Author: Sheryl Wright
Dogs are explorers, so they are going to want the opportunity to nose around all the plants you have in your house and yard. Unfortunately, some very common plants are toxic to dogs. Ingesting them could make your dog sick, and there are times when dogs actually die due to the consumption of a toxic plant. Here is a starter list of plants to keep away from your dog.
Aloe Vera
For humans, aloe vera is a wonderful succulent that is easy to grow and has a variety of uses. Humans can drink it or rub it on their skin to help reduce inflammation. Dogs, however, don’t need to ever ingest aloe. The results for our canine friends are anything but healing.
Though this plant is considered mildly toxic to dogs, the side effects of ingesting it are pretty extreme. Your dog may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy due to low blood sugar. Aloe vera can also make dogs shake or go into a depressive state. Keep this plant out of your dog’s reach.
Milkweed
Gardeners love milkweed because it brings pollinators to their yards. You can find native varieties that thrive in your area, but make sure your dog cannot get to the milkweed. Pollinators love them, but a dog’s body does not.
Milkweed can actually lead to death for a dog who eats it. It’s important for your dog to not even consume butterflies or other pollinators that ingest milkweed. Symptoms of milkweed consumption in a dog include seizures, collapse, drooling, and vomiting. If you think your dog may have ingested milkweed, see a vet immediately.
Tulips
A favorite spring flower, tulips pop up in abundance each year. They are beautiful and fragrant, but they are not good for your dog.
Though the most dangerous part of the plant for a dog is the bulb, no part of the tulip plant is safe for canines. Ingesting any of it can cause your dog stomach pain, breathing issues, and diarrhea. You may also notice that your dog’s heart rate is elevated or irregular. All of these are signs that your pet needs help.
Ivy
Ivy is considered a plant that is almost impossible to kill. That’s why you may not ever want to plant one in your yard. In fact, dog owners sometimes choose to make things simple by using all safe plants in their yard so their dogs won’t have anything to harm them. If you plant artificial grass in Sacramento, you won’t have to constantly monitor what plant your dog is eating in the yard.
Ivy often grows on fences, and your dog may be tempted to find out what this climbing plant is. If your dog consumes ivy, you will likely notice vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Sago Palm
Sago plants are beautiful, and it’s tempting to keep one around so you can observe its growth. However, this plant can be toxic for your dog, resulting in liver failure if you don’t seek treatment in time.
How lethal this plant is to your pet depends on a variety of factors. Though the entire plant is toxic to dogs, the seeds are the worst part for your dog to ingest. It also matters how large your dog is and how much she consumed. A smaller dog can’t handle as much as a larger dog.
Drooling, diarrhea and vomiting are usually the first signs of a problem. These symptoms may start as soon as 15 minutes after your dog eats the sago palm. Seek help immediately since liver failure will follow if your dog isn’t treated.
Oleander
Oleanders make great privacy borders for yards. They crawl up fences and provide a curtain of foliage that is beautiful. Oleanders are also toxic for dogs.
Eating oleander can cause your pet gastrointestinal issues, but the damage doesn’t stop there. Your dog’s heart can be affected by oleander, and this can be fatal. You may notice that your dog is acting strange, such as showing signs of depression or extreme exhaustion. If enough is consumed, your dog can go into shock.
It’s best not to plant oleander at all if you have a dog, but make sure you monitor your pet closely if have it in your yard.
Take care of your dog by keeping your yard full of safe things for her to explore.
