No, prayer plants are not toxic to dogs.
Prayer plants belong to the family Marantaceae or arrowroot—a popular starch. Found in tropical forests across America, Asia, and Africa, there are over 530 species of these flowering plants. This popular houseplant goes by many names such as maranta, rattlesnake plant, red veined prayer, peacock plant, and zebra plant. However, its scientific name is Maranta leuconeura.
Depending on its species, prayer plants can have large variegated leaves in lively shades of pink, white, and green. Aside from being sold as houseplants, they are also used as materials for food, mats, baskets, and roofs. The good news is that prayer plants are non-toxic for dogs and cats, making them a great choice for pet owners thinking of growing new plants.
What to do if your dog accidentally comes into contact with, chews, or eats prayer plants: There are no toxic principles present in prayer plants, so your dog shouldn’t experience any adverse reactions after chewing or eating its leaves. Nevertheless, if you spray chemicals on the leaves or add fertilizers in the soil, make sure to keep the prayer plant away from your pooch. These may be extremely toxic for pets in general.
If you suspect your dog got exposed to harmful chemicals applied to your plant, observe him for symptoms of poisoning. Watch for any of the following: diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, agitation, pale gums, nausea, tremors, convulsions, abnormal heart rate, unsteadiness on feet, and difficulty in breathing.
In summary: Prayer plants are named as such because their leaves fold together like praying hands at night. They’re a wonderful and unusual addition to your indoor garden, even if you own or care for dogs.
Aside from prayer plants, discover which common plants and flowers are canine-safe by visiting ASPCA, PetMD, and Pet Poison Helpline.
References:
Maranta leuconeura – Wikipedia
Dog poisoning: Signs of poisoning in dogs and what you need to do
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