Puppies and dogs like to snoop and chew. No matter how many chew sticks they are given, you’ll find things in their mouths you never even thought about. Since their non-discerning tastes run the gamut from leaves to potting soil, every dog owner must become aware of plants and other things found in the yard that might hurt their canine buddy.
Many Plants Can be Poisonous to Dogs
There are several good resources online to use as research tools regarding plants that might be toxic to your dog. The ASPCA’s website outlines typical indoor and outdoor plants that can be poisonous to pets. When planning your landscaping, referring to their list of poisonous plants for dogs will allow you to relax when your puppy is playing outdoors.
Some Plants Cause Liver Damage to Dogs:
The ASPCA has a story on their website, “Sago Palm Kills Puppy”, that reports how the Sago Palm was fatal to a canine survivor of Hurricane Ike. They explain that the entire plant including seeds and nuts (part of the Cycad family) is toxic for dogs. It can cause liver damage, and is fatal in more than half the incidents. Fern Palm is also a member of the Cycad plant family.
Plants that Cause Heart Problems for Dogs:
Using ASPCA’s resources, they outline that a variety of plants can affect a dog’s heart if eaten. They mention rhododendron, azalea, lily of the valley, oleander, rosebay, foxglove and kalanchoe.
List of Plants Poisonous to Dogs:
Using the ASPCA’s search tool, you can sort plants toxic to dogs, cats, or horses. The plant list has pictures of the plants and is quite extensive. It is advisable to do your research before planting new plants, and determine if current plants in the yard pose a threat. By clicking on the plant’s name, you’ll find in-depth information on the plant, toxicity, and clinical signs of ingestion. The list is long, but some common toxic plants on the list are:
Typical Houseplants or Patio Plants Bad for Dogs:
Schefflera
Pothos
Dieffenbachia
Corn Stalk Plant
Philodendron
Asparagus Fern
Yard Plants Dangerous for Dogs:
Bird of Paradise
Oleander
Marijuana
Calla Lily
Eucalyptus
Heavenly Bamboo
Yucca
China Berry
Castor Bean
Flowers Dogs Should Not Eat:
Carnation
Tulips
Cyclamen
Amaryllis
Chrysanthemum
Geranium
Periwinkle
Sweet Pea
“Vegetable and Fruit bearing plants” Not Edible for Dogs
Spring Parsley
Garlic
Chives
Apricot Tree
Don’t depend on this as a complete list, but instead use the ASPCA’s search tool.
What Should You Do if Your Plants are Toxic for Dogs?
If some of the plants on the ASPCA’s list surprise you, don’t feel alone. Many of us have at least some of these plants in our backyards and might not have given them a thought. Does this mean you should rip out all the plants from your yard? Some plants may be best removed, but that may not be necessary in all cases. The key to taking care of your pet is to be aware and take precautions.
If your dog has a favorite place among the plants to rest, make sure he isn’t nibbling on a potentially harmful plant as he lays there. If he does, you’ll need to either block it off or remove the plant. If you are planning to have a vegetable garden, understanding that some plants may be toxic to Fido, gives you the chance to fence off the garden and watch him closely if he snoops in that area. When you see a dog running around with a mouthful of leaves, remove them and work on discipline.
If the danger is great and your dog will have extended periods of time unsupervised, an outdoor kennel, play pen or dog run might be the best solution.
What about Grass?
According to an article in Petlibrary.co.uk,”Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?” written by their Pet Library Editor, there are a variety of opinions. They feel that many healthy dogs just like to graze like a cow, but sometimes a dog will eat grass and then vomit it right back up. One possible theory is that when a dog feels sick, they eat grass to vomit. Typically, most grasses that aren’t recently treated with pesticides won’t harm them, but will more than likely stimulate the dog’s stomach and it will come back up.
Pet Poison Helpline tells us, however, that grass seeds should be kept away from a dog’s eyes, ears, nose and footpad. They tell us that if eaten, seeds can clump in the stomach and require surgical removal. That would be an expensive learning experience for a pet owner!
Other Yard Hazards for Dogs:
-Toadstools and mushrooms can be lethal for dogs (they can cause liver failure), so it is extremely important to remove them from your yard. During walks, be sure to keep your pup away from them. Note: Kicking ‘shrooms will spread the spores and more will grow, so dig them up instead.
-The blue-green algae found in ponds can be toxic to your Fido.
-ASPCA tells us that snakes are most prevalent during March and October, so keeping your yard less snake friendly (clearing underbrush) will help minimize a stand-off between your pup and a snake. They tell us to treat every snake bite as an emergency whether the snake is venomous or not.
-Ingesting a large amount of fertilizer can give dog indigestion or cause gastrointestinal blockage.
-Soil mulch that contains Cocoa bean shells should be avoided, using bark, shredded pine or cedar instead.
-Keep compost bins inaccessible by your dog. Often things in a compost bin are toxic for a dog, so keep that in mind if you plan to add it to your garden.
-Snails aren’t typically poisonous themselves, but any snail bait you may have out to kill them is.
-Finally, if toads are prevalent, a pet owner should keep an eye on their dog if he likes chasing them, as some toads are poisonous.
For your dog’s sake, taking stock of the landscape around your home is recommended; not doing so may result in a pet tragedy. If you suspect that your dog may have been poisoned, immediately call a 24-hour helpline such as the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center’s hotline at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.
Related Reading:
“Foods that Dogs Can’t Eat
Resources:
ASPCA.org
Petpoisonhelpline.com
Petlibrary.co.uk
