Now that it’s almost July, and there has been a ton of rain, many of our gardens, yards and trails are full of plants of every kind! Can all of these plants coexist peacefully with our pets? Luckily, if you keep your grass and gardens maintained, you will know what’s around and can make sure there is nothing harmful to your pets.
If you have a vegetable garden, don’t worry! The majority of common veggies and herbs are totally harmless for your pets. Trees (other than apples and oak trees ), ferns and vines also pose no threat to your dog and cats well being.
Here are some common plants that are TOXIC for dogs
Azalea- Just a few leaves can cause extreme vomiting and diarrhea.
Daffodil - Causes vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions (all parts of the plant)
Tulip - Causes oral irritation and excessive drooling
Any plant in the Chrysanthemum family - causes vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and incoordination
Peonies- causes vomiting, diarrhea and decreased energy
Irises - Can cause skin irritation as well as salivation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and decreased energy
Foxglove- every part of this plant is extremely toxic to dogs. Causes cardiac failure and even death
Hostas - Causes vomiting, diarrhea and bloating
Unfortunately, when you’re hiking you can’t control the plants that are in the area. The best thing you can do is interrupt your dogs when it goes to eat something. Kicking this habit in your own backyard will be helpful when you’re out and about!
So what should you do if your dog is exhibiting these symptoms? The first thing you should do is identify if you have any plants that are toxic to dogs in your backyard or house. If they have, contact your vet and let them know which plant it is. Depending on the plant, they may have you induce vomiting, however for some forms of toxicity, this might make matters worse so your vet will have other recommendations. If you have been to an unfamiliar area, contact your vet.
If you would like to identify some foliage, there are many apps that can give you a proper identification. A google image search can also prove to be very helpful!
