The list of poisonous plants for dogs is long. Concerned hobby gardeners who share their lives with dogs know that even plants that are not explicitly poisonous to dogs can pose a danger to their beloved four-legged friend. You can find out whether houseleek falls into this category here.
Is houseleek poisonous to dogs?
Houseleek is generally not poisonous to dogs. However, larger amounts can cause nausea and vomiting. Make sure that the plant is free of chemical agents and mineral-toxic fertilizers to avoid possible dangers for your dog.
Is a houseleek poisonous to dogs?
In principle, houseleek is not poisonous for dogs. For this reason, Sempervivum species are missing from lists of potentially poisonous plants for dogs. The traditional use of houseleek as a medicinal plant still causes headaches for owners. Because of this, a differentiated assessment of impending dangers for sensitive dog tummies makes sense:
- Houseleek contains a high concentration of medicinally effective substances, such as tannins and bitter substances.
- For reasons of caution, houseleek is mainly used externally as a natural medicinal plant.
- Consumption in large quantities can cause severe nausea and distressing vomiting in people, dogs and cats.
Sprays and fertilizers contaminate houseleeks – what to do?
Houseleek from the plant trade cannot be seen to see whether the leaves are contaminated with chemical agents. Experts on plants poisonous to dogs also point out that the substrate of purchased Sempervivum can contain mineral-toxic fertilizer. For the benefit of your four-legged companion, we recommend thisImmediate Care: for every houseleek in the pot.
- Unpot the houseleek on the day of purchase.
- Rush off the soil and plant parts thoroughly.
- Drain the plant on a wire rack.
- As a substrate, mix organic, peat-free cactus soil with coconut fibers and expanded clay.
- Plant houseleek in a shallow bowl with grit drainage and the dog-friendly substrate.
How do I keep my dog away from houseleek?
Yawning boredom is the most common cause when dogs attack houseleeks. Strategies that distract your tired fur nose fromNibbling on houseleeks: have proven to be the most effective solutions to problems in everyday life.
- Offer a food ball (€17.00 on Amazon) or chewing bone.
- Create distraction with a sniffer mat.
- Hang houseleeks from the ceiling as hanging plants.
- Put a protective net over the houseleek.
Tip
Out of reach for dogs – plant houseleeks on roof tiles
As green roofs, houseleeks are out of reach of nosey dogs. According to legend, having houseleek on the roof will protect your home against lightning strikes and evil witches. For decorative growth on roof tiles, Sempervivum are content with drainage made of expanded clay and a handful of succulent soil. For this reason the Sempervivum tectorum is also aptly called Dachwurz.
