Household Hazards: Some Plants Can Be Toxic to Dogs

 

Just as having pets can add a certain element to our lives, having plants in the home can add a certain element to our homes. They create fresher air and add color and vibrancy to any home, so needless to say they are a must-have in many people's homes. Unfortunately, many of the same people who love the feel and look of houseplants are also pet owners, and certain plants can pose a real threat to your canine companion. Some of the most popular and lovely houseplants have been known to cause severe illness and even death in some dogs. To avoid unnecessary medical expenses and potential heartbreak due to the death of your dog, take the necessary precautions with your houseplants and educate yourself as to what plants pose a risk and what plants are safe to have in the home with your dog. Keep in mind that while a lot of poisonous plants are found in the home, many of them might also be found on your porch or in your gardenit is always better to be safe than sorry.

 

What to Look Out For

 

In the spring and summer seasons in the spring and summer seasons come up, you may bring home a lot of plants from the store or the garden that can cause a lethal reaction in your pet. Here is a list of some of the most common toxic plants that you should look out for in order to keep your canine companion as safe as possible.

 

• Azaleas
• Birds of Paradise
• Buckeye
• Buttercups
• Dumb cane Plants
• Elephant's Ear Plants
• Holly
• Lily of the Valley
• Philodendrons
• Poinsettia
• Rosary Pea
• Wisteria

 

If You Don't Know For Sure

 

It can be easy to confuse a non-toxic plant with a toxic houseplant, and vice versa. While it is a bit unrealistic to say that houseplants should be kept out of a home where pets live, having the wrong house plant in your home can be the difference between life and death for your dog. It is always better to be safe than sorry; if you must have plants in your home and you are not sure as to whether or not they are safe for ingestion by your dog, hang them on a hook or put them on a tall shelf or somewhere else where your dog will never be able to get to it.

 

Dogs tend to chew on leaves and green plants when they are having stomachache or some other digestion problem, so it is in their nature to want to nibble on the plants in your home. However, if they are unable to get to any of the plants in your home and that is not an issue that you have to worry about.

 

If you suspect that your dog has partaken and one of your houseplants, it is probably a good idea to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Make sure to go the name and species of the plants in your home so that you can at least identify them for the veterinarian when you call or take your dog in for treatment. While many houseplants are safe for dogs to that the one, many of them are not. A good rule of thumb in this case it is that if you think it might not be safe to have in the home with your dog, leave it in the store. The life of your best friend is not worth it.