Are Your Plants Pet-Safe? (A Personal Wake-Up Call You’ll Want to Hear)

Sometimes, you don't realize you're playing Russian roulette with your pets...until you're standing outside at 9 PM, ripping bushes out of the ground with your bare hands. 

Here’s what happened: Last night, Adam decided to pull out his phone and double-check what some of the plants around our patio actually were. (Spoiler alert: I should have done this sooner.)
Turns out, those pretty green bushes lining the back patio? Yep — toxic to Goose and Gator. 
And even better (insert panic here), Gator had been casually snacking on them like it was an all-you-can-eat salad bar because he is a teething puppy and why wouldn't he?!

The good news? Gator’s fine. We caught it quickly. Adam went full superhero mode and ripped the bushes out on the spot.
The even better news? Now we get to help you avoid being in the same 9 PM panic we were.

Here’s your quick guide to keeping your pets safe:

✅ Check your plants.
Don’t assume because it’s common, it's safe. Some of the most popular plants, like lilies, sago palms, azaleas, and even certain ferns, can be incredibly toxic to pets.

✅ Use trusted resources.
The ASPCA keeps a fantastic, regularly updated list of toxic and non-toxic plants for pets:
👉 ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List

✅ Download a plant identification app.
If you're like me and can't tell a hydrangea from a hibiscus just by looking at it (no shame), there are great free tools out there.
We recommend trying:

  • PictureThis (App Store & Google Play)

  • PlantSnap (App Store & Google Play)

With these apps, you can snap a quick photo of any plant and get an instant ID — before your dog decides to taste-test it.

✅ When in doubt, rip it out.
(Or, you know, relocate it out of paw’s reach.)

Moral of the story?
If you wouldn’t leave chocolate bars on the patio, don’t leave mystery plants either.
Do a quick scan of your yard, your houseplants, or even your neighbor's tempting fenceline bushes.
It’s a small step that can save you a LOT of worry — and a 9 PM landscaping workout.

Stay safe out there, friends! And give your pets an extra treat today for surviving our occasional human oversight. 🐾🌿