Even though we tend to think of our dogs as family members, it’s important to remember that their bodies are very different from ours and that they see the world in a very different way. Even though you enjoy taking care of and looking at the plants in your garden, they could be very dangerous for your dog’s health.
Many older dogs would never eat a plant, but younger dogs and puppies are more likely to do so because they are more curious and use their taste and smell to learn about the world. Here are the ten most common plants that dogs should stay away from.
The “Lily of the Valley”
Many gardeners like this delicate plant, but it could be bad news for your furry friend. The lily of the valley plant (Convallaria majalis) has a chemical called cardiac glycosides in it that is very dangerous for dogs to eat. If your dog eats this plant, it could cause vomiting, diarrhea, a slowing of the heart rate, severe heart rhythm problems, and even seizures.
If you know your pet has eaten any of this plant, take them to the vet as soon as possible. They may need urgent medical care.
Daffodils
Nothing says “spring” like daffodils in bloom. The bulbs from which these bright yellow flowers grow are often found in both private and public gardens. Lycorine, which is an alkaloid found in daffodils, can quickly make your pet throw up.
Every part of a daffodil is poisonous to your dog, so if he eats the bulb, plant, or flower, you should get him to a vet right away. Lycorine can make people throw up a lot, have diarrhea, stomach pain, and even have irregular heartbeats or slow their breathing.
Also, like hyacinths, daffodil bulbs have crystals on the outside that can cause more problems if your dog eats them, such as excessive drooling. Daffodils have a strong smell that can attract dogs, so never leave your dog alone near them.
Philodendrons
This plant, which is often called a “Swiss cheese plant,” is a very popular choice for indoors.
If you have one of these at home, make sure your dog can’t get to it easily because it has crystals of calcium oxalate that won’t dissolve. This chemical probably won’t kill your dog, but it can make his mouth and lips very sore and make him throw up.
Rhododendron (Azaleas)
There are more than 1,000 different kinds of rhododendrons in the world. The small species are called Azaleas, and you can find them all over the United States. The larger species look more like shrubs, and people usually just call them Rhododendrons. Azaleas and rhododendrons are both poisonous to dogs because they have grayanotoxins in them. Grayanotoxins block sodium channels, which can hurt your dog’s bones and heart. This plant’s roots, stem, and flowers are all poisonous, and your dog only needs to eat a very small amount of any part of the plant to become poisoned and show signs of sickness.
If your dog eats this plant, he or she might start drooling a lot, have trouble with their stomach, and even have heart problems like an irregular heartbeat, weakness, and low blood pressure. If the poisoning is bad, they may also show signs of the central nervous system, like tremors, signs of being tired, going blind, having seizures, or falling into a coma. If your dog eats this plant, you should get medical help or advice.
Oleander
This outdoor plant that stays green all year is popular in warm places that rarely get frost. Oleander has poisons in it called cardenolides or bufadienolides. These poisons are cardiac glycoside toxins, which means they hurt the heart right away.
This is one of the most dangerous plants on the list, and if your pet eats it, you should call your vet right away. All parts of these plants, including the water in the vase where the oleander flowers were sitting, are dangerous.
