These Plants are Toxic and Could Harm Your Pets

Sat, Oct 21, 2023 22:21 CET

Pets are generally curious beings and may be tempted from time to time to sniff out, lick, or chew on plants, bushes and trees. Unfortunately, there are some plants that could cause harm to your pets, so it's important to know which plants could be dangerous for your pets. That way, you can avoid them.

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Below, gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at MyJobQuote.co.uk goes over everything you need to know about which plants could be toxic for your pets and why. So, if you have a curious cat, dog or other pet in your home, read this list to find out which plants you should avoid at all costs.

Oleander

The Oleander plant is the most dangerous plant in UK gardens due to it being very toxic for both humans and animals. This plant is very poisonous, and if you ingest even a very small amount of this plant, it can result in death. Physical contact with the plant can cause allergic reactions and severe skin irritations. It's important to keep Oleanders away from children and pets. If you have pets or children in your garden regularly, it's best to avoid this plant at all costs. This is the safest thing you can do to protect your pets and your family. Whenever you are handling Oleanders, it is very important to wear protective clothing and gloves to protect your skin.

Foxgloves

Foxgloves are a common woodland plant that grows throughout the UK. They are also a common plant in UK gardens. However, this plant contains toxic cardiac glycosides. If your pet ingests any parts of this plant, this can result in serious poisoning.

Deadly Nightshade

Deadly Nightshade is a plant with purple and green flowers and untoothed oval leaves. It features several green berries that then ripen into a black colour. Every part of this plant is toxic, and the berries are particularly poisonous. Ingesting the berries can result in a range of side effects that can be very dangerous.

Lords-and-Ladies

This plant features large, arrow-shaped leaves with purple spots. The flowering spike has a yellow and green hood which surrounds the flower. It features green, orange or red berries, depending on how ripe they are. All parts of this plant can cause reactions. However, the berries are particularly poisonous. The small needle-shaped crystals contained within this plant can cause severe skin irritations. Ingesting the plant can cause a range of dangerous side effects.

Monkshood

Monkshood is one of the most poisonous plants in the UK. It features hooded flowers in various colours, making it very pretty to look at, resulting in it being a popular garden plant. All parts of this plant are poisonous. If any parts of the plant are ingested, it can cause some severe side effects. The poison in this plant may result in death if large amounts are ingested.

Poison Hemlock

Poison hemlock is a tall plant with hollow purple-blotched stalks. This plant is most commonly found in damp areas. It contains toxins and is poisonous to humans and animals. Ingesting even a small amount of the plant can cause some serious side effects.

Lilies

All parts of a lily plant can be toxic to animals and can lead to kidney damage if ingested. Unfortunately, this can be fatal. It's important to keep your pets away from lily plants. Lily pollen can easily fall onto your pet's fur, which they may then ingest when they groom themselves.

Azalea

Azaleas contain substances known as grayanotoxins. These toxins can produce drooling, vomiting, weakness, depression, and diarrhoea in animals. Severe poisoning can lead to coma or death.

Chrysanthemum

These are popular blooms in UK gardens. However, they contain pyrethrins. If ingested, this could cause vomiting, drooling, and diarrhoea in pets. In severe cases, your pet may experience loss of coordination and depression.

English Ivy

English Ivy contains triterpenoid saponins. These can cause vomiting, hypersalivation, abdominal pains, and diarrhoea if your pet ingests the plant. This trailing plant should be kept away from curious pets.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many different plants that could be potentially harmful to your pets. With this in mind, it's a good idea to take note of this list and inspect your garden to see if you have any of these plants lurking around. It's also smart to make a note of these plants so that you can avoid purchasing any of these plants in the future.

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