The Perfect Houseplant for Pet Owners: A Guide to Raising Monstera Deliciosa with Dogs

Everything You Need to Know About Monstera deliciosa and Dogs

A monstera deliciosa, more commonly known as a Swiss cheese plant or monstera, is a popular houseplant thatmany pet owners have questions about keeping around dogs. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll answer all your questions about monstera safety, care tips, and whether your furry friend can coexist happily with this gorgeous plant.

Is My Monstera Poisonous to Dogs?

1. The short answer is yes – all parts of the monstera deliciosa plant are moderately toxic to dogs if ingested.
2. The milky sap and small green berries produced by the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and throat of dogs.
3. If a large amount is eaten, it may cause vomiting, drooling, swelling of the mouth and throat.
4. In very rare cases of ingestion of a large quantity, kidney damage is possible due to accumulated oxalate crystals.

So in summary – while a nibble won’t necessarily harm your pup, it’s best to keep monsteras and curious dogs separated to avoid any risks. The toxicity is mild compared to highly poisonous plants, but prevention is always preferable to treatment if possible.

How Can I Keep My Monstera Safe from Dogs?

Here are some effective strategies based on my experience owning both plants and pups:

1. Place your monstera in a high location that dogs can’t easily reach, such as on top of a bookshelf or entertainment center.
2. Group all your houseplants together on a plant stand or high table to eliminate any stray leaves at dog level.
3. Cover the soil with decorative rocks to discourage digging and remove any fallen leaves right away.
4. Close doors to rooms with plants when you can’t supervise dog-plant interaction.
5. Train your dog with a verbal “leave it” command to avoid plants if pulled toward them during play.
6. Consider a baby gate or physical barrier at problem doorways if jumping is an issue.

The key is making monsteras inaccessible through elevation or barriers. With some prevention strategies in place, both plant and pup can coexist happily!

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Part of a Monstera?

Even with the best precautions, accidents may still happen. Here’s what to do if your dog ingests monstera:

1. Remain calm and contact your veterinarian right away for advice on next steps.
2. Gather a sample of any remaining plant material for identification purposes.
3. Induce vomiting only if recommended by your vet within the first hour, as per their instructions.
4. Monitor your dog closely for any signs of drooling, vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite over the next 24 hours.
5. Be prepared to provide details to your vet on amount eaten and time of ingestion if symptoms worsen and medical treatment is needed.

Most likely the ingestion will only cause mild, temporary stomach upset. But it’s always better to err on the side of caution with potentially toxic plants. Prompt vet contact can help determine the best course of action.

How Do I Care For My Monstera With Dogs Around?

With the right care practices, your monstera can thrive even with pets underfoot. Here are my tips:

1. Water judiciously – let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings to avoid pooling which dogs may drink.
2. Fertilize monthly in the growing season with a diluted liquid houseplant food to support growth.
3. Rotate the plant every few weeks so all sides receive indirect sunlight equally.
4. Inspect leaves regularly for pests and remove any with bites before dogs notice.
5. Repot only when roots start circling the nursery pot to prevent shock.
6. Wipe down leaves weekly with a damp cloth to remove dust which dogs may find intriguing.
7. Prune off damaged or diseased parts with clean pruners sterilized in rubbing alcohol.

With a little TLC, your monstera will thrive indoors providing you and Fido years of enjoyment. Just keep an eye on interactions at first until habits are established.

Can Dogs and Monstera Peacefully Coexist?

In many homes they can, but it does require some effort! Based on my experience owning both over 15 years, here are some factors that determine cohabitation success:

– Age/size of dog – puppies and small dogs are riskier than calm, trained adult dogs
– Breed – some are more curious/destructive than others like labs vs poodles
– Training/commands – well-behaved dogs respect leave it and stay cues
– Supervision – monitor close interactions, keep plants out of reach if unattended
– Enclosure – use baby gates or x-pens to section off plant area when you can’t watch
– Interest/habits – remove temptation by using unappealing containers vs terra cotta
– Consequence – correct gently if interest emerges, reward for leaving room undisturbed

Basically, with indoor space planning to limit access, supervision when together, and training reinforcement – most dog breeds can peacefully coexist with monsteras. It just takes consistency and patience on both sides!

I hope this overview has addressed all your questions about keeping your monstera deliciosa safe and healthy around dogs. Please let me know if you need any clarification or have additional concerns. With proper precautions and care, your furry friend doesn’t have to compromise your love of this gorgeous houseplant.

Criteria for Choosing a Monstera Deliciosa Plant Variety

FAQ

1. Can monstera plants hurt dogs?

   Mostly no, but monstera plants can be a little harmful to dogs if they eat large portions. The leaves contain small calcium oxalate crystals that give some people a nasty stinging/burning sensation in the mouth. Dogs don’t usually chew on monstera leaves, but it’s better to keep them out of reach just in case.

2. Are monsteras poisonous to dogs?

   While monsteras aren’t exactly poisonous, they aren’t too good for dogs either. If your pup eats a ton of leaves, it could potentially cause some tummy trouble like upset stomach or vomiting. But one or two leaves probably won’t do much harm. The biggest risk is those tiny crystals I mentioned irritating their mouth. So it’s best not to let dogs snack on monsteras.

3. Can a monstera plant make my dog sick?

   It’s unlikely a monstera would seriously sicken your dog unless they basically decided to take a big bite out of the plant. However, there is a chance those calcium oxide crystals could cause some minor mouth discomfort. Most dogs won’t bother chewing on monsteras, but you’ll want to keep an eye on your pup just in case. Maybe put the plant up high or behind a gate to stay on the safe side.

   

4. Why do dogs eat plants?

   Dogs aren’t really looking to eat plants for nutrients. Most of the time, they chew on greenery due to natural curiosity or because they’re bored. Pups may also eat non-food items due to nutritional deficiencies, stress, or digestive issues. So while monsteras probably won’t do serious damage, it’s better toredirect your dog to appropriate chew toys instead of risking stomach troubles.

5. Can a monstera kill a dog?

   No way! A monstera alone would never be enough to fatally harm a dog. For a plant to potentially kill a canine, a dog would need to gorge on a truly enormous quantity. Think gallons worth. It’s extremely unlikely any dog could demolish that much monstera. At most, a dog may face some mild digestive upset as mentioned earlier. But in reasonable amounts, this plant is very unlikely to cause anything worse than an annoyed stomach.

6. What do I do if my dog eats part of a monstera?

   Remain calm – it’s probably not an emergency unless your pup wolfed down a huge amount. Make a note of when it happened and monitor for any vomiting or diarrhea over the next day. If symptoms appear mild, no treatment is needed. For more serious issues, call your vet. They may want to induce vomiting right away before absorption. Hopefully your dog only had a taste and will be fine. But it can’t hurt to give your vet a heads up about the plant just in case.

7. Can monsteras kill other pets besides dogs?

   Cats and other small animals would face about the same minor risks as dogs if they nibbled on monstera. Most indoor critters know not to mess with houseplants. Still, it’s best not to leave pets alone around any greenery in case of possible digestive issues. Monsteras alone won’t seriously threaten pets, but why take chances? It merely requires keeping plants up high or behind safety barriers.

8. Should I get rid of my monstera if I have a dog?

   Definitely not! As long as you take basic precautions, it’s perfectly fine to keep your monstera with canine pals. Simply place it high on shelves or hang it from the ceiling where dogs can’t access. You can also install a barrier like a baby gate if displaying at lower levels. With supervision when outside, most dogs won’t trouble the plant. Monsteras add beauty to any home – don’t ditch yours just because Fido shares the space. Creative placement solutions work great.