Top 10 Poisonous Plants For Pets (Following A Sad Puppy Fatality)

The death of an adorable little Siberian Husky puppy recently shocked and rocked a small suburb of Sacramento. After he was found snacking on some poisonous mushrooms in the family’s yard, bad reactions from the little pup sent the family to the vet’s office and sadly things took a turn for the worse.

This small and seemingly insignificant oversight proved fatal for this particular young pooch and headlines of his tragic death saddened local area residents just before the Christmas season began to unfold last year. Although this local story didn’t get much in the way of national recognition, perhaps it should have been more widely circulated to serve as a warning to other pet owners.

Not only are animals in danger from these types of often overlooked types of toxins, children can also be at risk when it comes to the consumption of plants that are potentially poisonous if ingested. Technically, mushrooms are considered a fungus and not a part of the plant family, but we can all strive to be better educated when it comes to certain flora that could prove fatal for our four-legged friends.

A Potentially Lethal List

We mentioned poinsettias previously and most of us are already aware this holiday favorite is well-known for being poisonous. But according to the Pet Poison Hotline, they’re only “mildly toxic” to our pets, friends and family. Still, it’s a very valid reason to keep these types of beautiful plants away from our beloved pets (and children).

This stern warning is also followed by an important post from the folks over at the Pet Poison Hotline which highlights the top ten poisonous plants for pets. Here they are in alphabetical order:

1. Autumn Crocus - these Spring bloomers are renowned for causing gastric distress with pets including vomiting and diarrhea.
2. Azalea - with the same resulting symptoms including excessive salivation, pets could fall into a coma after eating this popular plant.
3. Cyclamen - For digging dogs, it’s the root of this plant (literally) that causes problems.
4. Daffodils - These popular favorites cause equally threatening conditions that can also result in cardiac arrhythmia.
5. Hyacinths - Another underground potential threat that is associated more with the bulbs rather than their flowers or leaves.
6. Kalanchoe - A succulent popular with many plant people, it’s also prone to cause diarrhea, vomiting and heart problems.
7. Lilies - The pollen in these plants has been so problematic, they’re often banned from hospitals and other health-care related facilities.
8. Oleander - This popular hedge is often seen alongside freeways in SoCal, but they can cause death in severe situations.
9. Sago Palm - Speaking of down south, the seeds of this popular palm
10. Tulips - Popular in Danish culture, but traumatic when it comes to canine consumption.

Conquering This Conundrum

Obviously, the best option for protecting our pets is not having these plants in our possession in the first place. But on the other hand, for plant lovers, we can find some other harmonious solutions in order to avoid this particular problem. For example, keep these types of plants completely out of reach when it comes to your pets (for cats this could be problematic).

For canine lovers, train them to stay away from plants in general, both indoors and out. Especially when it comes to walking your dog since they’re instinctually driven to sniff out and explore other animals urine and feces that are often near foliage. It almost goes without saying the many health risks associated with this type of practice.

Along with all pet owners and animal lovers, we can be more proactive about what goes into their mouths. That’s why we strive to ensure what your pet eats is what’s best for their overall health and welfare. Please reply if you have other important tips and tricks to keep our pets at their best!

Sources:

http://www.kcra.com/article/puppy-dies-after-eating-poisonous-mushrooms-in-loomis/14384708

https://www.kremp.com/dangerous-plants-and-flowers-for-kids-and-pets

http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/poinsettia/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/2574347/Flowers-banned-from-hospital-wards.html

Emily Ridgewell is an arts professional and a pet enthusiast from sunny LA. Emily has a creative energy and an aesthetic sense of living, where everything beautiful is worth sharing. She loves her yorkie Olivia and writes original and fun articles on ways to learn and improve your pet-best friend’s life. She finds exciting new things to explore and experience! Don’t forget to connect with her in Twitter: @ridgewell_j