All pet owners who might not be aware of the plants that could harm their animal should read this post.
The good news is that with a little education, no pet (or worried owner) needs to experience hazardous plants’ unpleasant effects. I am familiar with the anxiety and cost of emergency veterinary hospital care. Although we were delighted with the outcome, it was still a costly and drawn-out process. My wish is that this post will prevent other animals from consuming a poisonous plant.
Commonly found indoor and outdoor plants that are toxic include:
- Azaleas (Rhodoendron spp.) This shrub is poisonous in all sections.
- Caladium (Caladium spp.) This attractive shrub with brilliant foliage is deadly in all parts, but notably the corms.
- This native decorative shrub called coontie (Zamia integrifolia) has deadly seeds that can kill a dog. The vividly colored seeds of this low-growing shrub are at ground level, which makes them dangerous for young children and small animals. Harvest the seeds to make this plant harmless.
- thorny crown (Euphorbia milii) This plant has poisonous sap, however considering that it is usually coated in thorns, it’s astonishing that any pet would even attempt to eat it. This hardy ornamental plant bears vibrant flowers.
- Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) This decorative ground cover’s entire body, but especially the leaves, are poisonous to cats.
- Dracaena (including all species of Dracaena marginata “Tricolor”) This plant’s trunk was chewed on by two little dogs, who later perished. Consequently, I think of this herb as harmful to dogs. This plant is utilized as a landscape accent as well as a houseplant.
- A spring lily (Lilium longiflorum) If even a little quantity of the leaves or pollen from this common Easter plant is consumed by cats, it will result in kidney failure.
- Ivy from England and Algeria (Hedera helix & H. canariensis) This houseplant’s entire body, especially the leaves and berries, are poisonous.
- luminous dewdrop (Duranta repens) This shrub’s attractive berries are poisonous. Additionally, the leaf is allegedly poisonous.
- The glory lily (Gloriosa superba) This attractive shrub is poisonous to dogs, cats, and horses in all sections. Any portion of this plant that is consumed might result in kidney failure and death.
- Cycas revoluta, King Sago, and Queen Sago (Cycas circinalis) These attractive plants are poisonous in all parts, but notably the seeds. A dog can be killed by two seeds, and any plant portion that is consumed will affect the liver and may even cause death.
- Lantana (Lantana camara) This invasive plant is poisonous throughout, but the leaves and green berries are particularly dangerous. Children, dogs, and horses can all die from this plant.
- Oleander (Nerium oleander) The smoke from this bush is very harmful. Even putting the blossoms in a child’s mouth can harm them.
- Calm lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) This typical houseplant or ornamental that can withstand shade is poisonous to both dogs and cats.
- Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a weed that is poisonous in all parts, but the berries and roots are particularly dangerous. Ingestion can result in death by vomiting, spasms, and violent convulsions. From Maine to Florida and further west to Texas, you can find this natural perennial. It has broad, dark green foliage and long, thick crimson stems. The fruit is safe for birds to eat, and they spread the seeds throughout yards and natural areas.
- Green tomatoes and tomato plantations (Solanum lycopersicum) Both dogs and cats may suffer consequences if they devour a lot of the stems, leaves, or green tomatoes.
You should administer hydrogen peroxide to your dog or cat right away to induce vomiting if you ever learn or suspect that they have consumed a hazardous plant. After consuming a chunk of a King sago, our small Dachshund was on the verge of death when we took this one action.
If you have a large dog, you can put hydrogen peroxide in a cup and pour it down the dog’s throat. Hydrogen peroxide loses strength once the bottle is opened. A syringe can be used to inject the hydrogen peroxide down the throat of small dogs. In order to make someone vomit, you might need to deliver the hydrogen peroxide several times. Asking your veterinarian how much hydrogen peroxide your pet might require to induce vomiting is a good idea just in case.
In order to keep your pet away from dangerous plants, it’s critical to learn how to recognize them. Enter the scientific name of any unfamiliar plants into the Google Images search bar.
If you find a poisonous plant in or near your home, get rid of it or transfer it somewhere your pet can’t access it. Both within and outside the home, this is effective.
Watch out for poisonous plants in your neighbors’ yards if you take your dog for a walk. If you see your pet consuming something from the outside, check to make sure it’s not dangerous.
The quicker you act, the better the result will be. Once you know what to look for, protecting your dogs against dangerous plants is simple.
How dangerous is dracaena to canines?
According to the ASPCA, dracaena fragrans, also referred to as the “corn plant,” is a common houseplant that is harmful to pets, including cats and dogs. The herb can result in vomiting (sometimes with blood), sadness, anorexia, hyper-salivation, and dilated pupils in cats when consumed. These 37 plants range in hazard and difficulty.
A dog will Dracena kill?
Corn Plant No. 1 (Dracaena frangrans) This simple-to-grow plant is a very well-liked option for people’s homes. For both dogs and cats, indications of ingestion include vomiting and decreased appetite. Particularly in cats, it may result in respiratory problems and an elevated heart rate.
Sago Palm
The sago palm can be found indoors or outdoors and resembles a little palm tree thanks to its rigid fronds.
“According to Laura Stern, DVM, DABVT, director of client programs for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, sago palms are toxic to all pets and the symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, liver failure, and possibly death.
While the bark and leaves will hurt your dog, “The most toxic material is found in the seeds or “nuts,” according to her.
Tulips
The spring-blooming flower tulips is one that many people enjoy having both indoors and outdoors in their homes. However, dog parents should avoid these vibrant flowers.
Your dog can have stomach trouble if he chews on the lance-shaped leaves. The newly planted bulbs, which contain the greatest poisons, are where the actual risk resides when your dog digs them up and consumes them.
According to Dr. Stern, those can lead to severe stomach distress, depression, and appetite loss.
Lily of the Valley
The popularity of lilies of the valley as garden plants can be attributed to a variety of factors, including their pleasant scent, lovely white bell-shaped flowers, and ability to grow in shade. However, the flowering plant’s beauty conceals the fact that dogs get poisoned by it.
Changes in heart rate and rhythm can result from even a minor exposure to any component of the plant, according to Dr. Stern. Additionally to making your dog vomit, eating a few leaves or bulbs can also result in low blood pressure, confusion, seizures, or a coma.
Oleander
Oleander is a popular plant for landscaping, particularly on the West Coast. The cluster of flowers on this bushy shrub, which may reach a height of 12 feet, come in colors of yellow, white, pink, and red.
Dogs should not consume any part of this plant, including the long, sharp leaves and flower petals.
“Dr. Stern notes that oleander also has cardiac glycosides, just like lily of the valley. “Heart rhythm and heart rate variations are also visible.
It can be lethal and come with additional symptoms like drooling, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Philodendrons
A very well-liked indoor plant, philodendrons feature long vines and leaves in the shape of hearts. However, these plants contain calcium oxalate crystals that are insoluble and can hurt your dog’s mouth and lips.
Your pet may be pawing at his lips, drooling, or even retching if he has swallowed any leaves, according to Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM, a veterinarian at Animal Medical Center in New York City.
Rhododendron (also known as Azaleas)
These gorgeous flowered plants are full of grayantoxin, which has different effects on dogs depending on how much they’ve consumed.
According to Dr. Stern, stomach distress is the azalea ingestion’s most typical symptom.
Dogs rarely consume large quantities of azaleas, but when they do, they may become very weak, tremble, have low blood pressure, an erratic heartbeat, and other symptoms, according to the expert.
Dieffenbachia (also known as Dumb cane)
Due to the calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves, your dog may experience mouth, tongue, and lip burning if they bite on these predominantly indoor plants’ lush green leaves with white spots or stripes (the same ones found in philodendrons).
According to Dr. Hohenhaus, your dog may also drool a lot, vomit, or even have trouble breathing.
Japanese Yews (also known as Buddhist pine or Southern yew)
Due to their resemblance to miniature evergreen trees or shrubs with needle-like leaves and tiny red berries, these plants make great hedges. They are widespread across the country.
They can result in heart and blood pressure fluctuations, which can be fatal, as well as vomiting, drowsiness, and an unsteady walk, according to Dr. Stern.
Your dog may also exhibit seizures and muscle tremors as early warning signals.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen is a common indoor plant, particularly in the winter, due to its long-lasting, vividly colored blossoms (imagine every shade of pink).
According to Dr. Hohenaus, if your dog consumes any part of the plant, they’re likely to drool, throw up, and have diarrhea. It can disrupt their heart rate and rhythms and even result in death if they dig up the plant and consume the roots (also known as tubers).
Autumn Crocus
These plants are often referred to as “naked ladies” because when they bloom in the fall, their exquisite flowers emerge from the ground without foliage. Long after the blossoms have faded, the springtime brings forth the leaves and bulbs.
Your dog can start to throw up and have diarrhea if they consume even a tiny piece of the blooms, leaves, or bulbs. Colchicine, one of the poisons found in the Autumn Crocus, can also have long-lasting effects including decreasing bone marrow and resulting in liver failure, according to Dr. Stern.
Can indoor plants harm dogs?
I was startled up in the middle of the night around two years ago by what sounded like someone munching on a celery stalk. At the time, Bodhi was a young, highly timid Siamese cat that I had adopted.
When I turned on the light, Bodhi was sneakily chomping on the leaves of my vivid orange flowered bromeliad on top of my dresser. He wouldn’t leave my home office during the day because he was too scared, but it turned out that he wandered the house at night and ate a plant I believed was out of his reach.
The good news is that Bodhi has emerged from his shell and now spends the day being social. Bromeliads are among the “safe” (as in non-toxic) household plants that pet owners can maintain in their homes without much concern, which is equally good.
While floral arrangements and houseplants make lovely visual statements, some plants can badly illen or even kill your cherished dog or cat when swallowed or, in some cases, even just brushed against. Consider how your cat could lick pollen off an Easter lily in a bouquet that she brushed against on the coffee table as she was grooming herself. Even just ingesting that flower’s pollen could result in kidney damage or even death.
Dr. Zara Hedge, vice president and chief medical officer at the San Diego Humane Society, said: “One thing that would be very uncommon would be a medical illness like pica, which is a problem in which the animal constantly eats non-food items, such mud or rocks. “I believe that they may prefer the taste or flavor more frequently, but it may also be a behavioral issue, particularly for cats or kittens. They might consider playing with plants or leaves to be entertaining. Additionally, many dogs enjoy the taste or texture of the earth.
Dr. Susan Garity, a veterinarian with the Humane Society, Hedge’s colleague, said that it’s frequently also playtime for boredom.
Many lily species are among the plants that are blatantly harmful to dogs and cats. Iris, carnations, coleus, cyclamen, daffodils, philodendron, schefflera, and even tulips are among them. And they are by no means all of them. Some plants—like those Easter lilies—are poisonous to only cats.
Is consuming any of them a death warrant? Perhapshopefullynot. However, if you have any plants that are poisonous to dogs or cats in your home and you notice they’ve consumed any portion of them, you should contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline right away at (855) 764-7661 for advice. The helpline lists a few symptoms of poisoning, such as pale gums, collapse, weakness, drooling, coughing up blood, and vomiting.
Even some plants that are not thought to be hazardous to dogs or cats can have negative health effects, according to Anita Sly, a veterinary technician at the Governor Animal Clinic in University City.
“Cats can become sick if they consume enough spider plants, even though they are not poisonous. She noted that chewing on orchid tendrils could upset the digestive system of a delicate animal. The worst offenders when it comes to devouring plants are cats. Many cats suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. It’s not “poison,” but eating a Christmas cactus or even a sunflower can make someone with IBD unwell and trigger a flare-up.
Dogs and cats may chew on plant leaves, consume pollen, or dig in the ground; any of these activities could result in health problems if the substance is hazardous. The common plants listed below may already be in your house.
What indoor plants are harmful to dogs?
Household plants may undoubtedly add life to a space, but some of them are actually harmful to your dogs and even deadly if they consume them. The plants on the list below are dangerous to pets because of the toxic compounds they contain. All pet owners are advised to become familiar with these plants because they go by many different names. Additionally, it’s a smart idea to keep a first-aid kit on hand for your pet in case of any accidents.
Lilies
Although the Lily family of plants is highly diverse, some of its species are poisonous to dogs and cats. While the Stargazer and Easter Lilies are poisonous to both cats and dogs, the Mauna Loa, also known as the Peace Lily, is poisonous to both. In fact, cats may not survive if the Stargazer and Easter Lily are left untreated since it affects the cat’s kidneys and appetite. As for the Peace Lily, if it’s consumed, your dog or cat can start vomiting and struggle to swallow because of irritated lips and tongue.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a beautiful plant for people because of its ability to smooth skin, but it has the opposite effect on dogs who are kept as pets. The plant’s other parts can impair a dog’s digestive tract, but the leaves contain a form of gel substance that won’t hurt your pet if it is consumed.
Ivy (Hedera Helix)
We’ve all heard of poison ivy, but even common ivy, which is rather attractive, can be hazardous to dogs. If the plant is consumed, a dog might get a rash and/or have respiratory issues, but things might become lot worse because poison ivy can also cause paralysis or a coma.
Jade (Crassula Ovata)
The Jade plant is also known as Baby Jade, the Friendship Tree, the Dwarf Rubber Plant, the Chinese or Japanese Rubber Plant, and the Jade Tree. Whatever you choose to call it, make sure to keep your pet cat or dog away from it. Although the precise poisons in this plant are unknown, eating it can cause vomiting, ataxia (loss of coordination), bradycardia (slow heartbeat), and/or sadness.
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
The poisonous plant Dieffenbachia is also known as Dumb Cane, Exotica, or Tropic Snow, and it is toxic to both dogs and cats. The poisonous chemicals in this plant can cause vomiting, trouble swallowing, burning/swelling of the mouth and tongue, as well as excessive salivation. It may occasionally result in respiratory problems or even death.
Elephant Ear (Caladium)
Other popular names for this vibrant plant species include Malanga, Via Sori, Pai, Taro, Cape, or Ape. Because the compounds in it are comparable to those in Dieffenbachia, the reactions are practically identical. As a result, your pet may experience oral issues, increased salivation or drooling, vomiting, and swallowing issues.
Pothos/Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum)
The plant, also known as Satin or Silk Pothos, can irritate the mouth and tongue and is poisonous to both dogs and cats. Your pet may also experience nausea, increased salivation, and trouble swallowing. The plant can produce symptoms that are similar to those of Philodendron.
This strange-looking shrub can harm your dog in all of its parts. This applies to everything—leaves, roots, and even seeds. Every portion of the plant is deadly, and eating any of it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even liver failure.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)
Your pet shouldn’t consume this plant because it may cause irritated reactions like diarrhea and vomiting.
This plant, also known as Emerald Fern, Emerald Feather, Sprengeri Fern, Lace Fern, and Plumosa Fern, is harmful to both dogs and cats. If the berries are consumed, the plant’s sapogenin toxin, which is present in the berries, can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and skin inflammation.
Sowbread (Cyclamen)
This flowering plant will add color to any space, but dogs and cats should avoid it. When ingested, it may cause excessive salivation and drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and/or seizures. In extreme situations, it may even be fatal.
There are a number of plant varieties that are suitable for your pet dog to use as decorations in your home because they don’t contain any toxic chemicals or toxins. Hens and Chicks, Burro’s Tail, Blue Echeveria, Ponytail Palm, and Bamboo are the most prevalent and well-liked of these.