Some plants described as toxic will produce unpleasant but not necessarily fatal symptoms, while others are simply too risky to have in the garden. How dangerous a plant is to your dog depends not just on the plant itself, but the part of it and quantity eaten, your dogs size, age, weight, and health status.
Lots of people combine dog ownership with gardens stuffed with toxic plants and never have a problem, but you will have to decide for yourself whether giving known toxic plants a place in your own garden is an acceptable risk. Dont forget that its not just plants in your garden that can be a potential hazard, but those in neighbouring gardens if they grow under, or overhang fences.
Its not just toxicity that you need to think about when choosing plants; some may not be poisonous but pose a risk in other ways, such as having spiky leaves or thorns that might damage eyes and tear thin skin.
Others, such as ornamental grasses, may have seed heads that can cause as much trouble as their wild relatives if they become lodged in ears, eyes, noses, and between the toes.
Even if you think your pet is unlikely to chew on plants, be aware that some can cause skin irritation. I removed a lovely tradescantia from the garden when I discovered that many members of this family are responsible for causing allergic skin reactions. Id already had some trouble with my Whippet Archie in that department, and saw no reason to expose him to yet another possible source of irritation.
Ivy can be another culprit so has also been removed from ground level, although pretty variegated varieties trail from hanging baskets, well out of reach. And a euphorbia left by the previous owners of our house went within a day of moving in as the milky sap can burn.Content continues after advertisements
Plants may be the first and most obvious area of concern when it comes to safety, but there are plenty of other potential hazards in the garden. High on the Veterinary Poisons Information Services (VPIS) list of most common poisons are rodenticides and ant powders, especially those professional products used by pest control companies.
According to the RSPCA, metaldehyde slug and snail pellets are the most common known cause of dog deaths referred to the VPIS. Another slug killer, aluminium sulphate powder, can also be harmful, causing irritation to mucous membranes if it is inhaled, and most dogs love to sniff their way around the garden.
Most of us are aware that chocolate can be lethal to dogs, but so can its waste products in the form of cocoa shells, which are sold as a garden mulch. They smell delicious, and dogs may be tempted to sample them.
Compressed coir is another product which, while being a wonderful compost, needs to be kept away from your dog. It swells phenomenally when water is added, and it doesnt take a lot of imagination to work out what could happen if your dog ingests some while still in its concentrated state.
While gardening organically is generally safer for you, your pet, and the local wildlife, certain products can spell trouble: fertilisers containing blood, bone, fish, or feather meal may be fabulous for plants but might be too tasty to resist for dogs. Ingestion can lead to problems including severe pancreatitis and blockages in the gut.
As a general rule of thumb, its safe to assume that if a plant is toxic to humans then its going to be harmful to your dog too. The reverse doesnt automatically apply though as there are many plants that are safe for us to eat but which can be dangerous for our pets, including grapes, avocado, onions, and leeks.
Do your research before buying plants. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a useful area on its website at www.aspca.org devoted to poisonous and pet-friendly plants with accompanying pictures to help you identify them. Dogs Trust also has a handy list you can consult at www.dogstrust.org.uk
… and your dog eats something he shouldnt, the onset of any clinical effects can take anything from 15 minutes to 48 hours. Symptoms may include salivating and drooling, vomiting, severe diarrhoea, and abdominal tenderness. As soon as you are aware of the problem, dont wait to see if your dog develops any of these signs, but contact your vet immediately. If he thinks it would help to induce vomiting (some things may be as harmful coming up as going down) he will tell you how to go about it, but in most instances it is more important to get your dog to the surgery as quickly as possible. Your vet will then be able to administer more efficient drugs to make your dog vomit, as well as provide any supportive treatment. Take along samples of plant material or packaging of chemicals to ensure correct identification and treatment.
The lists of harmful plants can seem endless, but if you have to sacrifice a few plants for your dogs safety, you can at least console yourself with the fact that there are plenty of dog-friendly alternatives to choose from. A few of my personal favourites, which happily are also easy to grow, include:
Is Lamb’s Ears Plant Poisonous Or Toxic?
Is the lambs ear plant poisonous? This is one of the frequently asked questions about the lamb’s ears.
Most people are suspicious of this fuzzy herb because of its readiness to grow in full sun and dry soil.
No, lamb’s ears plants are not poisonous or toxic; in fact, they are quite the opposite.
The plant is known as woolly woundwort or Woolly Betony due to its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties.
The plant contains betonicine, stachydrene, and trigonelline.
Another ingredient of the herb is tannins.
In the past, it was used as a handy dressing and natural band-aid for cuts and injuries.
The leaves are super absorbent and help the blood clot quickly.
Due to its analgesic properties, it has been used as a poultice too.
The leaves are wrapped over bee or wasp stings to cure the pain and swelling.
The leaves are a great alternative for toilet papers, female hygiene products, and makeup removal swabs.
Washing the eyes with a weak infusion of the plant has helped heal some common eye diseases.
The various benefits of the plant negate the belief that lambs ears are toxic plants.
Is the plant lamb’s ear edible?
It’s not only helpful medicinally, but it’s also edible! Many people enjoy Lamb’s Ear fresh in salads or lightly steamed as vegetables. It tastes like a mix of apples and pineapples, having a delightfully fruity taste. You may also create a very enjoyable tea by steeping dried leaves in boiling water.
According to the RSPCA, metaldehyde slug and snail pellets are the most common known cause of dog deaths referred to the VPIS. Another slug killer, aluminium sulphate powder, can also be harmful, causing irritation to mucous membranes if it is inhaled, and most dogs love to sniff their way around the garden.
Ivy can be another culprit so has also been removed from ground level, although pretty variegated varieties trail from hanging baskets, well out of reach. And a euphorbia left by the previous owners of our house went within a day of moving in as the milky sap can burn.Content continues after advertisements
Plants may be the first and most obvious area of concern when it comes to safety, but there are plenty of other potential hazards in the garden. High on the Veterinary Poisons Information Services (VPIS) list of most common poisons are rodenticides and ant powders, especially those professional products used by pest control companies.
While gardening organically is generally safer for you, your pet, and the local wildlife, certain products can spell trouble: fertilisers containing blood, bone, fish, or feather meal may be fabulous for plants but might be too tasty to resist for dogs. Ingestion can lead to problems including severe pancreatitis and blockages in the gut.
Its not just toxicity that you need to think about when choosing plants; some may not be poisonous but pose a risk in other ways, such as having spiky leaves or thorns that might damage eyes and tear thin skin.
FAQ
Is lamb’s ears poisonous?
How many lamb ears can dogs eat?
Which plants are most toxic to dogs?
