Pet Friendly Gardens: The 5 Most Common Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants
All safe out here!
Spring will soon be here (yaaay!) and the task of sprucing up and replanting our gardens is not far behind. Keep your four-legged family members in mind when shopping for new plant materials for your garden as some can be deadly.
Toxic Plants
Listed here are five of the most common toxic plants and the red flags to watch for should your pet snack on one.
- Aloe Vera (dogs and cats): vomiting, diarrhea, depression, anorexia, changes in urine color, or tremors (rare)
- Kalanchoe (dogs and cats): drooling, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias, weakness, collapse, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, or death
- Lantana (dogs and cats): depression, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or possible liver failure
- Oleander dogs, cats, horses, cows, and birds): drooling, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias, weakness, collapse, dilated pupils, tremors, seizures, or death
- Sago Palm (dogs and cats): vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abnormal fluid accumulation in abdomen, abnormal pain, jaundice, or black-tarry stool
Consult the Pet Poison Helpline website for a complete list and details of toxicity levels
Safe Plants
The good news is there is a wide variety of gorgeous to choose from that will provide you with a beautifully landscaped garden that are non-toxic to animals.
- Alyssum: also known as American Rubber Plant, Pepper Face or Baby Rubber Face
- Acreca Palm: also known as Golden Butterfly Palm, Cane Palm, Golden Feather Palm, or Yellow Palm
- Bottlebrush: also known as Callistemon, Red Bottlebrush, Lemon Bottlebrush, or Crimson Bottlebrush
- Canna Lily: also known as Cannaceae, Garden Canna, Canna Generalis
- Impatiens Plant: also known as Inpatients, Jewelweed, Snapweed, or Busy Lizzy
This is just a small sampling of toxic and non-toxic plants. The Pet Poison Helpline hosts an extensive and detailed list of plants that are toxic to animals and how to recognize if your pet has plant poisoning. Check this list for plants that are common in your climate or consult an expert at your local nursery and plant wisely.
What to do if your pet has consumed poisonous plant material
If you fear your pet may have eaten one of these plants:
- Remove your pet from the plant area
- Ensure they are safe (breathing and acting normally)
- Do NOT give them a homemade poison remedy
- Do NOT induce vomiting
- Call the Pet Poison Helpline at 800.213.6680 for guidance (open 24/7)
- Contact your vet or local emergency pet hospital immediately
Keep your pets safe and enjoy your garden this spring and summer together!
In Suzi's Words 