Gardening for your pets

By: Monica Bock, ZimmVet Daycare Staff

During this warm weather, we love to let our dogs roam the outdoors and run through the tall grass. It is good to note though that there are some plants that are hazardous to our furry friends. Some plants are known to cause serious medical issues which is why it’s important for all pet parents to know which common plants to keep away from your pets.

Veggies and Fruit to keep away from Rover:

Onions

Onions have been known to cause various types of anemia in dogs and should also be one of the vegetables to be avoided. They have compounds called disulfides and thiosulphate and according to the pet health website, these compounds are harmful in the fact that they damage the red blood cells so it is just best to stay safe and keep them away!

Grapes

Grapes have been known to cause kidney failure in dogs, while it’s not concluded as to what the exact cause for the reaction is, it has been observed that they can cause serious kidney issues resulting in death. Each dog may react differently, however according to the AKC website age, sex and breed has no direct correlation with the effect it has on the pup; it is strictly dependent on the dogs themselves.

Unripe tomatoes

While ripe tomatoes are okay for the occasional treat it is best to keep your unripe tomatoes away from your dogs. Tomatoes are in the nightshade family; this means that they contain components that can potentially be harmful to your pets. Solanine is among the threatening substances that tomatoes produce, found in the stems, leaves and young green unripe tomatoes, they can be dangerous in larger doses to your pet. 

Flowers and foliage to avoid with pets:

Flowers smell great and many of us love to plant various types of sweet smelling and colorful flowers in our homes and outside. Sometimes however, the flowers we plant can be harmful to our pets causing unwanted reactions and ailments if ingested. While the list of flowers to stay away from is long and more research before planting is recommended here are three flowers to stay away from during planting season.

Lilies

There are several flowers that fall under this category; day lilies, Easter lilies, tiger lilies, etc. and these flowers are particularly harmful to cats causing harmful kidney failure. Unlike other plants that have only specific seasons or parts of the plant that may be toxic, the entire lily plant can be potentially hazardous for your pet and should be avoided if your pet likes to eat flowers. They are so toxic to our pets that even the water from a vase of lilies can be potentially toxic to our pets.

Lily of the valley

Don’t be fooled by the name, these flowers are not considered a “true lily” according to the pet poison helpline. These “lilies” do more damage to cats than just cause kidney failure. Lily of the valley has been known to cause heart problems to both cats and dogs and should be handled with care around them. “This plant and its bulb contain cardiac glycosides, a toxin that can cause vomiting and life-threatening heart problems” (Pet insurance Website).

Buttercups

Buttercups, while sounding harmless are actually toxic to cats, dogs and horses, causing irritation of the gastrointestinal membrane thus creating GI upset. “The plants contain the chemical ranunculin, which, when crushed or chewed, becomes the toxin protoanemonin” (pet poison helpline), thankfully however because of the bitter taste and the ability to cause mouth blisters the plant doesn’t generally cause much threat.

What to look out for if your pet ingests these plants:

Unripe tomatoes

If your pet eats the leaves, stem or young tomatoes by chance the following are signs of poisoning and should be treated by a veterinarian according to the AKC webpage:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) upset
• Cardiac effects
• Loss of coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Tremors
• Seizures

Grape poisoning “Vomiting is usually seen within 12 hours of ingestion. Other signs that may occur within 24 hours include”

• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Lack of appetite
• Decreased urination
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Possibly death

Lily toxicity

• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Hiding
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Halitosis
• Dehydration
• Inappropriate urination or thirst
• Seizures

Buttercups when ingested

• redness and swelling of the mouth
• drooling
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• weakness.
• blood-tinged urine
• tremors
• seizures (very rare)