Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats
Here are the top 15
Spring showers make spring flowers! But be mindful of the top poisonous plants for dogs and cats! Dogs dig under all plants so many of the flowers in your yard may be an issue. You may not even realize it. The bulb family of plants is dangerous for our pets so when you’re planting these make sure you make a note of where they’re planted.
You can ask our staff more about each of the below if these are your fave but it’s risky and potentially dangerous if your animals nibble on any of these. According to the ASPCA, the list is long – so please visit their site for the complete list (more than 700 plants).
Here are the more common top poisonous plants for dogs and cats that a pet parent should be careful around when they have their animals with them:
1. Amaryllis
Vomiting (not horses), depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, tremors.
2. Apricot – scary pits for dogs to choke on
Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.
3. Alocasia (or Elephant’s Ear)
Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing.
4. Sago Palm
Vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death.
5. Azalea
Vomiting (not in horses), diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure.
6. Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)
Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth , tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
7. Lily of the Valley
Vomiting, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma, seizures.
8. Baby’s breath
You know it from virtually every bouquet of flowers you’ve ever received. This small flower that accompanies floral arrangements can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
9. Milkweed
Milkweed will induce the usual vomiting and diarrhea, but your dog may also experience difficulty breathing, rapid and weak pulse, dilated pupils, and even kidney or liver failure and death.
10. Begonia’s
A very common garden flower that can cause extreme oral irritation and excessive inflammation of the mouth, as well as drooling and vomiting.
11. Hops
Hops can be poisonous to at least some breeds of dogs and also sometimes to cats. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the cones are a particular threat when a pet eats enough of them. They can cause a potentially fatal condition in dogs and cats called malignant hyperthermia.
12. Ivy
Vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation and drooling, and abdominal pain are caused by ingesting ivy.
13. Gladiola
This lovely summer flower can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and general lethargy.
14. Daffodil
Commonly found in the spring, these flowers can cause intestinal spasms, low blood pressure, salivation, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, and even cardiac arrhythmia.
15. Tomato plants
With summer comes tomato plants in the garden. Make sure to keep dogs clear of tomato plant leaves, as they can cause weakness, gastrointestinal problems, drowsiness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, and confusion. It’s ok for a dog to nibble on the fruit but those plants are toxic!
The ASPCA is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card. Resources: Always have the ASPCA’s site saved and bookmarked.
Looking for more safety tips for your pets? Read: