Plants poisonous to pets

Pets can’t distinguish a useful plant from a harmful one, so the owner's responsibility is to know what the pet can do and what is strictly prohibited for it.

Pets love indoor plants, even if this love is not always mutual. Combining your favorite animals with plants in one apartment turns into a real challenge. The problem is that a pet can eat a plant, the leaves and roots of which are dangerous and even deadly to the animal.

It is usual for cats and dogs to chew flowers and grass. This can be caused by a lack of certain substances in the body, and sometimes by simple curiosity. At the same time, there is an opinion that animals instinctively sense danger. But over the years of living next to a person, they have lost the ability to recognize what is useful and what is poisonous. Eating or, for example, licking toxic plants can cause serious poisoning, allergies, and even death in cats, dogs, parrots, hamsters and other pets.

Consider 10 Poisonous Plants for Pets:

1. Aroid

Dieffenbachia, Monstera, Spaphyllum, Anthurium, Scindapsus, Epipremnum, Syngonium, Philodendron, Caladium, Taro.

What is poisonous: all parts of these plants (foliage, stems, flowers, roots). The poisonous plant sap contains toxic proteins and cyanide compounds, and even a small dose of these compounds can lead to the death of the animal.

What are the consequences: burns and swelling of the mucous membranes and larynx. If it gets into the eyes, conjunctivitis and an irreversible change in the cornea can develop.

2. Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia, Croton, Akalifa, Jatropha.

What's harmful: poisonous plant sap.

What are the consequences: burns, ulcers, inflammation of the mucous membranes, impaired nervous activity, dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

Special recommendations: the poisonous plant sap is in the tissues of the euphorbia under pressure and appears on the surface at the slightest damage. It is especially important to place plant pots out of the reach of pets.

3. Solanaceae

Capsicum (decorative pepper), Brovallia, Brunfelsia, Solandra.

What's harmful: poisonous plant sap.

What are the consequences: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness.

Special recommendations: bright fruit can attract both pets and ornamental birds.

4. Apocynaceae

Adenium, Oleander, Mandeville, Catharanthus.

What is harmful: poisonous plant sap contains cardiac glycosides.

What are the consequences: serious violations of cardiac activity in the flesh before death.

5. Aralievs

Hedera (Ivy), Polyscias, Fatsia.

What's poisonous: foliage and stems.

What are the consequences: disorders of nervous activity up to paralysis, disorders of the cardiovascular system.

Special recommendations: at risk of rodents.

6. Amaryllidaceae

Clivia, Hippeastrum, Gemantus.

What is poisonous: the bulbs contain alkaloids, a small part of which is present in the sap of the green parts of plants (leaves and peduncles).

What are the consequences: paralysis, the development of pathologies of internal organs (Clivia is especially dangerous).

7. Heather

Rhododendron.

What's poisonous: leaves.

What are the consequences: numbness, vomiting, overexcitation. Possible violations of the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

8. Mulberry

Ficus.

What is poisonous: when foliage is damaged, juice releases.

What are the consequences: skin burns. If ingested - kidney damage.

9. Sedge

Cyperus.

What's poisonous: leaves.

What are the consequences: disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular system, renal failure.

10. Colchicum

Gloriosa.

What is poisonous: all parts of the plant contain alkaloids.

What are the consequences: blood clotting disorders, severe kidney damage.

How to identify symptoms?

A direct indication of poisoning is nausea, vomiting, or sharp change in habitual behavior (drowsiness, overexcitement). If the animal is behaving suspiciously, inspect the plants for signs of damage and bites on the leaves and stems. If any are found, then the animal needs to be given first aid and urgently shown to the vet!

First aid

The most important thing is to remove the poisonous particles of the plant from the skin, mucous membranes or from the animal's body as soon as possible. If the poisonous plant sap gets on the skin or eyes, rinse them with plenty of water. If there is a suspicion that the animal has swallowed a piece of the plant, it is necessary to give a large amount of water, try to induce vomiting and give sorbents. The next step is to visit the vet. In such a situation, you cannot hesitate! You are risking your pet's life.

Bring a photo of the eaten plant with you, so that the vet can determine the type of toxin and prescribe adequate therapy.

How to keep pets safe?

The first and obvious thing is to give up buying poisonous plants, even if pets don't show interest in them - no pet is safe therefore. The second tip is to keep plants in separate rooms, for example, on a balcony or loggia, and also to teach pets to the fact that green in a pot is dangerous.