Spring brings us warmer weather, blue skies, and blooming plants. However, it’s important to remember that some seasonal plants may be poisonous to our fur babies. Here are the most commonly found poisonous spring plants, and the signs of poisoning.
Dogs
Daffodils – Found in gardens or kept inside, if dogs ingest daffodils or consume the water they are kept in, this could cause an upset stomach, vomiting, and can make them fatigued. The same reaction can be seen in cats.
Bluebells – These can be found in the woods, so keep your dog close during walks in these areas. If ingested these can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue and disorientation.
Azaleas – These can be a beautiful addition to your garden, however even the smallest amount consumed by your dog could cause difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting.
Tulips – If you’re planning to pick some up from the shop or grow them yourself, keep these away from your pup. Tulips can cause drooling, diarrhoea and vomiting. The same reaction can be seen in cats.
Other poisonous plants include:
- Buttercups
- Crocuses
- Cyclamen
- Elderberry
- Foxglove
- Hyacinth
- Lupin
Cats
Lillies – These are the perfect seasonal flower, however even in a vase of water, they can be extremely poisonous to cats. The flowers, leaves and pollen can get stuck to your cat’s fur and consumed through grooming, this can cause vomiting and even kidney failure.
Amaryllis – The stalks, flowers and bulbs of this beautiful plant, unfortunately, contain a toxin which can cause your cat to vomit, have a change in blood pressure and potentially have a seizure.
Hyacinths – Commonly found blooming in a garden, consuming these can lead to your cat drooling, vomiting and having diarrhoea.
Other poisonous plants include:
- Chrysanthemums
- Gladiolus
- Crocus
- Cyclamen
- Foxglove
- Widow’s thrill
There’s no need to worry as long as you keep these plants out of reach, and there are many pet-friendly plant options which can be used to spruce up the garden or your house this spring.
