Pet Wellness: Pet Evil Plants

Are you aware that in your home or garden there could very well be plants that are toxic to your dog or cat? I wasn't!  But thanks to Dr. Karen Becker, holistic veterinarian, I am now aware of pet evil plants that I have now removed from my home and garden and replaced with ones that are safe.  Pet owner awareness is an important part of pet wellness and can make the difference between an unsafe and safe environment for your dog, cat or any other breed of pet.

Lets get right down to it so that you can get on with making the necessary changes in your garden or home as soon as possible in order to avoid a poisoned pet and trip to the vet.

Lilies

Although the poisonous part of this plant has not yet been determined, lilies are particularly perilous to cats.  Even a small amount of lily plant ingested by your cat can cause severe or even fatal kidney disease.

Marijuana Plants

Dangerous for dog and cat, any portion of this plant can result in depression of the central nervous system, vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, seizures, and coma. In the event that you are legally allowed to grow this plant for medicinal reasons, be sure to keep it well out of reach of your dog or cat or ensure that part of the garden cannot be accessed by your dog or cat or any other that might pass by your garden. 

Sago Palms

All parts of the sago are toxic, but the nuts and seeds pose even a higher toxin to your dog or cat.  This perilous plant can make your pet desperately ill with symptoms being vomiting, drooling, lethargy, seizures and acute liver failure, which can result in death if not treated in time.

Tulips

The whole of this plant is toxic to your dog or cat, with the bulbs are the most potent. These can cause severe gastrointestinal problems, loss of appetite, drooling depression of the central nervous system,  convulsions and cardiac abnormalities. 

 Azaleas and Rhododendrons

 These plants contain grayanotoxin,  that will cause your dog or cat gastrointestinal troubles including  diarrhea bloating, and vomiting. Coma, cardiovascular collapse and death are also on the list of for dog or cat with this perilous plant. 

Oleanders

Oleanders come in white and pink and all varieties are poisonous for dogs and cats. Sudden death is caused  from heart failure due to the cardiac glycosides in this plant. Although this particular plant is very well adored by many people, pet wellness means often times pet owners have learn to go without in order to keep their pets well and safe, even from what might be their favorite flower.

Castor Bean Plant

 Deadly to both dog and cat this plant contains a toxin called Ricin. Ricin can bring on abdominal pain and bloating, swelling of the mouth and any other part of the gastrointestinal tract. Severe poisoning can cause  seizures, musculoskeletal convulsions, twitching, coma and death.

Cyclamen Plant

 Cyclamen comes in colors of lavender, pink and white and are a very common house plant.  Unfortunately for pet owners this plant's roots are dangerous to dog and cat.  Poisoned symptoms include gastrointestinal irritation resulting in severe vomiting. 

Cilantro

Are you shocked?  So was I, particularly being that I am a frequent user of the herb cilantro also known as coriander.  I was also growing it in my garden for the longest time. Obviously not anymore! I was lucky that my one year old puppy had no interest in eating plants, unlike most puppies.  The cilantro plant can cause gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac arrhythmia in your dog or cat.

Yew

The Yew plant and all species of the Taxus and Yew family can cause serious problems for both dog and cat.

Amaryllis

This beautiful flower is perilous to your dog or cat causing vomiting, depression and lethargy.  Symptoms of poisoning from the amaryllis, also known as the Easter plant, are vomiting, lethargy and depression. Amaryllis is also knows as the "Easter Plant."

Autumn Crocus

 Coming in colors of lavender, blue, yellow and white, and commonly grown in gardens in yards.  This plant can cause diarrhea, bloody vomiting, and irritation to your dog or cat's mouth. 

English Ivy

There are several species of this plant and all of them contain a perilous substance called triterpenoids.  Triterpenoids cause gastrointestinal irritation resulting in abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting in both dog and cat.

Peace Lilies and Schefflera

Both these plants contain Calcium Oxalates can cause severe irritation to your pet’s mouth, esophagus and stomach. Signs your dog or cat has ingested either of these plants are vomiting and diarrhea, drooling and difficulty swallowing.

Pothos Plants

Yes!  Another very common houseplant, Pothose plants causes soft tissue irritation in the mouth causing swelling of the tongue and sometimes bleeding of the mucus membranes, and difficulty swallowing. 

Pet wellness encompasses health and fitness of your pet and also means pet owners need to be wary of the dangers lurking around their house and garden and know how to protect and keep their pet safe.  There is a huge percentage of pets, particularly dogs and cats that are poisoned each year caused by medicines and plants.  It would be a good idea to find out which plants are safe to have in your home and garden and just stick with those.  Anytime you find a plant you would like to take home, simply do a quick search and make sure it is not on the toxic  plant list for your pet. 

There is no question that a poisoned animal needs immediate medical attention by a qualified veterinarian, however, throughout and following your pet's treatment embrace further pet wellness by selecting the appropriate pet natural remedy(s) that can help relieve your pet from discomfort and side effects caused by the poisoning or possibly even the medication he is needing to take to get well again. 

If you suspect your dog or cat has ingested a poison immediately call the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center hotline at 1-888-426-4435. The hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Then call your vet and let him know the situation and be prepared to tell him what your pet ingested if you know. Take the container or a sample of the plant with you if possible.