We love our fur-babies, don’t we? And most of us know chocolate and grapes are no-nos for dogs. But have you thought about outside? If you have a pet who gets into things, you may want to avoid the following plants, or make them inaccessible to your four-legged friend. Generally, please don’t allow your pets to eat any plants, just in case. But these are known to cause issues. . .
20 Plants to Avoid
Aloe Vera: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, change in urine color, anorexia, depression and tremors.
Amaryllis: Often used indoors for the holiday season, but still common outdoors. The bulbs have the highest concentration of toxins. Causes diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, hyper-salivation, depression and tremors.
Begonia: popular for containers especially. Can cause irritation (including intense burning) in the mouth, lips and tongue, vomiting, difficulty swallowing and drooling.
Chrysanthemum (Mums): Can cause diarrhea, vomiting, skin irritation, hypersalivation and possible depression and loss of coordination. Rarely fatal.
Cyclamen: Popular container flowers. Causes gastrointestinal distress including severe vomiting; possibly fatal.
Daffodil (Narcissus): The bulbs are the most toxic portion of these spring lovelies. Consuming them can cause vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, hypersalivation, even convulsions and heart arrhythmias.
Easter Cactus: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression. Cats can also exhibit staggering.
Hosta: These shade queens can induce vomiting, diarrhea and depression.
Hyacinth: can cause diarrhea, severe vomiting, tremors and depression.
Ivy: The berries are less toxic than the foliage. Consumption can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and hypersalivation.
Lilies: Not toxic to dogs, but can cause kidney failure in cats.
Milkweed: The monarch butterflies will thank you for planting this, but please keep it away from your dogs and cats! Can cause vomiting, severe depression, diarrhea, anorexia, weakness and possibly seizures, rapid weak pulse, pupil dilation, difficulty breathing, coma, liver or kidney failure, and even death.
Oleander: Very toxic (even to horses). Can cause diarrhea (may be bloody), colic, sweating, shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, muscle tremors and weakness, and potentially cardiac failure and death.
Peace Lily: Can cause vomiting, diarrhea and oral ulcers.
Poinsettia: Mostly mild symptoms: mouth and stomach irritation; may cause vomiting.
Rhododendron/Azalea: Very common, and highly toxic to dogs, cats and livestock—it doesn’t take much to create symptoms. Can cause death (often not immediately), serious digestion issues, diarrhea, colic, loss of appetite, excessive drooling, paralysis in the legs, weak heart rate, loss of coordination and more.
Sago Palm: Seeds are especially toxic. Consumption can cause vomiting, increased thirst, digested blood in feces, and jaundice. Can also lead to hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, inability for blood to clot, liver damage, liver failure and death.
Tomato Plants: The plant itself is the problem here, not the tomatoes. Generally not fatal, but consumption can lead to hypersalivation, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, drowsiness, lack of appetite, depression, slow heart rate, dilated pupils, general weakness and behavioral changes.
Tulips: can cause diarrhea, severe vomiting, depression, hypersalivation, lack of appetite.
Yew: Consumption can lead to central nervous system symptoms (difficulty breathing, trembling, lack of coordination) and gastrointestinal distress, and cardiac failure leading to death.
Of course we can’t monitor our pets 24/7, but knowing your animal’s habits and taking a few precautions will allow you all to enjoy your yard without placing your fur-baby (or someone else’s) in harm’s way!
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