Although people don't eat houseplants and rarely munch on shrubs or ground cover, pets often do. That's why it's crucial to ensure that your pet won't try to snack on your plants before bringing any potentially toxic plants into your home – and it's surprising how many plants are toxic to pets.
Use apps to identify plants
Many people don't know the names of all the plants in their yard, but a plant identification app can help. Just take a picture and the app will identify the plant for you. Some of these apps can also tell you if plants are toxic to pets. If they don't, you can use a database to do some research. Rover has a new searchable database that can tell you if plants are toxic and what symptoms to look out for in pets if they are ingested. It's important to note that dogs and cats have different sensitivities, so something toxic to dogs might be safe for cats, and vice versa.
Toxic vs. poisonous
Not all plants are toxic to pets; some are merely poisonous, and there's a difference. Toxic plants can harm pets through surface contact or inhalation, even if they’re not likely to be chewed. On the other hand, poisonous plants have to be ingested to be dangerous. However, some plants are so poisonous that they only need to be consumed once to have dire consequences. Therefore, it's important to ensure your pet is isolated from such plants. Dr. Dan Teich, who runs District Veterinary Hospitals in Washington, DC, notes, "The good news is most plants will not cause permanent damage to your pet. Many are irritants, can cause excessive salivation, and upset stomach, but usually these symptoms will pass. This is common with philodendrons, poinsettias, pothos, and many common houseplants."
Avoid these common plants
Teich notes that the most common plant-related incidents they see involve a commonly gifted flower. "True lilies are the most dangerous of all plants for cats; even the pollen can be deadly. Lilies can lead to irreversible kidney failure in a cat within days. Calla lilies and peace lilies are not true lilies and may cause intestinal upset in your pet." He warns that if you suspect lily ingestion, you should seek immediate care for your cat.
Please be mindful that certain plants pose risks to pets, as noted by Teich. For instance, consuming large amounts of azalea leaves can lead to cardiac collapse and even death. Sago palms, which are popular indoor and outdoor plants, can be fatal if ingested by pets and should be treated as an emergency.
In addition to these, foxglove, lily of the valley, and oleander can have serious effects on your pet's heart. If you are unsure whether a plant is harmful to your pet, you can contact the ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
Learn to recognize symptoms
Pets can show various symptoms when they are exposed to toxic plants. Some easily noticeable symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, seizures, and excessive drooling. There are also less obvious symptoms such as loss of appetite, tiredness, muscle tremors or uncoordinated movements, unusual bruising or bleeding, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Cats typically display more neurological symptoms, while dogs may experience more gastrointestinal symptoms.Since many of these symptoms can resemble normal pet behavior (such as pets eating grass and vomiting without any toxicity), it's important to be attentive when the symptoms start and take action if they persist. Your pet vomiting once might not be a cause for concern, but continuous vomiting should be taken seriously, regardless of the underlying cause. If you're unsure or need advice, call either of the provided hotlines. There will be a fee (which some pet insurance plans may cover), but as Teich points out, "compared to the potential consequences, it might be worth the investment."
Take action
Even though emergency veterinarian care can be expensive, you should not attempt to make your pet throw up unless your veterinarian has given you the all clear. Doing so can result in esophageal issues. It will be beneficial if you can identify the plant in concern or if you can bring a sample, picture, or both with you to the veterinarian. Depending on what was consumed, you may need to seek emergency veterinary care or wait for your veterinarian to open, but the sooner you receive treatment, the better.
Teich notes that the veterinarian's line of action for a pet exhibiting possible plant toxicity is contingent upon the owner's promptitude in taking appropriate action. "In order to determine the optimal treatment plan, we first attempt to identify the plant. The first line of treatment is to force the pet to vomit up any leftover plant material within an hour or two of consumption. For some plants, the dog or cat is subsequently given an activated charcoal slurry to eat, which absorbs any leftover poisons in the intestines and stomach. Hospitalization in fluids with further supportive care may be required, depending on the condition of the plant and the clinical indicators observed."
Even while many plants are not toxic enough to kill an animal, they can nevertheless have long-term impacts that will hurt the animal and require money to heal. Almost all animal treatment centers can assist you in obtaining emergency credit expressly for the care of your pet, and your veterinarian may offer a community care program to help with emergency charges.
Prepare, just in case
It's important to be prepared for emergencies when it comes to your pets. Always keep your vet's contact information handy, along with the details of the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary care facility. It's also a good idea to have pet insurance in place to help with any unexpected expenses. Remember that even with insurance, you may need to pay expenses upfront, so having money set aside or a dedicated credit card can be helpful. Investing in pet-safe plants and appropriate barriers to keep your pets away from toxic plants can also make financial sense in the long run.
