Roses are red, 

Violets are blue, 

How do you choose

What flowers to use?

Pops of color are soon to be seen everywhere and while the flowers look pretty, they can mean trouble for your pet. Many of our common garden plants are actually poisonous to our pets, resulting in symptoms from vomiting to irregular heartbeats. As a pet owner, being aware of the flowers and plants that can cause harm to your furry friend is the best defense you can provide. Although we at Going Mutts are no medical or plant experts, we do want pet parents to be aware of some of the common poisonous plants that can be found in and around gardens and how they can affect your favorite canine friend. 

1. Autumn Crocus 

Toxic part: all parts of the crocus are toxic (this is a highly toxic plant)

Symptoms: severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage and respiratory failure

Special note: there is a crocus that blooms in the spring that pet parents need to watch out for; these are more common and can cause gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhea. Signs of poisoning for both flowers can be seen immediately or can be delayed for days.

2. Azalea & Rhododendron

Toxic part: 

Azalea: leaves, petals and pollen of the bush

Rhododendron: leaves, stems and blooms

Symptoms: drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system; severe poisoning from both plants can lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.

Special note: plants from the Azalea and Rhododendron families contain the same neurotoxin called grayanotoxins; this neurotoxin makes these plants highly poisonous when ingested by your pet.

3. Chrysanthemum

Toxic part: all parts are toxic, especially the flower heads

Symptoms: drooling, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes and gastrointestinal upset; more severe symptoms include depression and loss of coordination in your pet if enough of the plant is consumed.

Special note: these are a very popular flower to plant in gardens.

4. Daffodil

Toxic part: the bulb, plant or flower

Symptoms: severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and possibly cardiac arrhythmias

Special note: severe tissue irritation from crystals that can be found on the outer layer of the bulbs.

5. English Ivy

Toxic part: all parts of the ivy plant contain toxins, but they are most concentrated in the leaves

Symptoms: vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive salivation and diarrhea

Special note: this is a common indoor plant that is also referred to as California or sweetheart ivy.

6. Lily of the Valley 

Toxic part: any part of the plant can cause poisoning symptoms

Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in heart rate, severe cardiac arrhythmias and possible seizures

Special note: this type of lily is a common landscaping plant, but is very different from the true lily species and does not result in severe kidney failure, but is still very poisonous to pets.

7. Oleander

Toxic part: the whole plant, from the petals to the pointy, long leaves

Symptoms: changes in heart rate and rhythm, diarrhea, stomach pain and drooling

Special note: this flower can be fatal.

8. Sago Palm

Toxic part: the entire Sago Palm is poisonous to pets but the seeds or ‘nuts’ of the plant contain the largest amount of toxins

Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, liver failure and potentially death

Special note: the Sago Palm is a popular landscape plant in the southern U.S. and a houseplant in colder climates.

9. Tomato Plant

Toxic part: the plant itself is very toxic

Symptoms: excessive salivation, severe upset stomach, depression, weakness, dilated pupils and a slow heart rate

Special note: with this being a popular vegetable to plant in gardens during the warm weather, the actual tomatoes are not poisonous to pets.

10. Tulip and Hyacinth

Toxic part: the bulb part

Symptoms if ingested: drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and cardiac abnormalities; large amounts ingested can lead to an increase in heart rate and changes in respiration.

Special note: chewing the bulbs can result in tissue irritation to your pets mouth and their esophagus.

If your pet has ingested a plant that is poisonous, there are three steps you can follow to help them out:

1. Put your pet in a safe space. Get your pet away from the plant and toxin so no more of it can be ingested. If you have any other animals, keep them in a safe space away from the plant in question. Take a picture of the plant and take a mental note of the name (if you know it) to help your veterinarian out.

2. Call the vet ASAP! Even if your pet is acting normal or you think they only got a teeny tiny piece of the plant in question, call your veterinarian. It is better to be safe than sorry and it will give you peace of mind.

3. Try to keep your pet from grooming themselves. Rubbing up against some poisonous plants can cause toxins to transfer to your pets fur, so try to keep them from licking themselves. A bath may be necessary to get chemicals off of the fur, but check with your veterinarian first before proceeding. 

It’s important to understand that some symptoms can show up in a matter of minutes while others may show in a couple of hours; either way, you should always call your veterinarian as soon as possible if you are concerned. Pet parents also need to be aware that ingesting toxins is not the only way a plant can harm your pet; simply brushing up against certain plants can be just as harmful. Dermatological symptoms of a pet coming into contact with a plant containing poisonous chemicals includes rashes, blisters and itchiness.

So as you begin to let your garden grow, make sure you’re aware of what plants will give your canine friend a hard time if consumed. You can find a complete list of toxic and non-toxic plants on the ASPCA website. Remember, even if you’re not sure how much your pet may have ingested from a plant, calling your veterinarian right away is better than waiting until it’s too late.

You know what’s a great non-toxic activity for your dog? Walking! Yup, daily dog walks are definitely non-toxic and a great way to get your dog the outside time they need in the warm weather. Going Mutts Pet Services would love to help you and your canine friend out → so let us help get those winter wiggles out of your pup by contacting us for a free Meet ‘n Greet!

Sources:

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/seasons/spring/

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/how-to-tell-if-your-dog-has-eaten-a-poisonous-plant-050316.html

https://www.thespruce.com/plants-poisonous-to-dogs-2132451

https://www.southernliving.com/garden/flowers/pet-friendly-plants