Dogs are curious creatures, using their senses to explore the area around them. Unfortunately, this can mean that sometimes they sniff, lick or even eat things that they shouldn’t, and in some cases, food, plants or substances that are actually toxic to them.
For many people, houseplants and outdoor greenery are much-loved additions to their home environment. Unfortunately, some owners, especially those who are new to caring for a dog, don’t know a large number of indoor and outdoor plants and flowers are poisonous to animals. Your canine pal doesn’t necessarily have to chow down directly on the plant to be affected either, poisoning can actually occur from touching the leaves, sap or juices, ingesting any fruit, roots or the soil that the toxic plant is in, and drinking water from the plant tray.
As part of Poison Prevention Awareness Month, we have put together this short guide of the most common indoor and outdoor plants that could put your dog at risk.
Common household plants that are toxic to dogs
Many of us like to have plants and flowers inside our home. They add a touch of freshness and some can smell lovely. However, many people don’t know that a wide variety of indoor plants can be toxic to their furbaby and can cause them to develop a range of unpleasant, painful and sometimes debilitating symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rate, weakness and seizures. In some cases, a pet who has consumed a large dose of a toxic houseplant may not recover.
Some of the most common poisonous houseplants that you should avoid having in your home include:
- Aloe Vera
- Asparagus Fern
- Arrowhead Plant
- Bird of Paradise
- Caladium (also known as Elephant Ear)
- Corn Plant
- Daffodil
- Dieffenbachia
- Hyacinth
- Jade
- All types of Lily and Lily of the Valley
- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (also known as Snake Plant)
- Philodendron
- Pothos Ivy (aka Devil’s Ivy)
- Sago Palm
- Tulip
- Zamioculcas (aka ZZ Plant)
Common outdoor plants that are toxic to dogs
Your backyard may present a fun and exciting place for your canine companion to explore, but if you aren’t aware which plants and flowers you have, it could quickly become a dangerous and even deadly playground. We recommend that you avoid using these plants, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, trees and flowers as much as possible. If you have any of them present around your home, ensure you supervise your pet properly when she is outside.
- Amaryllis
- Apple Tree
- Apricot Tree
- Asparagus Fern
- Autumn Crocus
- Bead Tree
- Begonia
- Bleeding Heart
- Burning Bush
- Buttercup
- Castor Bean
- Chamomile
- Cherry Tree
- Chives
- Chrysanthemum
- Clematis
- Cyclamen
- Daffodil
- Foxglove
- Garlic
- Geranium
- Gladiola
- Hops
- Hosta
- Hydrangea
- Iris
- Ivy
- Laceflower
- Larkspur
- Leeks
- Lily
- Lily of the Valley
- Marijuana
- Monkshood
- Morning Glory
- Oleander
- Onions and Shallots
- Peach Tree
- Periwinkle
- Plum Tree
- Primrose
- Rhubarb
- Star of Bethlehem
- Sweet Pea
- Tomato Plants
- Tulip
- Winterberry Holly
- Wisteria
- Yarrow
- Yew
If you have any further concerns about the toxicity of household and garden plants, trees, flowers and more, our dedicated team of experienced veterinary professionals would be delighted to assist you. We are your trusted Veterinarian in Memphis, TN and provide a personalized and dedicated service to our customers and their humans. Want to learn more about us and read reviews? Look up vets near me read our 5-star reviews. Give us a call and speak to one of the Memphis Animal Clinic veterinarians for advice.
