Are golden cane palms toxic to dogs?

Golden cane palms are not toxic to dogs and it is safe to plant them in your yard or have them indoors with your pet. Golden cane palms are a tough palm that can withstand knocks or bumps from a passing dog and can recover if a dog happens to dig near their roots.

The APCA¹ have listed the golden cane palm as non-toxic to dogs so they are safe and a great feature in your yard or home.

There are a few tips I have to keep both your dog and your golden cane palm happy indoors or outdoors so read on to give yourself the best chance of both thriving in the same space.

Golden cane palms in pots with dogs

Golden cane palms look beautiful with their yellow stems that can grow dense and beautiful similar to bamboo. Planting them in pots can be a great way to contrast the yellow stems with another color like a deep gray which makes them stand out and look great.

Thinking about where you place your golden cane palm pot in your yard with dogs is important as an expensive pot can be easily knocked over by a busy dog who runs past.

Golden cane palms are an upright palm which can make them top heavy this means that they may be more likely than other plants to tip over when knocked.

Place the pot in the corner

Placing the pot in a corner of your yard or surrounding it with smaller pots can be a great way to prevent accidents including your dog running past and knocking it over.

Use a heavy square pot

Concrete pots with a wide base, even a square base make the most solid pots for golden cane palms in gardens with dogs.

Plant palms in a raised garden bed

Planting golden cane palms in a raised garden bed is also a great way to prevent them from being knocked and causing a mess with a broken pot and potting soil.

Pair them with other tropical plants and create a beautiful display that won’t be damaged by a passing dog.

Golden cane palms in pots indoors with dogs

Golden cane palms can grow incredibly well indoors in a bright sunny spot near a window that gets plenty of light. Finding the perfect place to put your palm is key so they your dog and palm can share the space without making a mess.

I have found that adult dogs have no interest in chewing on the golden cane palms but if you have a puppy this could be a different story. Puppies will chew anything and a golden cane palm stem looks just like a stick.

When our dog was a puppy he chewed on everything indoors including plants, clothes and shoes. While golden cane palms are not poisonous they can make a mess and be damaged by a young pup.

Using a heavier square pot placed in the corner of your room is the best way to prevent a dog from knocking it over and spilling soil everywhere.

I had recently moved a pot that was sitting near my dog’s bed to another space because he would accidentally knock it over when he went to lay down.

Mulching golden cane palms and dogs

Mulch is important for the health of your golden cane palm. They will thrive outdoors with a layer of 2-3 inches of bark mulch which will help to keep them moist and healthy. For palms that share their space with dogs, bark mulch can actually help to protect the palms roots.

A layer bark mulch can form a cushion which will stop the soil from being compacted as your dog walks across the top. The mulch will prevent the roots from being damaged by the weight of your dog and it will even be fine if your dog likes to lay under the palm for shade.

While straw mulch or sugar cane mulch are also safe for dogs bark mulch usually works best and will not be spread as far as they walk through it.

For more on mulching palms, check out my previous article here.

Dogs digging around the golden cane palm

Most dogs love to dig any whether they are young or old there is a chance that they might be interested in the soil around your golden cane palm. To discourage dogs from digging into the soft soil around your palm avoid strong smelling fertilizer that the dogs love.

While I always love to use pelleted chicken manure, this is loved by my dog so I always avoid placing it in areas that he spends a lot of time. Blood meal is the same and can encourage your dog to dig at the soil and try to eat at it.

Using a liquid fertilizer is a better choice as it is quickly absorbed by the soil and the plant. Choose a low odor fertilizer and skip the fish emulsion. Water the fertilizer in well straight after applying to reduce the smell and interest your dog might have in the area.

Are golden cane palms toxic to dogs? | Summary

Golden cane palms are not toxic to dogs but it is best to make the area around the palm as unappealing to your dog as possible. Do not use strong smelling fertilizers and place pots int eh corner out of the way to avoid your dog accidentally knocking pots over.

Heavier concrete pots with a wide base work well or opt for a square shape that looks great and will stay solid.

Happy gardening.

References

1. Cane Palm, ASPCA, accessed 4th September 2021, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/cane-palm