Pets love to chew on plants! Since they tend to eat anything, it is common for pets to chew on inedible plants, some of which are toxic. Depending on the level of toxicity, ingesting certain plants can cause effects ranging from simple indigestion to vomiting, coma and death. To protect your four-legged friends, it is important to recognize plants and know which ones should be kept out of their reach. Simply placing a toxic plant on a table is not enough to protect cats, who can climb and jump. Large breed dogs may also rest their front paws on the edge of a table to reach plants that would normally be out of their reach.
If you believe your pet has chewed or ingested any part of a toxic plant, call your veterinarian at AnimaPlus immediately. Do not attempt to treat your pet yourself without consulting a veterinarian! If the incident occurs at night, do not wait for regular clinic hours, contact an emergency center!
It is also advisable to examine the trees, flowers and plants in the surrounding area to protect animals that go outside. If you are unable to identify a plant, consult your local nursery.
List of Toxic Indoor Plants
**Note: This list is not exhaustive, as there are times when outdoor trees and plants (not typically considered houseplants) are brought into the home, especially for special occasions. Some of these are listed below. Plants can be highly, moderately, or mildly toxic, but their true toxicity is also measured by the species of the animal that ingests it, the amount ingested, and the part of the plant that is ingested.
Crown of Thorns Candelabra Cactus (Spurge Splendid) - Moderately toxic
These plants belong to the euphorbia family. Ingestion of the leaves usually causes minor to moderate indigestion, including excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Dieffenbachia - Moderately toxic
This family of plants (araceae) causes local irritation due to the presence of oxalic acid salts in the plant. Ingestion of the roots, leaves and stems can irritate the inside of the mouth, cause excessive salivation and, rarely, diarrhea.
Mistletoe - Very toxic
Used as a Christmas decoration, mistletoe produces severe irritation of the digestive system, as well as symptoms throughout the body, including a drop in heart rate and temperature, difficulty breathing, loss of balance, excessive thirst, and sometimes convulsions, coma, and even death.
Hydrangea
Contains a cyanide-like toxin, a very fast-acting poison that causes asphyxiation and other symptoms that appear very quickly including death.
Holly
This ornamental plant is very common during the holiday season; its ingestion mainly causes digestive disorders and depression of the nervous system. This plant has certain elements in common with chocolate (caffeine and theobromine).
Oleander - Very toxic
Even a small amount of this plant can cause death. All parts of the plant are highly toxic and can produce irritation of the digestive system, vomiting and diarrhea, arrhythmia, listlessness, and often death. Fresh leaves are bitter, but withered or dead leaves have a less pronounced taste; they remain toxic once dried.
Ivy - Low Toxic
The leaves and fruits can irritate the digestive system and cause diarrhea, respiratory problems and, rarely, coma and even death.
Lilies (Easter lily, tiger lily, Asiatic lily, daylilies and other lilies) - Very toxic
Cause kidney failure and death in cats. Lilies pose a serious threat to cats, as even a small amount of ingested leaves can cause serious problems. Vomiting, listlessness, and loss of appetite are usually the first symptoms. Treatment should be administered promptly.
And also…
Aloe – Arum – Asparagus – Colchicum – Cotoneaster – Croton – Datura – Dieffenbachia – Euphorbia – Ficus – Hyacinth – Cherry laurel – Oleander – Black nightshade – Lily of the valley – Onion – Poinsettia – Potato – Love apple – Pyracantha – Castor bean – Sanseveria – Syngonium – Tobacco – Tulip – Yucca