Watch Out for These 8 Poisonous Plants for Dogs in Pasadena, CA

Dogs are well-known for getting into things that they should not be eating. This can lead to all kinds of problems for dog owners who might only know that their dog is feeling sick but not know what they ate that made them sick. Dogs are often attracted to bad-smelling things, but they can also be drawn to things that are fun to chew on.

Getting some dogs to keep things out of their mouth that should not be eaten can be really tough. While it is pretty easy to avoid some problems, such as chicken bones, or balls that are too small for your dog to play with, things that are outside can be much harder to avoid. Plants that are poisonous to dogs can be tough to keep your pet away from if you don’t know what they look like.

If you are ready to learn more about the poisonous plants that you need to keep your dog away from, you need to keep reading.

1. Sago Palm

This is a common outdoor decoration plant that looks like a small palm tree. This plant is toxic to all pets and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, liver failure, and even death. Make sure that you do not allow your dog to pick up the fronds of this plant and play with them since they are so toxic. Even a small amount of contact with this plant can lead to serious health problems, making it a no-go for pet owners who let their animals spend time in the backyard alone.

2. Tulips

While beautiful, tulips can be quite toxic to dogs. The bulbs are where most of the toxicity resides, but even the petals and the stems of these flowers can make your dog quite sick. If your dog loves to dig things up and play with them, tulips should never be in your yard. Loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea are the most common symptoms that can be caused by eating tulips. The more of the tulip plant that your dog ingests, the more serious their condition might become.

3. Lily of the Valley

Another really beautiful flowering plant, this lily is very toxic to animals. This plant impacts the function of the heart, and it can cause death very quickly if too much of it is ingested. Puppies are particularly at risk, but dogs of any age can become sick from eating this plant. Make sure that you know if this plant is in your yard and remove it before letting your dog spend time in the yard unattended.

4. Oleander

The West Coast is the most common place to see this plant, and it can grow quite large. Every part of this plant is poisonous to dogs, and you should keep your dog well away from Oleander even if they are not smelling it or acting interested in it. This is another plant that causes cardiac issues, and it can also cause stomach pain, drooling, as well as vomiting and diarrhea.

5. Rhododendron

This plant is also called an Azalea, and it is common as a backyard shrub all over the US. This plant contains grayanotoxin, which causes stomach upset in smaller doses, but can cause heart issues and blood pressure problems in larger amounts. Dogs that have ingested this plant will suffer from tremors, and shakiness, and might even collapse.

6. Japanese Yew

This plant is commonly used as a hedge plant. This plant has berries on it throughout part of the year, but they are not toxic to dogs. The leaves, the seeds, and the bark are the toxic plant parts associated with this shrub, which your dog might come into contact with if they like to chew on things or tend to dig and play in the dirt. This plant can cause vomiting, wobbly gait, lethargy, and heart and blood pressure changes. Seizures and muscle tremors are the most common early warning signs of toxicity related to this plant.

7. Cyclamen

This plant is a beautiful and welcome addition to a garden due to its beautiful and bright colors, but dog owners should not use this plant in their landscaping. This plant can also be a common houseplant, which might make it really accessible to your dog all day long. This plant will cause heart issues, vomiting, and diarrhea, and it can also cause death if it is ingested in large quantities. The roots are where most of the toxins are located, but your pet should not eat the leaves or the petals either.

8. Philodendrons

This plant is a common indoor houseplant that has long vines and big, heart-shaped leaves. The leaves and stems of this plant contain insoluble calcium, which can irritate the mouth and the lips and also cause retching and vomiting. Large quantities will cause diarrhea and other complications. Avoid this houseplant if you have cats as well.

Toxic Plants Can be Very Dangerous to Dogs

If you have a dog that loves to chew on things and put things in their mouth, you need to be sure that you are not creating a major risk for their exposure by having these plants in your yard or home. Even small amounts of these plants can lead to major health issues in your dog, and you will want to avoid the chance that these plants can be ingested by your pet. While many of these flowers and shrubs are quite nice to look at, they are not an ideal addition to any pet owner’s yard.

Be sure that you know what all of these plants look like so that you can be certain that you do not allow your pet to come into contact with them. You can easily look up the leaves and flowers of any plant with an internet search these days, which can help greatly with the identification of these dangerous plants in your yard or when shopping for plants to add to your home. Your pet will thank you for keeping these plants out of reach, and you will be glad that you do not have to worry about your pet being poisoned by accident.

Have questions about your dog’s wellness and care? Book an appointment online or call (626) 798-0738 to talk with your Altadena Pet Hospital vet today!