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Poisons In Your Home-Be Careful!

By Debra Kukulski, Broker Associate

Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Suburban 475.135322

March 23, 2009 03:00 AM

I was reading Chris Fisher's heartbreaking post about what recently happened with one of her beloved cats. Chris is a wonderful, kind person, a very talented stager and web designer, and definitely a lover of four legged furry friends. As an animal lover myself, it made quite an impression on me.

"I lost my little Tommy today, and it could have been prevented."

I admire her brevity in posting this information to help others. Her story brought tears to my eyes and it also motivated me to do a little more research on the subject in order to try to safe guard my own home and to share the information with others. My kitty loves to munch on the plants once in a while so I have been going through the lists this morning. The information on-line as to what house plants are poisonous to cats and dogs can be confusing.

IN fact, the more research I did, the more conflicting information I found. You may just want to use this list as a starting point to heighten your awareness and consult with your veterinarian, pediatrician or plant expert. I would not advise making any decisions based on any one of the lists below. I would have never done this had I not seen Chis Fishers post, so I thank her from the bottom of my heart for helping so many others by posting her very unfortunate experience. The thing is, it can easily happen to any one of us, as most of us are unaware of most of the dangers in our own homes. I hope this helps you make your home a little safer for all who tread there.

Emerald the Cat

I found one site that also posted pictures, which is quite helpful but does not seem to be as complete, as well as a few other links to more information and lists:

Let's start with Chris's link here

And some more:

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=191

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/safeguarding-cats-from-plants.html

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

http://www.blankees.com/house/plants/poisonous.htm

http://www.cfainc.org/articles/plants.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18+1914&aid=1616

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/htm/bc/ttox03.htm

http://www.sniksnak.com/plants.html (non-toxic)

http://www.sniksnak.com/plants-toxic.html

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Dogs-701/2008/3/Toxic-plants.htm

rainbow with bone

Click here for a list of foods that may also be poisonous to your pets

From ASPCA, "A Poison Safe Home"-just click here

From ASPCA, Animal Poison Control FAQ-just click here

Also from ASPCA, what to do if your pet is poisoned-just click here

Click here for a list of other things in your home that could also poison your beloved pets

"Safe" Flower list-just click here

ASPCA Poison Control Center

or call:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-4-ANI-HELP

Last but not least (it's just that this post started out about plants that can poison your feline friends), here are a couple of links with information on plants that are poisonous to children:

http://www.cookiebabyinc.com/poisonousplants/index.htm

http://lancaster.unl.edu/factsheets/031.htm

It sure makes you wish someone would come up with a thorough site with pictures because there is so much conflicting information out there. If anyone comes across one, please share the information here. Chris may just have the best and safest solution in not taking chances with ANY house plants by getting rid of ALL of them or at least have them in a safe place well out of reach of your little beloved ones. My heart goes out to Chris Fisher and her family for heartbreak they are suffering and for the courage to get this very important information out there to help others on the midst of it all.

THANK YOU, Chris. BIG HUGS to you and Rhiannon at this very sad time:-(

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I hope you find this information useful. I am only a phone call or email away of you need real estate help:-)

Debra Kukulski Crystal lake Real Estate

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Chris Fisher

Your Virtual Assistant - Concord, CA

Great research Debra. I guess I can see why I didn't know enough about this, there is so much to learn and I just never thought about it. I actually feel bad for my poor plants being discarded, but my cats are more important. I am even more angry at myself because I never have known poisons in the house, don't spray for bugs, etc., because of my pets and daughter, however I didn't even think about the plants. My poor little cat. I feel so bad.

Mar 23, 2009 05:05 AM

Lynn911.com ~ Dallas Real Estate Agent Top Team

Dallas Houses for Rent Dallas Apartment Rentals Lynn911.com - Dallas, TX

Debra,

Floor cleaners and be dangerous to animals due to chemicals use, we process your floors by steam cleaning only ! have a great day !

Mar 24, 2009 12:21 AM

Terry Haugen STAGE it RIGHT! 321-956-2495

Stage it Right! - Melbourne, FL

Debra, thanks for the information! People are unaware of all the dangers that lurk in their homes, to pets and kids. Rule of thumb, be organic, and put the plants outside, although there are a few like the spider plant that are harmless and can satsify the need to have houseplants.

Mar 24, 2009 01:20 AM

Debra Kukulski, Broker Associate

RE/MAX Suburban - Cary, IL

SRES;SFR,CDPE;GRI;ABR;e-PRO Realtor, Northern IL

Dear Chris...MOST people, including me have no idea of this. You are such a loving person and take great care of your pets...please do not blame yourself. It could have happened to any of us. And keep this in mind, even after doing the research, it is still very confusing because there is so much conflicting information out there. Maybe Tommy had a higher purpose and that was to help to save others.

Hi Lynn...that is a very good tip, thanks for stopping by and adding to the discussion:-)

Terry, I agree, there is so much we are not aware of. In the Midwest we just can't put the plants outdoors all year. The hard thing is that the poisonous plant are different on the different site. For example, some say the spider plant is safe and some say it is poisonous! I wish there were one site we could count on. I thought the ASPCA site seemed to be the best but I really do not know which is best to rely on.

Mar 25, 2009 12:04 AM

Debra, yeah in a perfect world eh? I think my cats are testimony to the safety of spider plants, otherwise, well ......and I forgot about you people up north and the cold winters. )-: My tact has always been to keep my house "baby" proof, although it can last as long as 17 years!

Mar 25, 2009 01:52 AM

Terry, yes, I agree. I am not sure if Chris's kitty became ill all at once or if it was an accumulation over time. I had read how some people said they lived safely with cats and some of the plants that are on the "bad" list, but I bet some cats just do not bother all of the plants and some are more frequent plant munchers. I really do not know the answer, you just have to be very careful, I think.

Mar 26, 2009 12:07 AM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Debra, I started reading the list... and forgot to leave my comment! Thank you for this very informative and important post. I had no idea there would be so many poisons on the list!

Mar 27, 2009 04:09 AM

HI Mary! It really is an eye opener, isn't it? Hey....remember Earth Hour tonight, too:-)

Mar 27, 2009 10:45 PM

Poisons In Your Home-Be Careful!

"I lost my little Tommy today, and it could have been prevented."

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Debra Kukulski, Broker Associate

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