Dogs will eat nearly anything, up to and including plants. However, some plants are incredibly toxic for our four-legged friends, so it’s good to know which plants are safe to have around and which are not. One plant you can safely have around is the money tree.
What is a money tree? This plant is a native of South and Central America but is also associated with many legends of wealth and prosperity that come from China. It requires little care, making it a plant fan favorite, and is extremely popular with those who practice feng shui. Best of all, it is non-toxic to dogs—though it may cause a bit of stomach upset if ingested!
However, the money tree is not to be mixed up with the money plant. These are two entirely different plant species—you may know the money plant by its other names: jade plant and rubber plant. The money plant is extremely toxic to dogs if eaten. If your dog ingests the money plant, it can cause symptoms including slow heart rate, loss of coordination, and vomiting.
The good news is the money tree, and the jade money plant have different appearances, so it’s easier to tell them apart with the money plant’s leaves being rounder than the money tree’s and glossier.
What Do I Do If My Dog Eats a Money Tree?
If your doggo manages to eat a money tree, first and foremost, don’t panic, as they should be absolutely fine! Since the money tree is not toxic for dogs, at most, your pup may experience some stomach discomfort (depending on how much they ate). This should clear up relatively soon, though.
If stomach discomfort doesn’t go away in a day or so, go ahead and visit your vet. It could be your dog got into something other than (or along with) the money tree, and that is what’s causing the stomach upset. Let your vet know any possible other plants or items your dog could have eaten along with the money tree if this happens, so they have an idea where to begin on treatment.
How Can I Keep My Dog from Money Trees?
If you’d rather not deal with your pup getting an upset stomach, there are ways you can keep them from getting into your money trees.
Of course, the easiest way to do so is by not having money trees in your home. But since some people prefer having plants around (especially ones that improve feng shui or might improve your fortune), that may not be a simple choice. If you decide you’d rather hang onto the money trees, you can keep them where your doggo can’t reach them. Place them up high on a bookcase or in a room where your dog isn’t allowed. Just remember to check the tree every once in a while for any leaves that may have fallen, so your pup doesn’t eat those.
Your next best option is to train your dog to stay away from plants in your home. It’s best to start training them to do this when they’re still a puppy, but if you have an older dog, they’ll still catch on relatively quickly.
Also, be sure your dog is getting enough exercise. A tired pupper is one that’s less likely to start getting into and eating items it shouldn’t!
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the money tree, it’s one of the safer plants to have around your dog. They should be mostly fine if they eat it as it isn’t toxic. However, they may encounter some stomach upset depending on how much they eat. If you want to avoid even a bit of stomach discomfort, you can keep your pup away from any money trees. The simplest way is by not having them in the home, but you can also just place them out of reach, train your dog to stay away, and tire your dog out so they don’t get into things they shouldn’t.
One important note is to not mistake the money plant for the money tree, as the money plant (aka jade plant) is toxic to dogs and will make them quite ill!
Featured Image Credit: Negin Minaei, Shutterstock
