In 2013, more than 9,000 calls to the Pet Poison hotline were directly related to a pet eating a toxic plant. Considering the hundreds of toxic plants out there, this number isn’t surprising.
So what are some of the common plants you should keep far, far away from Fluffy and Fido?
Sago Palms
Where you will find Sago Palms: Sago Palms are commonly used in landscaping across Texas
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms of toxicity: vomiting, diarhea, lethargy, abnormal fluid accumulation in abdomen, abdominal pain, jaundice, black tarry stool
How toxic: Even with aggressive treatment, survival rate is roughly one in two
Yews
Where you will find Yews: Yews are commonly used in landscaping across Texas
Toxic to: Dogs and cats
Symptoms of toxicity: Early signs for dogs include muscle tremors and seizures shortly followed by sudden death
How toxic: Fatal; Ingestion causes sudden death from acute cardiac failure
Oleander
Where you will find Oleander: Oleander is a common garden shrub that blooms from summer to fall
How toxic: Moderate to severe (interferes with electrolyte balance in the heart)
Wisteria
Where you will find Wisteria: Everywhere… Wisteria is an invasive plant species in Texas that overtakes native species and lives for many years
Toxic to: Dogs and Cats
Symptoms of toxicity: Vomiting (sometimes with blood), diarrhea, depression.
How toxic: Mild to severe
Pothos
Where you will find Pothos: Inside; it is a very common house plant
Toxic to: Dogs and Cats
Symptoms of toxicity: oral irritation, intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
How toxic: Mild to moderate
Lillies
Where you will find Lillies: Outdoor gardens and common indoor decoration
Toxic to: Cats
Symptoms of toxicity: lethargy, hiding, vomiting, diarrhea, halitosis, dehydration, inappropriate urination or thirst, seizures, death.
How toxic: Moderate to severe; Note that some lilies are only mildly dangerous while others are potentially fatal (for example, day lilies and tiger lilies)
What other plants have you come across in Central Texas that you know your furry friends shouldn’t touch?
