by
Petsecure Pet Heath Insurance
| Apr 06, 2010
Spring is here and your plants will soon be inbloom. As the weather warms up and your furry loved ones are excited from head to tail to go and adventure the outdoors, it’s important to know what plants are harmful to your pets and which ones you may want to avoid planting in your backyard.
There are numerous types of plants that can cause symptoms from gastrointestinal upset (tummy aches) all the way to an unexpected death. Below are plants that are considered very toxic and can result in severe illness or even death. Please note that this is not the entire list of toxic plants out there, but rather a few we wanted to highlight.
Petsecure Toxic Plant List
Azalea - This plant (also known as Rhododendron) is one of the most dangerous to cats and dogs. Clinical effects typically occur within a few hours after ingestion, and can include digestive upset, excessive drooling, loss of appetite, frequent bowel movements/diarrhea, depression, weakness, loss of coordination, leg paralysis and a weak heart rate.
- Bittersweet nightshade - Not only poisonous to our pets, but can also be poisonous for humans, and many kids are attracted to it for the brightly coloured berries it produces.
- Clematis - Toxic to dogs and cats and symptoms include salivation, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Crocus - The bulbs of a crocus can cause an upset stomach, liver failure, shock, lethargy and death to both cats and dogs.
Daffodil - This plant (also known as Narcissus) can cause vomiting, salvation, diarrhea, low blood pressure, tremours and cardiac arrhythmias. The bulbs are the most poisonous part but you should avoid having this plant anywhere near your furry
loved ones.
- Day Lily, Tiger Lily and Easter Lily - All three of these lily types are non-toxic to dogs but may cause vomiting, kidney failure and even death in cats.
- Eucalyptus - Toxic to dogs and cats and clinical signs may include salivation, vomiting, diarrheas, depression and weakness.
Geraniums - Although this popular plant does not cause death, because so many people plant geraniums, it’s important to note that if ingested, Geraniums can still cause depression, vomiting and anorexia in both dogs and cats.
- Iris - Can cause salivation, vomiting, drooling, lethargy and diarrhea in both cats
and dogs.
- Morning Glory - Another plant that is very toxic to dogs and cats with clinical signs that may include gastrointestinal upset, agitation, tremours, disorientation, ataxia and anorexia. Morning Glory seeds may cause hallucination and diarrhea.
Sometimes the entire plant is not completely toxic and only the seeds, stems or roots are. It’s important to know what plant your pet could have ingested so you can let your veterinary practice know. If you don’t know the name of the plant, make sure to bring a sample so your veterinarian can determine if the plant is harmful to your furry friend.
Looking for more information?
The ASPCA has an in-depth list of toxic and non-toxic plants separated by dog and cat. This list gives pictures and descriptions of each plant and the clinical signs that can happen if your pet ingests part of the substance.
This list is available on their website here or by visiting http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/.
If you have any questions about plants we’ve listed, feel free to leave a question and we will get our Chief In-House Veterinary Officer, Dr. Lynn Webster to reply.
* Thanks to our good friends at PetPlace.com and ASPCA for providing the lists of toxic plants mentioned in our Blog post.