The Most Toxic Plants for Dogs
Spring is a time for blooming flowers, frolicking in fields, and planting new additions to gardens. But, if you’re a dog owner, you need to be thinking about what plants are toxic to your canine companion. While there are a lot of dog-friendly plants out there, but also ones that are extremely toxic! It’s essential to know the difference as it could be life-threatening to your furry friend. Here’s a list of some of the most common and toxic plants to keep away from Fido!
Pothos
Nicknamed the Devil’s Ivy, Pothos is a very popular houseplant to have as it’s relatively low maintenance and visually appealing! You can recognize it by the heart-shaped leaves and cascading vines. Unfortunately, Pothos leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals. These tiny crystals cause extreme irritation, burning, and swelling if ingested. Signs your pup may have ingested these leaves are drooling, swelling of the tongue, and pawing at the mouth.
Cyclamen
This plant, also known as the Persian Violet, has beautifully vivid flowers in the Winter, but can be very toxic to dogs! Throughout the plant, but especially in the root, are Triterpenoid saponins which can cause extremely high heart rates and seizures when consumed in large amounts. Smaller consumption can cause vomitting and abdominal pain in pups.
Peace Lily
Peacy Lily plants have a very enticing name, but don’t be followed as they can, unfortunately, cause harm to animals. The lilies themselves are popular due to the low maintenance growing (dim light) and filtering air pollutants. But, the majority of the plant contains calcium oxalate and the pollen produced is a strong irritant to dogs. Signs of consumption are oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting. Check out this guide for recommendations on home air purifiers that are safe for Fido!
Sago Palm
Sago Palm plants are inherently dangerous to pets and shouldn’t be in the home at all if you have a canine companion. Many Sago Palm plants are grown outdoors in warm climates (be sure to be on the lookout while on walks) but are also common in households as a tropical decor. Small consumption (1-2 seeds) can be fatal or cause immense liver damage. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you think they’ve ingested even the smallest amount of the Sago Palm.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a great plant to have in the house if you live in a warm climate and get sunburnt frequently. But, the plant can be dangerous for your furry friend! The spikey leaves on the succulent can cause vomiting and diarrhea if ingested. Stick to topical aloe vera to avoid this danger and be sure your dog stays far from the topical gel!
Plants can add a breath of fresh air to your house, but just be sure to know the difference between safe and toxic plants! Your dog will thank you and you will avoid any unnecessary vet visits by being precautious. Read this list for any plant recommendations for your dog-friendly household!