Common Garden Plants Can Make Your Dog Sick
Many Plants are Deadly if Ingested, So Check Your Yard for Danger
Puppies and even some adult dogs just love to treat the flower bed as an all-you-can-eat brunch. However, many common plants that people grow in their gardens or yards can cause serious illness or even death if swallowed.
People living in warm climates have more types of plants to worry about, because of the greater variety of species. In Canada and other colder areas, there are fewer garden plants to choose from. But no matter where you live, there are still a great many dangers awaiting the average dog in almost any back yard.
Not all toxic plants cause the same reaction. Depending on the chemical in the plant, ingesting it can cause heart or respiratory problems, stomach upset, excessive salivation, seizures, shock or any combination of these. The most toxic can kill a dog very quickly.
Here are some common plants you should remove from your yard if your dog has access to them. A lot of them are unsafe for children, too.
Shrubs and Ornamentals Toxic For Dogs
Even a dog that normally leaves shrubs and plants alone may pick up clippings or sticks from the ground and ingest the poison.
Azaleas, rhododendrons and oleander are all potentially dangerous, affecting the heart. While some varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons are safe, don’t take a chance. If you don’t know for sure, remove them.
Nandina, a type of bamboo, contains cyanide.
Holly, black locust, oak, elderberry, golden chain, wisteria, yew and many trees that produce nuts (and the nuts themselves) are not safe. Macadamia nuts especially can be lethal for your dog.
Flowers and Vegetables That Are Poisonous For Dogs
People growing native species may have jack-in-the-pulpit or mayapple. Both are extremely toxic. Buttercups also are toxic, but not nearly as dangerous.
Other garden plants to avoid include bleeding heart, monkshood, larkspur, foxglove, ivy, eucalyptus, most lilies, lily of the valley, iris, clematis, chrysanthemum and primrose.
In some cases, it is just the bulb that is toxic. This is the case with daffodils, tulips, elephant ears, hyacinth, and gladioli. If your dog is a “gardener”, don’t plant these where he can get at them.
Rhubarb is dangerous for dogs. Many seeds are unsafe, including apple seeds and the pits of cherries, peaches and apricots, all of which contain cyanide. Peach leaves are also bad. Unripe berries aren’t good, either. A dog that eats too many grapes or raisins (one handful is too many) can develop acute kidney failure.
Most dogs love ripe tomatoes, but green tomatoes and tomato stems and leaves are toxic. And don’t let your dog eat raw onions! They are extremely toxic to dogs in even in very small doses.
What to Do if Your Dog is Poisoned
If you think your dog has eaten something poisonous, grab a sample of the plant he was eating or chewing on and take the dog and the sample to your veterinarian right away. If he has vomited, put a plastic bag over your hand, collect the vomit, turn the bag inside out so the sample is now inside, tie the bag shut and take that, too.
If your dog is having seizures, is in distress or unconscious, call ahead so the vet will be ready when you arrive.
You can also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Centre at the University of Illinois at 888-426-4435. There is a $60 consultation fee, but the Centre is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
More Information
The American Animal Hospital Association has a highly detailed list of unsafe plants that also indicates which are most toxic and what effect each plant has.
A list of safe plants is available on-line at the ASPCA Poison Control Centre.
Sources:
Cornell University Department of Animal Science
Ontario Veterinary Medical Association
Pet Health Library
Texas Farm Bureau
Puppies can't resist chewing on flowers.
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Even old dogs sometimes sample berries.
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