Spring bursts forth in all her glory, enticing us outdoors again to frolic in the sunshine and take in the marvel of blooms and new life. As your pet begins spending more time outside, it’s important that you know of potential hazards that lurk in several prevalent plants and trees. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Poison Control hotline receives approximately 150,000 calls annually and estimates that 25% of those calls are due to plant-related poisoning. VIP Pet Services wants to help you prepare a safe environment for your pet. We’ve compiled an extensive but not exhaustive list of poisonous plants that may harm your fur baby. Check out this list of toxic plants to avoid in your garden.
Common Poisonous Plants and Their Effects
Amaryllis
The lovely Amaryllis, popular around Easter, can be poisonous to dogs if ingested. It contains many toxic compounds, primarily in the bulb. If ingested, its toxins will most likely cause gastrointestinal irritation, leading to the symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and excessive drooling. In severe cases, ingestion of the plant can lead to major appetite changes, causing anorexia and body tremors as the toxins affect the central nervous system.
Autumn Crocus
Autumn crocus, also known as meadow saffron, is highly toxic to cats and dogs, especially the bulb of the plant. The toxic agent in autumn crocus interferes with cell division, making it highly dangerous as ingesting the smallest amount can disrupt organ systems and lead them to failure. The toxin colchicine in the plant can cause oral irritation or burning, severe and bloody vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, seizures, heart arrhythmias, and respiratory failure. Be aware that symptoms may appear immediately but often take several days post-ingestion to manifest. As soon as you suspect something, seeking immediate veterinary care is vital, as symptoms may worsen over time.
Azalea
The beautiful azalea plant is extremely toxic, especially if large amounts are consumed. Its toxins can disrupt sodium channels in the body’s cells. This disruption causes neurological symptoms and cardiovascular problems, such as arrhythmias and dangerously low blood pressure. Ingestion of just a few leaves will cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. Without immediate veterinary intervention, your pet is at risk for sudden blood pressure drop, coma, and even death.
Black Locust
The entire black locust tree, especially the bark, seeds and shoots, is toxic to cats and dogs. The tree produces toxic proteins that disrupt cellular function. If consumed, it can cause kidney failure, weakness, nausea, depression, and death.
Castor Bean
The castor bean, also known as the castor oil plant, mole bean plant, and African wonder tree, can be very harmful to cats and dogs if accidentally eaten. Though the entire plant contains ricin (a compound that will impede protein synthesis), the bean itself causes the most damage. As small an amount as an ounce of beans or seeds will elicit symptoms including loss of appetite, excessive thirst, weakness, loss of coordination, difficulty breathing, and central nervous system depression. Eventually, symptoms may also include bloody diarrhea, convulsions, coma, and death. If your pet ingested castor beans, they require urgent medical attention.
Cyclamen
Cyclamen is a common household plant that blooms seasonally and is known by a host of other names such as sowbread, malanga, elephant’s ears, Texas wonder, angel wings, pink cloud, stoplight, and mother-in-law plant. Whatever you call it, this plant contains insoluble calcium oxalates, which are toxic to dogs and cats, especially the roots. The toxins in this plant irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms begin with intense irritation of the mouth, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and diarrhea and may progress to heart abnormalities, seizures, and death.
Daffodil
The sunny daffodil contains the element lycorine, which is found throughout its petals and leaves, although it is most concentrated in the bulb. If ingested, any part of the plant is poisonous to dogs. In severe cases, the toxins can depress respiratory function and cause irregular heartbeats, and they may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, and respiratory depression.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia, also known as Charming Dieffenbachia, Dumb Cane, Exotica, or Tropic Snow, is a popular green plant found in many homes and offices. If ingested, insoluble calcium oxalates found in the foliage cause oral irritation, difficulty swallowing, and vomiting. The sharp crystals can lead to excessive drooling and difficulty swallowing. Contact with the sap from the plant may also cause ocular irritation and damage to the eyes.
Other Hazardous Plants to Avoid
Foxglove
Foxglove contains cardiac glycosides that interfere with the heart’s normal electrical activity and are toxic to cats and dogs. Consuming this plant can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, heart failure, and even death. Even small amounts can be lethal to pets, making it extremely hazardous.
Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe, sometimes called the Mother-in-Law plant, is another common household plant that bears small, dense flowers. The toxins primarily cause gastrointestinal upset, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. In rare cases, they can also disrupt heart rhythms, particularly if large amounts are consumed. Pets showing signs of cardiac distress after ingestion require urgent veterinary care.
Larkspur
Larkspur contains compounds called diterpene alkaloids, which are believed to decrease in toxicity as the plant matures. If your pet ingests the plant, symptoms may be moderate to severe, depending on its development. Symptoms can range from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe muscle tremors, stiffness, convulsions and respiratory paralysis. In fatal cases, death occurs due to respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.
Lilies
Lilies are toxic to cats when ingested. The Peace, Peruvian, and Calla lilies can cause oral irritation and drooling. The highly toxic lilies—Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter, and Japanese Show—may be fatal even when consumed in small amounts. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney failure. Drinking water from the vase containing lilies is just as toxic to cats as ingesting it. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent irreversible kidney damage.
Lily of the Valley
The sweet-smelling Lily of the Valley contains cardiac glycosides, which will cause symptoms similar to digitalis (foxglove) ingestion. Ingestion disrupts heart function, causing symptoms that include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased heart rate, severe cardiac arrhythmias, and possibly seizures. Immediate veterinary care is critical to prevent cardiac failure.
Oleander
Sometimes called rose bay, Oleander is an ornamental shrub with delicate flowers commonly found in the Southern US and California. The toxins in this plant disrupt the heart’s rhythm. If pets ingest the leaves or flowers, the highly toxic cardiac glycosides may cause vomiting, bloody diarrhea, incoordination, muscle tremors, suppressed heart rate, difficulty breathing, and death. Without prompt treatment, the risk of death due to cardiac arrest is high.
Rosary Pea
The Rosary Pea goes by many names, including precatory bean, Buddhist rosary bead, love bean, lucky bean, Indian licorice, prayer bean, and weather plant. Abrin and abric acid, toxic compounds in the beans, are dangerous to dogs and cats. Ingestion of just one bean can be dangerous; however, due to the bean’s hard outer shell, the bean may pass through the gastrointestinal system intact, leading to only mild symptoms, if any. But, should a broken or cracked bean be ingested, severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, tremors, increased heart rate, shock, and/or fever may lead to death.
Sago Palm
The Sago Palm, popular in warmer climates, is found in the household and outdoors and is extremely poisonous and harmful to dogs. The toxin in the plant toxin affects the gastrointestinal tract and liver. If ingested, symptoms may include bloody vomiting and diarrhea, damage to the stomach lining, bleeding disorders, neurological issues, liver failure, and even death. Immediate treatment is crucial to improve survival rates.
Tulips
If your dog likes to tiptoe (or trounce) through the tulips, be aware that ingestion of this plant with its toxic lactones will cause oral irritation, heavy drooling, and possibly vomiting. The bulbs are particularly dangerous and can lead to cardiac irregularities and difficulty breathing if consumed in large quantities.
Yew Tree
The ornamental Yew tree, whether English, European, or Japanese, contains the highly toxic compound taxine throughout the tree, including the bark, leaves, and seeds. The toxin disrupts the electrical signals in the heart, causing sudden death. If ingested by your pet, this tree may cause sudden death. Early symptoms include muscular tremors, labored breathing, and seizures. Just playing with the Yew tree’s branches or sticks can be fatal to your pet.
Prevention and Preparedness
As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” it remains sage advice to pet owners. Avoid having any of the above-mentioned plants in your home or property. You might schedule a walkthrough of your yard and residence with your favorite VIP Pet Sitter if you’re unsure about any of your foliage. If you have any toxic plants, make sure they are far out of reach of your pet. Understandably, you can’t watch your fur baby every minute of every day and can’t control what’s grown outside your home or yard. Your pet may come into contact with a poisonous plant. If this happens, quick action may prevent or lessen symptoms and ultimately save your pet.
Emergency Contact Information
Even if you only suspect that your cat or dog may have nibbled on a toxic plant, call your vet or one of the following helplines immediately:
- ASPCA Poison Control Hotline: 888-426-4435
- Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661
Have all of these numbers handy – posted close by your home phone or programmed into your mobile phone.
Enjoy the Outdoors with your Pets Safely
Now that you’re knowledgeable and prepared for possible plant poisoning emergencies, you can make the right choices for your gardens. For your Summer pet-sitting needs, visit VIP Pet Services. Then get out into the nice weather and enjoy it with your pet!
Sources:
Poison Point Helpline – https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/top-10-plants-poisonous-to-pets/
PetMed.com – https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/emergency/handling-pet-poisonings_ingestions
Healthy Pets – https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2016/08/26/toxic-and-poisonous-plants-to-pets.aspx
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