues. Consult a vet immediately if your dog ingested snake plants.
While you can make the plants unreachable to the pooch, it’s best to avoid buying snake plants altogether to keep your furball safe.
