Dogs are poisonous to a lot of plants. Deterring them from chewing on or consuming any vegetation is therefore always a good idea, especially the following plants.
The following plants should never be made available to dogs under any circumstances since they are the most harmful to them:
- Castor oil or castor bean (Ricinus communis)
- Cyclamen (Cylamen spp.)
- Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)
- Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
- English ivy’s fruit and leaves (Hedera helix)
- Mistletoe (Viscum album)
- Oleander (Nerium oleander)
- Apple thorns or jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)
- Yew (Taxus spp.)
- any fungus you cannot reliably identify as safe
For a number of reasons, it is best to stay away from this kind of plant. Do not grow them close to your house or bring cut flowers or plants inside:
- Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.)
- Fall crocus (Colochicum autumnale)
- bloody heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
- Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
- Chrysanthemum (Compositae spp.)
- bulbs of any variety of flowers
- Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
- Israeli cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)
- Larkspur (Delphinium)
- Flower of the valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Marijuana (Cannabis sativa)
- Mauna Loa peace lily or peace lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
- Pothos (both Scindapsus and Epipremnum)
- Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum)
- Schefflera (Schefflera and Brassaia actinophylla)
- Navel nettles (Urtica dioica)
- Bulbs of tulips and narcissus (Tulipa/Narcissus spp.)
- Maryland creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
Avoid using these tougher-leafed or woody species in and around your home as they are harmful as well.
- Azalea
- Box
- Beijinger tree
- Horsechestnut
- Laburnum
- Oleander
- Privet
- Palm Sago
- Rhododendron
- Wisteria
Additionally, the ASPCA has a comprehensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants, and the Pet Poison Helpline has a list of the Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets.
Which tree is lethal to dogs?
Black Walnut: Although the tree itself is not harmful, the nuts that fall to the ground may be. When a dog consumes them, they induce intestinal irritation and even seizures because they begin to decompose quickly and develop mold.
This tree’s berries, leaves, bark, and flowers all contain toxins that can cause everything from vomiting and diarrhea to weakness, a slowed heartbeat, seizures, and shock. Chinaberry is also known as the “tree of poisonous berries.”
Fruit trees: Your dog could become ill from the pits in fruits like plums, apricots, peaches, and even avocados, and from the poisonous seeds in cherries and apples that are choking dangers. Eating too much can still result in diarrhea even if they merely consume the fruit.
Horse Chestnut, also known as Buckeye, is a tree that contains saponin, which can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, damage to the central nervous system, convulsions, and even coma.
Japanese Yew: All types, from small to huge trees, contain toxic substances that are harmful to dogs and can be lethal. Tremors, vomiting, breathing problems, and seizures are among the symptoms. They are well-liked Christmas decorations because of their vivid green foliage and crimson berries, but you shouldn’t use them in a house with dogs.
Other nut trees: In general, dogs shouldn’t eat nuts. Do not allow your dog to consume nuts from nut trees, including almond, pecan, hickory, and walnut. Ingestion may result in intestinal obstruction and gastrointestinal issues.
Canines are harmed by maple trees?
The eastern United States and Canada are home to red maple trees, which are not wholly harmful to animals. The red maple tree’s leaves are what make them deadly. In particular, the leaves must be wilted or desiccated, like those on a broken limb during a strong windstorm. Both the autumn-falling dead leaves and the leaves on a living tree are safe.
Clinical symptoms often appear between 12 and 48 hours after intake. Death could happen 3-6 days after consumption. Depression, exhaustion, an inability to eat, stomach pain, a slower heartbeat, breathing difficulties, a fever, and darkened mucous membranes are all indicators of poisoning.
Consumption of toxins: Since there is no established minimum threshold for toxicity, any possible consumption should be reported right away. In 60–65% of cases, death occurs.
Do dogs eat evergreen trees poison?
Your pet will be drooling at your feet, anxious to make a snack out of the neatly hanging snacks, while you may have fantasies of stringing popcorn garlands, tinsel strands, and salt dough decorations around your lovely fir tree. Your Christmas tree may still be dangerous to your pet even if it doesn’t include any sparkly or food-based ornaments. Before placing your pet in front of the tree wearing an elf hat or antlers for your holiday card photo, think about these risks:
- Live Trees: Fir, spruce, and pine trees make wonderful Christmas trees and are typically safe for pets to be around. The needles, however, have the potential to upset your stomach and irritate your mouth.
- Artificial Trees: Despite being free of oil and sap, synthetic trees may cause digestive problems depending on their material composition.
- Fertilized Water: If you put up your Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, you need fertilize the water or add preservatives to it to make sure it survives until Christmas. If your pet drinks from the tree stand, these pollutants, mildew, and germs could make them sick.
- Ornaments: Your pet might regard your glass ornaments, clay reliquaries, and ceramic ornaments as fantastic bats, but they could shatter and crash to the ground, injuring paws.
- Lights: Glittering strings of light can enchant your dog and excite your cat, but they pose a choking risk and can cause electrical burns.
Are dogs poisoned by oak trees?
Autumn is arrived! The time of year when people go out to collect apples and pumpkins, dress up for Halloween, and rake leaves into enormous piles. (And then, of course, diving into them!) Fall can undoubtedly be a joyful and exciting season for all people, including your dog. While you and your animal buddy enjoy the season, there are various risks to be aware of due to the variety of activities and agriculture. What to watch out for includes:
Acorns and Oak Leaves
The trees in your yard may be attractive and provide excellent shade, but if your dog eats their leaves or acorns, they could be harmful. Dog owners should make a habit of picking up dropped acorns or enclosing parts of the yard where they can be found since acorns provide a choking and intestinal blockage risk for dogs. Oak acorns and young oak leaves not only pose a choking risk, but they also contain a substance called gallotannin that can severely upset a dog’s digestive system and result in vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and damage to the liver and kidneys.
Along with oaks, dogs may also experience nausea, weakness, and depression if they swallow the leaves and bark of black locust trees, which are common in the Southeast of the United States. Additionally, red maple leaves should not be used around horses, as they are poisonous (although not to dogs and cats). Large doses of red maple leaves can induce severe hemolytic anemia in horses, which can manifest as shock, pale gums, weakness, and other symptoms.
Leaf Piles
While both people and pets enjoy playing in leaf heaps, they can also contain hidden risks. A variety of diseases are transferred by ticks, mites, and other parasites that can be found hiding among the leaves. Check your dog for bugs after each time he comes inside from the outdoors and make sure he is up to date on all of his tick and flea meds. For more information on how to protect your dog from these tiny dangers, see our previous posts on ticks and fleas. Additionally, leaf piles can serve as a haven for snakes, our next fall hazard.
Snakes
Snakes are moving around because of the early-pleasant fall’s weather. While out on a walk with your dog, keep an eye out for potential hiding spots for snakes. Make a point of studying what snakes are in your area, where they like to hide, and how to identify them. Some regions of the country are home to particularly venomous types of snakes.
Autumn Crocus
Not to be confused with the Iridaceae family of plants that bloom in the spring, the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) contains an alkaloid called colchicine that is harmful to dogs. Ingesting this plant “can result in severe gastrointestinal symptoms (such as drooling, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, etc.), liver and kidney damage, respiratory failure, central nervous system symptoms (such as seizures), and even death,” according to the Pet Poison Helpline. To keep your dog away from them, look around your home to see if there are any, then draw up a perimeter around them. In order to prevent your dog from getting into these flowers and other dangerous plants in your yard, your local DogWatch Dealer can assist you in selecting the best hidden fence option.
Antifreeze
People frequently replace their antifreeze in the fall. Ethylene glycol, which is present in antifreeze, is sweet-tasting to dogs and cats but lethal to them if consumed in even small doses. Contact should therefore be avoided at all costs. When changing your antifreeze, keep your dog indoors and be careful to mop up any antifreeze puddles that may have formed. Keep an eye on your dog when he’s outside to be sure he isn’t drinking from puddles where antifreeze may have leached. If you suspect your dog has taken some antifreeze, be sure to be aware of the symptoms so you can get him to the doctor right away for emergency antidote therapy. Lethargy, increased thirst, behaving “drunk or uncoordinated,” and lethargy are all indications of antifreeze intoxication.
Compost Bins or Piles
Composting is a terrific way to help the environment, but your dogs may not appreciate the danger these piles provide. The decomposing stuff in them may contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, which can cause agitation, overheating, hyperresponsiveness, panting, drooling, and vomiting. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to severe CNS problems like lack of coordination, tremors, and seizures. To prevent your dog from accessing your compost pile, we advise installing a DogWatch Hidden Fence system. Make sure to take your dog to the veterinarian right away if he DOES end up in the compost pile and starts exhibiting any of these symptoms.
Mushrooms
While many wonderful, edible wild mushrooms are in season now, there are also those that are poisonous and even hallucinogenic. Even while we can train ourselves to spot the differences, most dogs treat them all the same. Sadly, consuming wild mushrooms can cause serious health issues in dogs and possibly cause death. When Dwyane “The Rock Johnson revealed that his French bulldog pet Brutus died after eating a mushroom in his yard, canine mushroom toxicity made headlines in 2015. Due to the difficulty in distinguishing which mushrooms are toxic from those that are not, veterinarian Dr. Justine A. Lee advises taking your dog right away to the doctor if you notice him consuming ANY mushrooms. To ensure that the dog’s system is cleared of the mushrooms, your veterinarian will likely want to pump the dog’s stomach.
Rodenticides
It’s time to break out the rodenticides and mouse traps once the weather cools off since that’s when the rodents start coming inside. Rodenticides can be fatal to dogs, whether they are eaten directly or indirectly (for example, if your dog eats a mouse that has consumed rodenticides). Get your dog to the vet right away if you think it may have consumed rodenticides, and be careful to tell the vet exactly what chemicals you (or your neighbor) have been using. Naturally, there is a risk of harm from mousetraps if a curious dog sticks a paw inside. Restrict your pets’ access to any mouse or rat poison and traps, and keep them out of their reach. A DogWatch Indoor Boundary system is a reliable solution to keep your animals out of places like this that are unsafe.
Moth Balls
Be careful when putting away your summer clothing because dogs and cats can die from ingesting moth balls. A dog that has consumed mothballs may exhibit signs including vomiting, anemia, lethargy, and even kidney or liver damage; this animal has to be treated by a veterinarian very once. Modern mothballs, which include paradichlorobenzene (PDB), can still make pets unwell if consumed, while older mothballs containing naphthalene are thought to be the most dangerous.
Chocolate
Remember that moth balls can be dangerous to dogs and cats if consumed while you pack away your summer clothing. A dog that has consumed mothballs could exhibit signs like vomiting, anemia, lethargy, and perhaps kidney or liver damage; in such cases, a veterinarian should be seen right once. Ingesting current mothballs, which include paradichlorobenzene (PDB), can still make pets sick. Naphthalene-containing older mothballs are thought to be the most dangerous.
Do dogs have permission to eat tree branches?
Almost anything they can get their mouths on will be chewed by them. Some dogs eat more exotic items, however many prefer more common ones like non-rawhide bones, chew toys, and occasionally a shoe (always one from the prettiest pair in your wardrobe). Why do dogs eat sticks? Trees and their derivatives, such as sticks, bark, pine cones, mulch, acorns, and wood objects, are one such example of an unusual item that dogs occasionally chew on.
You’re not alone if you’ve ever peered out the window to see your dog munching on a tree in the backyard. Many dog owners have been perplexed by this peculiar pet behavior.
The act of chewing on trees is not amusing, despite how it may appear. For your dog, chewing sticks has no nutritional value, and some trees may even be harmful. Dogs are particularly known to be harmed by the poisonous red maple and black walnut trees. Even innocuous tree bark can be problematic if consumed in big quantities since it can clog the intestines. The teeth of your dog can be harmed by chewing on trees, and tiny wood splinters can become loose and get lodged in their mouths and esophaguses. Larger splinters can aggravate existing gut health problems.
Why then do dogs enjoy chewing on trees and sticks? Several factors could account for the behavior, including:
