Written By: Rachel Holly
You’re diligent about keeping the medications hidden and the garlic and xylitol products out of the way of your pets. But there may be a potential toxin in your home and yard that could harm your dog that you’d never think twice about: plants. In fact, plants rank among the top five toxins on the annual ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s Top Ten Toxins.
While some plants can make your dog mildly sick, other plants can kill. The ASPCA has a comprehensive list containing hundreds of poisonous plants including links to each detailing the symptoms they can produce. Also included is a list of non-toxic safe plants on the same page. We encourage you to have a look at the entire list to see if any of them are in your home but here are some of the most common plants that are toxic to canines.
Common Toxic Plants:
Aloe
Amaryllis
Asparagus Fern
Azalea
Begonia
Bird of Paradise
Burning Bush
Buttercup
Chrysanthemum
Clematis
Cut Leaf Philodendron
Cyclamen
Daffodils
Dumbcane
Elephant’s Ear
Ferns
Gardenia
Gladiola
Holly
Hosta
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Ivy
Jade
Lavender
Lily of the Valley
Mint
Mistletoe
Morning Glory
Mushrooms
Oleander
Poinsettias
Rhododendron
Sago Palm
Snake Plant
Tulips
Yews
Keep in mind it’s not just the plant that can be toxic . Blooms, berries, roots, and bulbs can be as toxic as the plants themselves. And it’s not just dogs that are in danger; dozens of plants are toxic to cats too.
Symptoms of Plant Toxicity:
The severity of the symptoms depends on a number of factors. What your dog may exhibit depends on the specific plant and the amount ingested, as well as the part of the plant your dog has consumed. Your dog’s size and overall health will also influence how they respond to the toxin.
Symptoms include :
Diarrhea with or without blood in the stool
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Staggering/ lack of balance
Lethargy
Weakness
Drooling
What to do if you suspect your dog has eaten a poisonous plant:
Try to identify what plant was eaten. While “toxic” has a wide definition of being “harmful” and some plants only cause mild sickness, others are deadly. Knowing which plant your pet ate will help tremendously. If you can’t identify it, take a picture or take off a leaf for your vet to see. Contact your vet as soon as you suspect your dog has eaten a toxic plant. For off-hours, head to your local animal hospital. You can also get help from the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
To avoid an emergency that doesn’t need to occur, just remove any potentially toxic plants from your house and yard. It’s the safest bet, The ASPCA list of non-toxic plants gives you a large selection of pet-safe alternatives to choose from.
