1st Care Vets

The weather is getting warmer and plants are in full bloom, unfortunately a lot of plants are toxic to our pets. The ASPCA receives roughly 150,000 calls each year from pet owners about accidental poisonings. There are many wild growing plants that you need to look out for, but even more important for you to know are the household plants. The plants and flowers you choose to grow in your house and around your home can be the most dangerous, because your pet has more unsupervised time around them.

Here are a few common symptoms your pet may display if poisoned are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Tremors
• Loss of appetite
• Skin Irritation
• Seizures

Below are a list of some common wild and house plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs:

Aloe: Aloe Vera. There are more than 500 species of aloe. Coming from the Liliaceae family, what makes this plant toxic to most animals, especially dogs and cats is a component known as saponin, which acts as a defense mechanism for the plant.

Amaryllis: This flower derives from the lily family, and although beautiful, it is highly toxic to cats and dogs. It contains lycorine and other components.

Autumn Crocus: Another common name for this pretty, pink flower is the Meadow Saffron. Although it contains colchicine, which is currently being studied as a cancer medication for humans, it is toxic to cats, dogs.

Azalea/Phododendron: There are 250 different species; azaleas are quite common, especially here in California. Although small, it is one of the most toxic flowers to cats, dogs. They contain grayantoxin, which alters skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and nerve function.

Carnation: One of the most common flowers found in bouquets, and they are toxic to dogs and cats.

Castor Oil Plant: Typically grown in California to produce castor oil, this plant’s leaves resemble a type of ivy of sorts. Known for its uniquely spiked seed capsules, it contains ricin, which is not only toxic to dogs, and cats, but humans as well. Ricin inhibits protein synthesis and even if your pet consumes as little as one ounce, the effects can be lethal. If not treated immediately, your pet may experience convulsions, which will eventually lead a coma and death.

Chamomile: You may enjoy it, but don’t let your dog, or cat get a hold of your chamomile tea! This flower contains a variety of toxic components

Chrysanthemum: This common garden flower belongs to the daisy family, and is toxic to dogs, and cats.

Cyclamen: This pretty flower, most commonly known for its vibrant buds and unique contrast in its leaves, is toxic to dogs and cats. If your pet consumes a large amount your pet will experience heart rhythm abnormalities and seizures, which may eventually lead to death.

Dahlia: Another beautiful flower that is toxic to dogs and cats is the dahlia.

English Ivy: This type of foliage is one of the most commonly used in households. We can see it growing along the sides of walls and fences among our backyards, making it easily accessible to our pets. It is toxic to dogs, and cats.

Eucalyptus: This plant is commonly used in many oils that we as humans use for aromatherapy and skin-care product, but it is dangerous to your dog, or cat.

Foxtails: Foxtails are not a plant you would purchase, but in certain states, in warmer months they can be seen everywhere. A foxtail is a “spikelet” that grows on certain types of grasses and attaches to your pet with special barbs. A foxtail can work itself under the skin causing internal damage and death.

Gladiolus: Ingesting any part of the plant will poison your pet. However, the highest concentration of its toxic component is in the buds.

Hibiscus: This tropical-looking flower is poisonous as well.

Holly: This plant, found in many of our holiday decorations, contains a low toxicity in its berries and leaves. However, it can still cause some bad side effects.

Kalanchoe: There are over 125 different species of kalanchoe and they all look very different! Kalanchoe is toxic to both dogs and cats.

Lilies: While flowers derived from the lily family are toxic to many species of animals, the most common lily that we all know and love is toxic to cats only.

Marijuana: The Delta-9-THC that exists in marijuana, which causes an altered state of mind in humans, has the same altered-state effect in dogs, and cats; however, this effect is toxic to our pets.

Milkweed: There are many different species of milkweed; however, this plant is most commonly known for its hollowed filaments covered in wax. It is the plant that is most commonly cultivated for the stuffing in our pillows!

Morning Glory: This beautiful flower contains hallucinogenic alkaloids in its seeds. This is one of those plants that you really have to watch out for, because many of these side effects can go unnoticed.

Mulch: Cocoa Mulch, typically sold at many home improvement stores, is toxic. It contains theobromine, found also in chocolate, and has the same side effects that would occur from the consumption of chocolate.

Oleander: This typical Californian plant, known for its long, stiff leaves, contains a component known as cardiac glyoside which is toxic cats, and dogs.

Peace Lily: Another common bouquet filler, this plant is known for its single spiky spadex, surrounded by a single white, yellowish, or greenish leaf.

Poinsettias: Poinsettias contain sap that may cause irritation to the mouth and stomach, and possible vomiting.

Pothos: An ivy plant, most commonly found inside the house as decoration.

Rubber Plant: Not all rubber plants are toxic to your pets. It depends on the genus and species. Rubber plants from the Peperomia genus are not highly toxic to your pets, however, they may cause a mild stomach ache. Other rubber plants, such as the Japanese Rubber Plant are higher in toxicity.

Sago Palm: Another plant that many of us use in our landscapes is the Sago Palm. Although difficult to ingest, if your dog, or cat gets a hold of this plant, it could be fatal.

Schefflera: More commonly known as the Umbrella Tree, this tropical looking plant is toxic to cats and dogs. It contains calcium oxalate crystals, which is a common cause of human kidney stones! This toxic component is found in every part of the tree.

Shamrocks: Consider your pet unlucky if they get a hold of a shamrock. Although only slightly toxic in small quantities, a large consumption of this plant in your dog, or cat is bad news.

Spinach: Spinach does contain a small amount of calcium oxalates, which could potentially cause the formation of crystals in the urinary tract of an unhealthy cat.

String of Pearls/Beads: This is a very interesting looking flower. Known for its white flower buds, with tiny, purple, bead-like structures standing up from the bud, this flower is toxic to cats, and possibly dogs.

Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs: Tulips are some of the most common plants grown in the home. They contain a toxic component called tulipalin A and B. The highest concentration of tulipalin A and B exists in the bulb of the tulip.

Yew: Used in many Japanese-inspired gardens, this plant is toxic and fatal to dogs, and cats.

Yucca: Living in Los Angeles we might forget that this is desert territory, making Yucca a very commonly found naturally occurring plant.