Dogs are curious creatures who love to explore their environment, which includes your home and garden. Plants that are toxic for dogs should be well known to all dog owners.
While many plants can be harmless or even beneficial to dogs, there are also many plants that can be toxic to our furry friends. Ingestion of these plants can cause a range of health problems, from mild gastrointestinal upset to serious or even life-threatening complications.
To help keep your dog safe, it’s important to know which plants are toxic to them and to take steps to prevent your dog from accessing these plants. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the most common toxic plants for dogs and what to do if you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic plant.
Common Toxic Plants for Dogs:
- Sago Palm: This popular ornamental plant contains a toxin that can cause liver damage and even death in dogs.
- Azalea/Rhododendron: These plants contain a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, cardiovascular collapse and death.
- Castor Bean: The seeds of this plant contain a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures and coma.
- Oleander: All parts of this plant contain a toxin that can cause heart problems, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.
- Lily: While lilies are popular as cut flowers and potted plants, they are highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure. While not as toxic to dogs, lilies can still cause vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
- Cyclamen: This plant contains a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and heart problems.
- Amaryllis: All parts of this plant contain a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures and coma.
- Yew: The needles of this plant contain a toxin that can cause heart problems and death.
- Chrysanthemum: These popular flowers contain a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures and coma.
- Autumn Crocus: This plant contains a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, bone marrow suppression.
Common Toxic Houseplants for Dogs:
- Philodendron: This popular houseplant can cause oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested.
- Pothos: Another common houseplant, Pothos can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and oral irritation in dogs.
- Dieffenbachia: This plant contains a toxin that can cause oral irritation, drooling, and difficulty swallowing in dogs.
- Peace Lily: This popular houseplant can cause oral irritation, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested.
- Snake Plant: While not highly toxic, ingestion of this plant can cause mild gastrointestinal upset in dogs.
Preventing Your Dog from Accessing Toxic Plants:
To prevent your dog from accessing toxic plants, it’s important to be aware of which plants are toxic and to take steps to keep these plants out of reach. Here are some tips for preventing your dog from accessing toxic plants:
- Research any plant before bringing it into your home or garden to ensure it is safe for dogs.
- Keep plants that are toxic to dogs out of reach, such as on high shelves or in hanging baskets.
- Consider using pet-safe alternatives to traditional fertilizers and pesticides, as some of these products can be toxic to dogs if ingested.
- Supervise your dog when outdoors to prevent them from accessing toxic plants in your garden or in your neighbor’s garden.
What to Do if Your Dog Ingests a Toxic Plant:
If you suspect that your dog has ingested a toxic plant, it’s important to act quickly to minimize the risk of serious or life-threatening complications. Here are some steps you can take if you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic plant:
- Stay calm and assess the situation. Try to identify the plant that your dog has ingested and the amount ingested.
- Call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately for guidance. They may ask you for information such as your dog’s age, breed, weight, and any symptoms they are experiencing.
- Follow any instructions given by your veterinarian or the poison control center
Not all toxins should be treated the same way. Having a few first aid items on hand in case of yoxic ingestion is a good idea. Here is a link to a source of several such items. Activated charcoal, ipicac are among several options. There is no obligation to make a purchase. You may also use their search bar to view other categories of interest while there.
All dog owners need to have this info on hand:
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
Thanks to Pinterest and Britannica for photos