Pawsitively Lakewood: Poisonous Plants

My dog Winston sees the world as his personal toy, especially when he's outside. “Hey dad, I want to play!”

He barks. Then yank! A daffodil pops out of the ground . He takes off across the yard prancing about in victory. The drop-it command is interpreted as: shake all the petals on the ground and shove the rest in a bush.

Later that day, Winston has a very upset stomach. He has encountered one of the many common but poisonous plants of our backyards.

Spring explodes every year with a multitude of plants of every shape, size and color.

Many over the years have been bred or adapted to protect themselves against disease, insects and larger herbivores. Our dogs usually avoid such plants but can't always be relied upon to remember that they are carnivores.

When I moved into my house 5 years ago it had a large and amazing flower garden. Unfortunately for me I was clueless on how to care for this domestic jungle. Some plants didn’t stick around more than a year due to my ignorance or them being ugly and spiny.

As years went on, I figured out how to keep the rest alive without knowing their identities.

One day I came across a picture of nightshade, a fairly well known poison. I recognized it as the vine with the little purple flowers throughout my yard. I ripped it out feeling that happy I've protected my furry family feeling.

But I began researching the rest of my garden and found that many of the flowers of my yard are toxic. Most I left intact, with the logic of 'if they haven't eaten them so far then they won't eat them next time'.

I think this is information that everyone with a dog should have, for the just in case moments.

Following is a list of some of the more popular plants that may be in your yard.

Nightshade: A vine with purple flowers and berries. It is a neurotoxin which can causes any of the organs of the body to function improperly or cease all together. It also causes skin to rash, dry out and possible fall off. Tomatoes are also of the nightshade family and in quantity can have ill affects on dogs as well. This is primarily with the vines and unripened tomatoes.

Daffodils: If eaten, primarily the bulbs, can cause severe gastric distress ranging from diarrhoea and vomit to seizures and low blood pressure.

Tulips: Ingestion will lead to gastric issues and depression.

Rhododendron: Eating this plant can lead to gastric issues and loss of use of neural and cardiovascular abilities.

Crocus: Eating the bulb of this plant can causes gastric, cardiac and renal issues.

Morning Glory: Can cause diarrhea and hallucinations.

Buckeye: Eating these will cause a severely upset stomach.

Hydrangea: When broken there is actually a cyanide fluid within and causes gastric issues.

This is just the tip of the iceberg on local plants that are toxic to our best friends. Pay attention to what plants your dog may be interested in, around your backyard. Find out what these plants are and if they are toxic. 

Prevention is your best defense to against dog poisoning. Poison control is expensive and your local vet isn't always open when emergencies happen.

I am leaving you with a couple links that have a more extensive list of plants and their effects. Till next time I hope you and your furry family members enjoy your springtime.

A printable list from the AKC

http://www.akc.org/pdfs/public_education/hazardous_plants.pdf

An extensive list of toxic plants and chemicals

http://www.doberdogs.com/Toxic.html

The cartoon was done by Kelly Griffith from Life @ Silly Dogs it cannot be copied without permission.

http://lifeatsillydogs.blogspot.com/

The picture of nightshade is from Ontario Flower's website

http://www.ontariowildflower.com/wildflower_waste_alien2.htm