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32 Common Poisonous Plants for Dogs

Poisonous plants for dogs are present year-round. Your garden, public parks, the neighbor’s house, and your friends, might have one or two plants that are particularly toxic to dogs if ingested.

Thankfully, most adult dogs generally aren’t lured to poisonous or toxic plants. Unless your begonias taste like bacon, your adult dog is not likely going to eat poisonous plants.

By the time you’ve finished reading this post, you’ll have a nice guide of the most common poisonous plants for dogs.

Keeping puppy away from poisonous plants

Puppies are like young babies who want/need to put everything in their mouths. That’s how they learn about the world around them. Unfortunately, that can be a hard lesson for everyone involved. 

However, even if your puppy does manage to ingest a small petal or stem, it’s likely he/she will only experience mild symptoms if any.   That said, please watch for side effects like the ones listed below.

The following is a sample of some of the more common poisonous plants for dogs that could be in your house or backyard. Keep in mind that some of these plants might have different blooming seasons depending on the geographical area/climate. 

SPRING

  • Amaryllis – also summer/winter 

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Vomiting, depression, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, drooling, loss of appetite, seizures

  • Begonia

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Severe burning of the lips and tongue, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting

  • Gardenia

TOXIC EFFECTS: Mild vomiting and diarrhea

  • Elephant Ears


TOXIC EFFECTS:  Irritation of the mouth, mouth pain, swelling of the lips and tongue, drooling a lot, vomiting, hard to swallow

  • Hellebore

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Tummy pain, diarrhea, depression, excessive drooling

  • Hyacinth

TOXIC EFFECTSIntense vomiting, diarrhea (could be bloody), tremors and depression

  • Larkspur

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Less toxic as they mature, could cause constipation, extra salivation, heart failure, respiratory system shut down.

A Trick to Avoid an Emergency Call

Again, it’s unlikely that an adult dog will purposely swallow the leaves, stems, or buds of most flowers, shrubs, or trees.  Unsupervised puppies, however, are another thing. 

It feels safe to let them run around your home but – like babies – there are some general dangers you should keep in mind. 

Get Low and Look Around!

Get down to the puppy’s level and have a look around.  Big leaves hanging from a plant? Petals from a flower vase that have come loose and drifted to the floor?  Pick them up or move them out of the house.  I’ve had to pry a puppy’s mouth open (gently) and pluck out a leaf or two now and then. They’re fast!

  • Tulips

TOXIC EFFECTS:  vomiting, depression, diarrhea, over salivation

SUMMER

  • Amaryllis

TOXIC EFFECTS: (see Spring)

  • Philodendron

TOXIC EFFECTS: drooling, pawing at the mouth, mouth pain, low appetite and vomiting

  • Eucalyptus

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Salvation, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and weakness

  • Gardenia

TOXIC EFFECTS:  mild vomiting and diarrhea

  • Sago Palm

TOXIC EFFECTS: vomiting, jaundice, thirstier than usual, internal bleeding, easily bruised, liver damage, deatT

The YUCK Factor

Plants that are poisonous to dogs will not be particularly tasty to a dog, so it’s likely they’ll spit it out before swallowing. BUT, there are always those not-so-discerning dogs that will literally eat just out anything in front of them.  If that sounds like your dog, I’m afraid you’re going to have to keep a pretty close eye on him.

  • Apple Tree

TOXIC EFFECT: Red mucous membranes, look for dilated pupils and difficulty breathing. The dog might be panting and could go into shock. Note: Leave, stems, and seeds all contain cyanide and especially toxic when in the wilting stage.

  • Oleander

TOXIC EFFECTS: Bloody diarrhea, sweating, unsteady on feet, shallow breathing, muscle tremors.  Note:  Large ingestion can cause death.

  • Boxwood

TOXIC EFFECTS: Heart & Lung congestion, liver and kidney failure

  • Branching Ivy

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Vomiting, abdominal pain, drooling excessively, diarrhea.  Note:  Foliage especially toxic.

  • California Ivy

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Vomiting, Abdominal pain, drooling, diarrhea

  • Cardinal Flowers

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Depression, diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, abdominal pain, heart rhythm disturbance

  • Chamomile

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Dermatitis (allergic reaction), vomiting, diarrhea, anorexiT

  • Fiddle Leaf

TOXIC EFFECTS:  Oral irritation, intense mouth burning, drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

  • Household Poisons

The biggest threat to all dogs are the chemical poisons that are so readily available. 

If a dog swallows any amount of antifreeze, it should be considered an emergency.  Antifreeze has a sweet quality to it that lures dogs and it’s easy as lapping up some that have leaked into puddles.

  • Lemon Grass

TOXIC EFFECTS: Mild Stomach Upset

  • Mayweed

TOXIC EFFECTS: Contact dermatitis, vomiting, diarrhea, no appetite

  • Ornamental Peppers

TOXIC EFFECTS: Upset stomach to more severe ulceration of the gastrointestinal system, seizures, depression, respiratory failure, shock

  • Wisteria

TOXIC EFFECTS: vomiting (sometimes bloody), diarrhea, depression

Rat poison is another one that’s highly dangerous.  Food isn’t always food. There have been instances where people have purposely put rat poison inside a steak, or some other type of food to possibly kill wildlife.  Unfortunately, that attempt usually only endangers household pets. 

  • Yarrow

TOXIC EFFECTS: vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, excessive drooling

FALL/WINTER/YEAR-ROUND

  • English Ivy

TOXIC EFFECTS: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain

  • Amaryllis

TOXIC EFFECTS:  (See Spring and/or Summer)

  • Hosta (year-round depending on the type of Hosta)

TOXIC EFFECTS: vomiting, diarrhea, depression

  • Arrowhead Plant (INDOOR – All year)

TOXIC EFFECTS:  vomiting, depression, diarrhea, low appetite, chills, urine may change color

  • Apple Tree (particularly the leaves, stems, and seeds of the Crab Apple Tree)

TOXIC EFFECTS: Red mucous membranes, pupils may be dilated, difficulty breathing and chock

  • Burning Bush 

TOXIC EFFECTS:  See Summer

  • Oleander 

TOXIC EFFECTS:  See Summer

The bottom line is keeping our dogs safe, whether it’s potentially poisonous plants, food, or chemicals around the house. 

We both know that dogs are a huge responsibility, but a fulfilling one. They trust us with their lives, and we trust them with our hearts.

There’s no need to be constantly on edge when it comes to poisonous plants around the house and garden. The important thing is to just be aware of what your healthy adult dog is up to.  Puppies?  That’s another story.

You’re going to have to be the 24/7 monitor – at least until they get a little more savvy with the world around them.

 

Thank you!

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Questions for me:  Email me directly: latheriault@hugspetproducts.com

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