Although you might enjoy having beautiful plants around your home, it’s important to remember that not every plant is safe for pets. Many people are surprised to discover just how many everyday indoor and outdoor plants can be toxic to dogs. Before you plant, take a look at this list of a few of the plants that can be dangerous for dogs.
Common Outdoor Plants
If you have flowers, bushes or shrubs planted around your home, it’s likely that at least one or more of them could be toxic to your dog. For example, if your dog would happen to ingest some English ivy, he or she would be likely to experience vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. There are also a number of lily family members that can cause problems for dogs. Although chrysanthemums are beautiful, they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal upset if your dog were to eat them. The ever-popular hosta plant can cause a dog to experience vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.
Azalea and rhododendron bushes can be especially hazardous to dogs if eaten. Weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and a generalized depression of the dog’s central nervous system can result from eating plant material from these bushes. In fact, if your dog were to eat a lot of leaves from an azalea bush, coma, cardiovascular collapse or even death could occur. The yew is another plant that can be quite dangerous for dogs. If eaten, central nervous system problems such as trembling and coordination issues can occur. Your dog could also experience breathing difficulties, serious irritation to his or her gastrointestinal tract, or even cardiac failure leading to death. Even the everyday narcissus or tulip bulb can cause gastrointestinal problems or central nervous system problems in dogs.
Common Indoor Plants
In addition to being careful as to the kinds of plants you grow around your house and in your yard, it’s also important to pay attention to your houseplants. The amaryllis is a beautiful and very popular plant grown indoors, especially around Christmas and Easter. However, eating any part of the amaryllis plant can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and depression in your dog. The common pothos plant can be quite irritating to your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and oral tissues, resulting in significant swelling and general irritation. The schefflera plant contains substances that can result in severe irritation and burning of your dog’s mouth if he or she were to eat it. Other symptoms that can result from eating a schefflera plant include swallowing difficulties, excessive drooling and vomiting.
