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!

Thanksgiving Dinner Goes to the Dogs

Sharing Thanksgiving’s bounty with the furrier members of the family may seem like quite a treat for them. But the usual Thanksgiving fare can be harmful to your pet. Keep your dog safe by making a few small adjustments to his/her menu that will better suit your dog’s palette and tummy.

1. Be sure to remove the skin from the turkey you give your dog and don’t cover it with heavy, fat laden gravy. Otherwise, turkey is really good for dogs.
2. If your pet isn’t used to people food, just add a little turkey and plain vegetables to their regular dog food.
3. Dairy, salt, pepper, and herbs may be too much for your dog to handle. While preparing your family’s vegetables dishes, set aside some cooked potatoes, carrots, or sweet potatoes before adding anything to them. Keep it plain and simple.
4. Believe it or not, turkey bones are not good for dogs. They are hollow inside and splinter easily when chewed. If your dog swallows a sharp piece of broken bone, it can perforate his/her intestinal tract or cause a blockage.
5. Desert – sometimes the best part of Thanksgiving dinner! Pumpkin is very good for dogs, but not when baked in a pie with dairy and spices. Baked pumpkin or canned pumpkin puree (no pie spices) will be a good alternative. Sprinkle a little cinnamon on top; it has many health benefits for dogs and people.

Veterinarians report an increase in canine digestive issues after the holidays from shared family meals. Make it a safe and yummy Thanksgiving for the whole family by following these 5 easy tips or purchasing pre-packaged, healthy dog food.

Published: November 2013

Client: Vintage Nursery