Many pet owners are unaware of the dangers posed by indoor and outdoor plants. Some garden and house plants can be lethal to your pet even in very small amounts. If you own pets you should take some time to familiarize yourself with potentially deadly plants that are highly toxic to animals.
Many plants are toxic during certain stages in the growth cycle, while in the case of others only the leaves, bark, roots, fruit or stems may contain harmful toxins. The vet or local plant nursery should be able to provide you with important information about various plants. The internet and many gardening books also provide valuable resources.
Indoor Plants: Many plants including philodendron, ivy, pothos, dieffenbachia, ferns and poinsettias can be highly toxic to dogs. Tobacco plants, peace lilies and corn plants are also very harmful to dogs as well.
Common Garden Plants: Many common plants found in gardens can be very dangerous to dogs. Tomato plants are highly poisonous to dogs as is St. John’s Wort, a plant used in many herbal remedies. Other common garden plants that can cause serious problems in your pet include:
. Apricot
· Avocados
· Black Cherry
· Black Walnut
· Castor Beans
· Catnip (nice for cats only)
· Chokecherry
· Eggplants
· Garlic
· Certain Mushrooms
· Mustard plants
· Onions
· Peach
· Plums
· Potatoes
· Pokeweed
· Spinach
Dangerous Outdoor Plants: Most people take a lot of pride in their yards but they may be unaware of the dangers posed by certain ornamental plants. Some of the most attractive plants can be lethal to your dog such as Oleander and many other flowering shrubs. Here is a list of dangerous ornamental and flowering plants commonly planted in yards:
· Amaryllis
. African Daisy
· Baby’s Breath
· Bird of Paradise
. Bitter Pecan
· Bleeding Heart
. Blooming Sally
· Bluebonnet
· Boston Ivy
· Calla Lilly
· Chrysanthemums
· Daffodils
· Daisies
· Elephant Ear
· Ferns
· Flamingo plant
· Geranium
. Grape Hyacinth
· Hyacinth
· Hydrangea
· Ivy
. Kenya Violet
· Jade plant
· Lantana
· Larkspur
. Magnolia Bush
· Marigold
· Morning Glory
. Sand Lily
· Peony
. Honey Suckle
. Petunia
. Pot Marigold
· Primrose
· Rhododendron
. Scarlet Orchid
. Sunflower
·Tiger Lily
. Wild Strawberry
· Yucca
If you suspect your dog has ingested a poisonous plant get him to the veterinarian immediately. Take a piece of the plant such as the leaf, flower and stem with you to allow the vet to identify the plant.
