Plants That Can Poison Your Dog

Dogs love to explore and try the flavors of life they encounter along the way. While it is natural for dogs to sample berries and plants they encounter, it is imperative to keep in mind that there are some plants that can poison your dog.

There are in fact two distinct areas where plants that can poison your dog can be found, inside your home and in the great outdoors.

Indoors, the primary concern is house plants, such as mistletoe and poinsettia. Be careful not to place plants that can poison your dog inside your home

Outdoors, the exploring pooch has a tendency to taste berries, plants and roots that can cause gastro intestinal discomfort and can be poison to your dog.

What are the most common plants that can poison your dog?

Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist & ASPCA Senior Vice President, explains that the following are the most common plants that can poison your dog.

o Sago Palm- All parts of this plant can be poison to your dog but the seeds are the most poisonous. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

o Tulip-The bulb is poison to your dog and can cause gastrointestinal distress, drooling, decreased appetite, nervous system problems, convulsions and heart problems

o Azalea/Rhododendron-The substance which is poisonous in this plant to your dog causes vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness nervous system abnormal, coma and can even be fatal.

o Oleander-All of the oleander is poison to your dog and cause gastrointestinal distress, cardiac problems, hypothermia and can be fatal.

o Castor Bean -Ricin, found in the castor bean can cause stomach pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness, decreased appetite, dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and can be fatal.

o Cyclamen-The poison in this plant is found mostly in the root and can cause vomiting and be fatal to your pooch.

o Kalanchoe-This poison plant can cause gastrointestinal and cardiac distress.

o Yew-This poison plant can cause trembling, problems with coordination, breathing problems, stomach problems, heart failure and can be fatal.

o Amaryllis -Common garden plants popular around Easter, Amaryllis species contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hyper salivation, anorexia and tremors.

o English or Glacier Ivy -This poison plant can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hyper salivation and diarrhea.

o Autumn Crocus -This poison plant can cause irritation to the mouth, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, organ damage and bone marrow problems.

o Chrysanthemum -This plant which is poison to your dog can cause stomach upset, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, depression and problems with coordination.

o Peace Lily -This poison plant can produce irritation to the mouth, lips and tongue, drooling, vomiting, and problems swallowing.

o Pothos -This poison plant swollen oral tissues problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

o Schefflera -This poison plant can cause irritation in the dog's mouth, drooling, vomiting, problems swallowing and brining to your dog's mouth, lips and tongue.

o Marijuana-If your dog eats marijuana it can cause in depression and problems with coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, elevated cardiac rate, seizures and coma.

Now that you know which plants are poison you are probably wondering-

How to discourage outdoor sampling of plants that can poison your dog.
Your dog's diet may lacking in fiber and this may the reason that he is eating plants that he discovers outdoors. You might try adding some veggie fiber.

You should also keep a close eye on him and stop your dog from eating plants that can be poison during walks and outdoor play times.

You should also keep in mind that there are plants which are most commonly associated with holiday celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, and these can be especially toxic to Fido. Following are some common:

Holiday Plants that are Poison to Dogs
o Holly, a popular Christmas plant can produce nausea vomiting and diarrhea. Mental depression can also occur.

o Amaryllis. Discussed above this poison Easter plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression lack of appetite, tremors, drooling and stomach pain.

o Mistletoe. This plant, which is poison to your dog can produce vomiting and diarrhea, stomach pain, breathing problems, lowered cardiac rate, collapse and can be fatal.

o Poinsettias-This poison plant can cause vomiting, anorexia and depression.

What to Do if Your Dog Eats or Chews on a Poison Plant
Pickup some of the poison plant and place it in a bag . Collect any samples of vomit in a container for your veterinarian to examine.

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. The telephone number is (888) 426-4435.
If your pooch is having seizures, or becoming unconscious, or is having difficulty breathing, call your veterinarian immediately and head for an emergency veterinary hospital without a moments delay. Your dog's life is at stake and time is of the essence !