Popular Plants Poisonous to Pets

By Admin - Deanna, on September 1st, 2008 |

As summer heads toward the close, something many of us, including myself, don’t even want to think about yet, it won’t be long before we are in the midst of fall plant and garden work. One of those chores often include bringing in certain plants that are not winterable but do you know which of those plants are safe for you furry family members and and which are not?

This is from the ASPCA and will give you a great heads-up in plenty of time to take the proper care you need to;

As gardeners across the country say goodbye to summer, green thumbs and amateurs alike are scooping up houseplants to spice up the fall and winter months. They’re also taking off their sunhats and dragging outdoor plants inside to protect them from upcoming dips in temperature. Plants are popular for their decorative, restorative and air-clearing properties, but many species are toxic to our curious furry friends. Soil and leaves attract dogs and cats, who like to chew on vines and romp in the dirt. The ASPCA’s garden gurus set the record straight on some of the season’s most poisonous best-sellers:

Although most common in springtime but sold year-round, lilies—including stargazer, tiger and Easter lilies—are pretty on the outside but wreak havoc on the insides of our kitty companions. “Even with very small ingestions, severe kidney damage can result,” according to Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist & ASPCA Senior Vice President.

English ivy creeps its way into our hearts, but its precious vines contain triterpenoid saponins, which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea if eaten by dogs and cats.

Two of the hottest plants to hit office cubicles across the country are peace lily and pothos. Both are hearty and tolerate a fair amount of neglect, but for cats and dogs, they can cause irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue (peace lily) and swelling of the GI tract (pothos).

Oleander, a pretty shrub used as an ornamental plant in warmer regions, can also be cultivated indoors in cooler climes. One of the most poisonous plants to pets and people, it can lead to GI irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

Keep the nibbler in your life safe from toxic foliage by placing all plants out of reach. Or better yet, choose a nontoxic alternative to brighten your home, soothe your soul and protect your pet. As always, if you think your pet has ingested something poisonous, please contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435. Watch our plant safety video for more information, and enjoy a safe and spicy change of season!