Plants That Are Hazardous to Your Dog

Do you know that there are many plants that are hazardous to your dog? Many plants, both indoor and outdoor, are actually poisonous to dogs (and other pets). They may either induce allergens, or even intoxicate your dog, which can lead to large medical costs and possible death. This is why we should be responsible with the plants we own inside and outside the house, and keep such plants away from our dogs, because they are curious by nature and might get attracted to them at some point. You can also limit your dog when he goes outside, especially if you have a green garden full of plants that can be dangerous to your dog. Try setting up an area of his own and keep him busy there.

If you suspect that your dog has been poisoned by a plant toxin, call your local vet immediately for medication. Things can get worse if you don’t get him immediate treatment. To prevent this, here is a partial listing of plants that are hazardous to your dog that you need to watch for and keep away from your four-legged buddies:

• Onions, Garlic, Chives, Leeks and Shallots: Never feed your dog with any of these. They contain sulfur compounds that can poison dogs. These are the symptoms of ingestion:
  • Blood in the urine
  • Anemia
  • Vomiting
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Nausea
• Daylilies, Saffron, and Trout lilies: poisonous due to their colchiline toxin. Here are the symptoms:
  • Organ Damage
  • Bone marrow problems
  • Bloody Vomit
• Aloe Vera: while Aloe Vera is an effective herbal medicine for humans, it’s just the opposite for dogs. Saponins from either the leaves or the gel can poison a dog. Here are the symptoms that can occur:
  • Diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Depression
  • Dark urine
  • Muscle spasm

• Azaleas and rhododendrons: they may be colorful in gardens, but they are extremely poisonous to dogs. Even a small amount ingested can lead to death. Here are other symptoms:
  • Paralysis
  • Vomiting
  • Coma
  • Heart Failure
  • Diarrhea
  • Lethargy
• Amaryllis, Daffodils, Narcissus, and Lilies: these contain “Lycorine”, which is known to be toxic to both humans and animals. Here are the symptoms:
  • Nausea
  • Muscle spasms
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight loss
  • Depression
• Daisies, Chrysanthemums, Bittersweets, and Mums: these flowers contain pyrethins and sesquiterpene which can cause the following:
  • Drooling
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin Rashes
• Yellow Oleander, Dogbane, Lilly of the Valley, Burning Bush: these and many others contain Cardenolides and are poisonous to dogs and other animals. Here are some symptoms:
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting
  • Coma
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
• Foxglove: this contains digitalis, which is commonly used to regulate a human heart’s function, but it can poison dogs. Following are symptoms of poisoning by digitalis:
  • Heart failure
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Lethargy

The best precaution is not to let your dog get near plants so they don’t get the chance to eat any, for as you can see, there are lots and lots of plants that are hazardous to your dog. The above list is not intended to be all-inclusive by any means. If your dog has ingested some of a plant, and you have a question about the plant’s effect on your dog, check out the ASPCA list here, or try to Google it, or check with your vet. Of course, if the dog starts exhibiting any of the above symptoms, don’t wait — get him to the vet or animal hospital right away.

Does your dog eat grass? Normally that is not a problem — it helps the dog cleanse its system, just like cats. However, if any of the above symptoms start to appear after the dog eats some grass, check with your vet right away to see if an office visit is indicated.

Please share any experiences below if your dog has ingested any plants.