Many people are not knowledgeable about how some house plants can be dangerous for their pets.
If you have pets at home or are planning to get a new family member that is furry, you must ensure their safety
Some rubber tree plants can be harmful to your pets. The Indian rubber plant, the Japanese rubber plant and the Chinese rubber plant are some of the rubber tree plants that could be toxic to your pet. They have sap that is poisonous to pets.
Some symptoms you may see include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, and lethargy.
Are Rubber Trees Dangerous for Pets?
The sap is what they consider is the reason that rubber plants can harm pets.
The sap contains latex, which cause an allergy reaction in different people or animals.
- They are classified as being in Toxicity Class 4, which is the lowest classification, because they typically cause only mild reactions. If pets come into contact with sap, some mild irritation can occur if it gets in their eyes, skin, or mouth.
- Pet noses and eyes are not very well protected, so if they touch the sap they will potentially be irritated, and even worse, many pets might try to taste the rubber plant.
- Ingesting, chewing, or tasting a rubber plant can cause diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy in pets.
Rubber plants are toxic to pets. However, you can keep them as long as you place the plants strategically so that your pets cannot get to them.
Some people keep rubber plants up off the ground- such as on plant stands, and others use coffee grounds or citrus peel around their plants because pets tend to avoid the smell.
Another trick is to spray the plants with diluted vinegar.
What Are the Symptoms of Rubber Tree Poisoning?
There are actually many kinds of rubber tree plants, so the symptoms of contact will depend on which one you own.
If your dog or cat has contact with the rubber plant, it could have any of these symptoms:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Skin irritation
- Depression
If you suspect or discover that your animal has ingested a rubber plant, the first thing to do is contact your veterinarian.
Your veterinarian will instruct you about what signs to observe and determine if bringing your animal in is necessary.
There are several varieties of rubber plants. The Indian Rubber plant, which is also called the Fig plant is harmful to dogs.
Another rubber plant, called the Jade plant, also has another name as well:
- the Japanese rubber plant
- baby jade
- the Chinese rubber plant
- or the dwarf rubber plant
Rubber plants can make animals sick and also depress them.
The American rubber (Ficus elastica) is also called the pepper face plant or baby rubber plant is safe for dogs.
Watch Out: You should know what type of rubber plant you have if you have pets.
What Toxin Causes Rubber Plant Poisoning
Different types of rubber plants contain toxins, leading to varying symptoms of toxicity.
The Indian rubber plant contains a proteolytic enzyme, ficin, and a psoralen, ficusin.
Ficin causes profuse drooling, while ficusin can cause skin irritation.
Although scientists do not know which toxin is in the Jade rubber plant, they know that it causes vomiting and episodes of depression.
The American rubber plant does not contain any toxins, therefore your pets are unlikely to show any signs of toxicity from this type of rubber plant.
What Will the Vet Do for Your Pet?
If your dog or cat has ingested the rubber tree plant, you may need to go to the vet.
Once you arrive:
- Your veterinarian will perform an exam to evaluate your pet’s condition.
- They will evaluate all of the symptoms and take blood to assess for any internal or organ damage.
- Your veterinarian may also want to do a urine sample to make sure the kidneys are functioning properly.
- They will ask what type of rubber tree plant it was.
Treatment for Rubber Plant Poisoning
When determining the treatment options for your pet’s rubber plant poisoning, your veterinarian will factor in your pet’s clinical signs and the specific type of toxins that affected your pet.
Here are some examples:
- If your pet is salivating excessively or foaming at the mouth, the veterinarian will probably begin by rinsing the mouth out and trying to manage it.
- If your dog has developed any kind of eye irritation or rash, the veterinarian may prescribe you to put ointments on.
- If your pet has ingested the rubber tree plant, the veterinarian may induce vomiting, depending on how long it has been since the occurrence.
Another common avenue of treatment for pets is giving activated charcoal.
How It Works: When it is ingested, it absorbs the toxins that are still inside your pet’s body. There may be other medications offered by your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Most pet owners experience toxicity from rubber tree plants, which is usually mild.
Only the American rubber plant is void of toxins, whereas most other types will cause toxicity.
If you see signs of toxicity, you should call your vet and get further instruction on what to do, if anything.