AFGHANS ARE US -HEALTH

POISONOUS PLANTS

 

I have tried to do a fairly comprehensive list, which, on the face of things, looks horrendous, but - DON’T PANIC!! Yes, all these plants have their bad features, but usually dogs and cats have to eat parts of them in quantity for any really bad effects to be felt.

 However, there are one or two exceptions to this with some things being a definite no-no. The worst is probably Dieffenbachia known as Dumb  Cane - for just the slightest chew on a leaf can cause very bad reactions in the mouth, numbness of the throat, and can create a potentially life-threatening situation. It is a native of South America and is a fairly common house plant. Touching the plant provokes no reaction at all, but chewing on it releases the poisonous sap and with a young puppy this could be very nasty indeed and would need prompt veterinary attention.

 At Christmas time too there are several potential problems, particularly for puppies - mistletoe and holly berries, yew, and poinsettias can be deadly to pets - so if you have these in the house at this time of year just watch and keep them out of reach of any dog or cat (or children!).

 The following list is not totally comprehensive but does list the more common plants in the garden and house - as I said just be aware!! Please don’t turn your garden into a concrete jungle - that would not be good for either pets or the family!!

 I have taken some of these plants from another web site www.dogstrust.org.uk   where an even more comprehensive list can be found - along with other household and medicinal poisons. Dogs Trust used to be the National Canine Defence League (NCDL).

 Di Searle - Updated 24th June 2009

 

  
House Plants Garden Plants
All the bulbs are potentially dangerous - try to stop pups digging them up and using them as toys - they can cause nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, and dermatitis. This also includes wild bulbs, corms such as bluebell, and autumn crocus too.
   
African Violet Anemone (windflower)
Aloe Vera Aquilegia
Amaryllis (hippeastrum) Azalea - can cause nausea, vomiting, depression, breathing difficulties and coma - IF eaten in large enough quantities.
Asparagus Fern Black Henbane; llex species
Azalea Box leaves
Ceriman (monstera deliciosa - swiss cheese plant) Bracken - can cause haemorrhage, tumours, blindness
Croton Broom - Burning bush
Cyclamen Buttercup, Kingcups, Marsh Marigold
Dieffenbachia (see above) - this includes Mother-in-law’s tongue plants Calla Lily
Daffodils (all bulbs are potentially dangerous) Chrysanthemum - may cause dermatitis
Dracaena - all species - indoor and outdoor varieties Cineraria
Easter Lily (especially poisonous to cats) Clematis
Geranium Cycads
Hyacinths Datura (brugmansia) - grown more often in UK gardens now
Kalanchoe Deadly nightshade
Peace lily Delphinium
Spider plant Elder and Elderberry
Tulips Elephant’s ears (bergenia)
Umbrella plant English Bluebell
Weeping fig Euphorbia - spurge
  Fig Trees (Sap from both the leaves and branches can cause extreme irritation)
  Foxgloves
  Fritillary
  Gypsophila
  Hellebores
  Helleborus niger - Christmas Rose
  Hibiscus (another tropical plant - now available in the UK)
  Holly berries - upset stomach, tremors, seizures, loss of balance
  Horse chestnut
  Hosta
  Hoya
  Humulus Lupulus
  Hyacinthus orientalis
  Hydrangea
  Hypericum - St. John’s Wort
  Iris (roots) Digestive upsets and may cause dermatitis
  Ivy
  Laburnum (seeds)
  Larkspur
  Laurel
  Lavatera (mallow)
  Leylandii (may cause a skin allergy - as I know to my cost!)
  Lobelia
  Lupin
  Maple
  Morning Glory (plant and seeds)
  Nerine
  Oleander
  Peony (roots)
  Philodendron
  Poppy
  Potato (green skin and sprouts)
  Primrose leaves
  Privet
  Ragwort - (causes liver failure and liver damage which is why it is classed as a noxious weed on farmland)
  Rape
  Rhododendron
  Rhubarb (leaves)
  Rose Stems (can cause scouring if chewed)
  Solomon's Seal
  Spider Lily; Hyoscyamus niger
  Strelitzia - bird of paradise - gastro-intestinal problems
  Sweet Pea (stem) if eaten in quantity
  Tobacco plant
  Tomato (green fruit, stem and leaves)
  Wild cherry
  Wisteria (pods and seeds)
  Woody nightshade
  Yew - which can be deadly - not just the berries but also the leaves if chewed.
   

 

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