When you adore both seasonal plants and pets, one thing you need to remember is that not every plant is safe for your pet. Plants can easily elevate the space of your garden or room during changing seasons, but it sometimes poses a huge risk to your furry friends. The hidden dangers of the seasonal plants for your pets are explored in this blog along with tips to protect your furry friends from harm.
Some dangerous seasonal plants for your pet
At specific times of the year, seasonal plants grow, but some of them contain some toxic elements that are harmful to pets. Especially dogs and cats are very curious pets and many times they chew or nibble plants around your garden or houses. The bad substances of the seasonal plants could create major problems among animals, from severe consequences (organ failure) to mild symptoms like stomach upset.
In many cases, plant toxins are not obvious or even visible, which makes it critical to spot possible danger. If you love to grow seasonal plants and have a pet in your house, you need to be firstly aware of hazardous plants that are not suitable for your pets.
Some seasonal plants that are harmful to pets
Poinsettias
This is a holiday favorite plant, a festive favorite during the Christmas season, very popular for its vibrant green and red leaves. These plants are not tremendously toxic for pets like other seasonal plants but can create mild irritation among pets. If your cats or dogs eat any part of this plant, they could feel symptoms like drooling, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Mistletoe
This plant generally grows during winter holiday season, but without a doubt, these plants are very toxic for pets. Both berries and leaves of the plant contain chemical compounds that create vomiting tendencies, nausea, or difficulty in breathing. To ensure the well-being of your pets, it’s essential to keep this plant out of your house and garden.
Christmas Cactus
This plant is relatively safer than other cacti, but the large amount of consumption of this cactus by your pet could create gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. You need to keep this cactus out of the reach of your pets.
Lilies
White lilies are not seasonal plants and can be used for spring or Easter decorations. They are extremely harmful to cats, even in small quantities. The consumption of leaves or petals could be responsible for kidney failure among cats. Even, mild digestive issues are observed among dogs after their consumption.
Tulips
Tulips are very popular plants and they are the flower of spring. The toxic compounds of these plants can create a range of symptoms among your pets. If your pets ingest leaves or petals, they may experience diarrhea, drooling, and vomiting. The bulbs of the tulip are very toxic and pose a greater risk to your pet.
Holly and Ivy
During winter holidays, holly and ivy flowers are generally used to decorate your home. This plant is toxic both for cats and dogs. The ingestion of berries of holly can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and other serious symptoms such as organ damage and seizures. Ivy can also cause digestive distress and skin irritation.
Amaryllis
This is one of the beautiful flowering plants that are generally seen around the winter holiday season. They contain toxins that create serious harm to pets. In severe cases, the ingestion of amaryllis can result in a drop in blood pressure and cause tremors.
Cyclamen
This is another seasonal plant that blooms during winter and adds a beautiful hue to your home. This is very toxic for your pets; even a small portion could create severe gastrointestinal upset, heart arrhythmias, and even death. The underground part of the plant, known as the tuber, is highly dangerous.
Symptoms of plant poisoning in pets
In case your pet has eaten any part of a toxic plant, first you need to recognize the signs of poisoning so you can act accordingly. Some common symptoms of poisoning in pets are as follows:
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty in breathing
- Lethargy or weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Tremors or seizures
- Abnormal heart rate
If any of these symptoms are observed in your pet, you need to consult an expert veterinary specialist. Early prevention can make a significant difference in your pet's recovery if they ingest toxic plants.
How to save your pets from toxic plants
You can remove all the dangerous plants from your house, but it is not possible to remove those from the environment. Without your attention, if your pet ingests any of these plants while walking or roaming outside, it can potentially result into serious well-being issues. So, several steps that need to be followed for minimizing risk are as follows:
Proper research before buying: Before bringing any plant to your garden or home, proper research is always important. When you are unsure about the toxicity of the plant, you need to check resources such as the ASPCA's non-toxic and toxic plant lists.
Keep plants out of reach: You need to keep your plants inaccessible and out of reach from your pets. Consider using elevated plant stands and hanging baskets. In case you have an outdoor garden, use barriers to keep pets away.
Pet-safe alternative usage: You need to grow non-toxic, beautiful plants in your household to keep a safe environment for your pet. You can decorate your space with Boston ferns, calathea, or spider plants, which are completely safe for dogs and cats.
Pet monitoring: You should supervise your pets when they try to touch any seasonal plants in your home or garden. Especially, kittens and puppies have a habit of exploring through their mouths, so cautious observation is necessary for them.
Necessary step: if you suspect your pet has ingested toxic plants
- Stay calm and stop panicking
- Identify the plant that your pet has eaten actually
- Call your veterinarian and explain to them about the incident
- Follow veterinary instructions for the betterment of your pet
Seasonal plants bring cheer and beauty to your home, but they can pose a hidden danger for your pet. From spring tulips to festive poinsettias, the toxic substances of these plants can cause severe well-being problems for pets. You need to contact your vet; in case you suspect your furry friend ingested a toxic plant and don’t panic.