Picture this: you’re whiling away the afternoon in the backyard, hanging out with your favorite pup by the garden. Every so often, he gets up to sniff a flower, maybe take a little nip at the grass. The sun is shining and everything is right within your little paradise…Or is it?
This delightful description might sound lovely, but there’s a secret hidden danger lurking just below the surface. A surprising number of plants found in and around American homes are, in fact, extremely poisonous to dogs; just a single nibble can make them extremely sick.
The only real way to keep your pup safe around plants is to know which plants are poisonous or toxic in the first place. And when it comes to problematic flora, the entries on this list are the worst. Keep it handy all throughout the growing season to ensure you don’t accidentally expose your pup to harm.
Deadly Nightshade
Sometimes referred to as snake berries or belladonna, Atropa belladonna often grows wild in yards next to patios, decks, and buildings. It is a remarkably pretty plant, with deep red to black berries and forest green leaves that dance along stretched-out vines.
In fact, nightshade is SO pretty that some people grow it by choice!
Atropa belladonna contains several extremely poisonous compounds. It is toxic not only to dogs, but also to humans (especially children). In fact, it’s considered so toxic that just two berries from a mature plant can kill a child, meaning it’s likely to be just as toxic for your pup, too.
So here’s how to get rid of it: pull it up by the roots, preferably in early spring. If it has already fruited, or if you leave roots behind, you may have to come back the next growing season to pull up the remainder. It’s still worth the effort.
Aloe Attracts Dogs
Surprised to see this one on the list? Aloe vera might be great for humans as a topical gel for soothing sunburns – or even as an ingredient in drinks – but much of the plant contains the alkaloid anthraquinone glycoside. In dogs, this substance acts like a purgative, meaning it can cause vomiting, nausea, and extreme diarrhea.
Most dogs get over aloe poisoning with just minimal support at the vet (fluids are often necessary). But dogs also seem to be remarkably attracted to the plant, and may go after even the smallest window versions voraciously. Keep it up high, behind glass, or don’t grow it – there are other much safer alternatives.
Ivy
We’ve used the general term “ivy” here because the list of ivy species considered toxic is quite long. Poison ivy is of course one of them, but English ivy, glacier ivy, and needlepoint ivy are all problematic, too. Virtually all species that grow – or can be grown indoors – in the United States contain triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds that cause extreme gastrointestinal problems.
Jade Plants
Jade plants (including around 1,500 different species under the family Crassulaceae, all of which are native to South Africa) are beautiful. Most have a lovely, almost rubber-like appearance, and that makes them an extremely attractive choice for window plants and small potted indoor gardens.
Researchers aren’t yet sure exactly which part of the jade plant causes problems for dogs, but do know that dogs who ingest any part of the plant often experience intense, potentially dangerous symptoms. This includes heartbeat irregularities, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and rarely, even death.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia plants (family Araceae, which is comprised of several different species) are remarkably common in the United States, too. In fact, they’re one of the most common backyard garden plants used for cover because of their large green leaves striated with white stripes.
All species contain compounds called raphides, which cause breathing difficulties, respiratory collapse, and convulsions in humans and dogs upon ingestion. Because the leaves grow so large, the risk of poisoning is much higher than it is with other plants; dogs are more likely to eat a sizeable amount, versus just a nibble.
Pothos Is a Deal Breaker
The Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) grows as a vine with fleshy, shiny leaves with speckled or striated leaves of green, yellow, and white. It is by far one of the most common indoor and outdoor ‘vine plants’ grown by American homeowners, and there’s a great reason for that. Pothos grows like a weed with almost zero care and looks great,too. You can forget to water it for weeks, leave it without sun, or even go on vacation; the moment you water it when you come home, it springs back to life.
Sadly, the lovely pothos is also a serious deal breaker for pet parents with dogs. When ingested, or even just mouthed, it causes extreme irritation, burning, numbness, and almost caustic damage to mucosal tissues. If enough is ingested, dogs can even experience seizures, tremors, and CNS collapse.
Most Lilies
Lillies are the flower of the spring and, in the case of the tiger lily, a symbol of the tropics. Sure, they’re beautiful – there’s no denying it. But they’re also poisonous to virtually every type of pet you can have: dogs, cats, horses, goats, chickens, you name it, they can be harmed by it.
Lilies contain colchicine alkaloids that devastate a dog’s system in many different ways, but the severity of symptoms may differ plant to plant.
Crinum lily and rain lily often cause disorientation and diarrhea, while calla lily and peace lily can cause the same symptoms plus seizures, dehydration, and tremors.
Star lily, glory lily, lily of the valley are all exceptionally toxic, even in low doses. Upon ingestion, they cause organ failure, seizures, shock, dehydration, and death in a matter of hours.
Plant poisoning is very serious in dogs because they often lack the physical ability to clear toxins on their own. If you think your dog has ingested or made contact with a poisonous plant, snip a clipping and bring it and your dog to the vet immediately. This will help them identify the proper species so they can provide supportive care and help Fido recover from their gastronomic explorations!