Create a pet-friendly home

Some common cleaning products can be terribly toxic to pets. Try and get your chores done while they're not around – and make sure the following products are safely stored out of harm’s way:

• Bleach
• Dishwasher tablets
• Laundry detergents
• Oven cleaner

Not all cleaning products will put your four-legged friend in danger. There are plenty of pet-safe cleaning products and brands available from most large supermarkets.

And you could also give natural and homemade cleaning products a go, for example:

• Castile soap
• Lemon juice
• White vinegar

You could also use bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) if you’ve only got cats or dogs – but this can be dangerous for rabbits.

Looking to spruce up your garden or home with Instagrammable plants and flowers? Tread carefully – there are lots of plants that are poisonous to pets, including varieties of ficus, cheese plants and aloe vera. Seasonal plants, like mistletoe and poinsettia are also no-go’s. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of cat friendly houseplants too! You just need to learn what’s toxic.

Toxic houseplants to cats

Houseplants that are not safe for cats include:

• Azaleas
• Daffodils
• Dieffenbachia (dumb canes)
• Foxgloves
• Hydrangeas
• Lilies
• Philodendrons
• Poinsettias
• Tomato plants
• Yew

To keep your feline friend as safe as possible, avoid all toxic plants and flowers. Your cat may be harmed if they rub against the plant or try to eat it. Pollen, needles, seeds, flowers and leaves can be toxic to cats .

While cats like to eat grass, most are wary of eating anything out of the ordinary . But some plants are so poisonous that even the surrounding air can be harmful to your purrfect pets.

How to keep your cat safe around houseplants

• Avoid having toxic plants in your home.
• Keep any plants you don’t want them to get to well out of reach from any avid climbers.
• Give your pet cat grass to chew on instead.
• Make sure they have lots of toys and enrichment so they’re not tempted to get up to mischief.

What to do if your cat eats a houseplant

If you suspect your cat has nibbed a houseplant or is showing symptoms of poisoning, you need to act quickly and contact your vet immediately. 

Signs of poisoning can include:

• Salivation
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea
• Twitching
• Breathing difficulties
• Shock 
• Collapse
• Fitting
• Coma

If it’s safe to do so, you need to move your cat away from the plant and remove any pieces of it from around their mouth or fur. Try to identify the type of the plant and take a sample to the vet with you. This will help them decide how best to help your pet.

Cat friendly houseplants 

Don’t worry. It’s not all doom and gloom if you’re looking to brighten up your home. The good news – there are plenty of cat safe house plants to choose from, so green-thumbed pet owners can relax. If you have a large space, you could opt for a parlour palm or why not add some interest to your bedside table with a spider plant? Whatever your taste in plants, you should be able to find a cat-friendly option to suit all members of your family. 

The following friendly houseplants are gorgeous, low maintenance and – most importantly – non-toxic for your furry friends:

• Bamboo, kentia  and parlour palms
• Boston, sword  and maidenhair ferns
• Hoya or wax plants
• Money trees
• Prayer plants
• Spider plants
• Pineapple plants
• Cast iron plant
• String of hearts
• Chinese money plant 
• Zebra plant 
• Golden polypody
• Watermelon peporomia 
• Calathea sanderiana
• Christmas cactus
• Orchids

These cat friendly indoors plants won’t cause any problems, even if your feline is feeling curious.

Some houseplants can be highly toxic to cats, while others are completely safe. The leaves, flowers, stems and even pollen of some plant species can be very dangerous, so always check which houseplants are safe for cats before bringing them home. 

Some household cleaning products contain harsh chemicals which can harm your cat. They might breathe in fumes or else get substances on their fur or paws from coming into contact with cleaned surfaces. Always check products are safe for pets before using in areas your cat likes to spend time. 

Dogs, cats and rabbits like to eat a varied diet, but some human foods aren’t safe for them to consume. Things like chocolate and grapes are toxic to dogs, while most cats are lactose intolerant. Always check before feeding your pet something for the first time.