Pet warning, toxic plants

By Kylie Mackay, Northshore Pet Resort

Some pet owners might be surprised to know that many plants around the home and garden are poisonous and may be toxic to their furry friends.

Plant toxicity is more common than you may think, with local veterinarians seeing cases at their clinics. This can be avoided if we know which plants to look out for.

It is believed that no plant can be labelled truly ‘safe’ as they all impact different systems in the body in some way or another.

Symptoms range from mild to highly toxic, even if only ingested in a small amount. Common symptoms to look out for include vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, lethargy, loss of appetite, shock, tremors, depression and paralysis.

Here is a list of common house plants and flowers that are toxic to cats and dogs:

• Cannabis - whether from the plant, leftover matter or edibles, this is one of the most common plant poisonings seen in dogs
• Lilies - very common in the home and often given as gifts, lilies such as the peace lily, calla lily, Easter lily and Tiger lily are highly toxic for pets and potentially fatal to cats
• Sagos Palms
• Ivy
• Philodendrons
• Chinese Evergreen
• Rubber Tree Plant
• Asparagus
• Lantana
• Aloe Vera - despite being considered a medicinal plant for humans, Aloe Vera is toxic to our pets
• Tulips
• Holly
• Daffodils

Our pets are curious creatures and love to investigate by chewing, biting and licking almost anything and everything. This can include flowers and plants, and unfortunately, even a beautiful bouquet can be toxic to our pets.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list, and plants can have various names, so it is best to check all names when assessing their safety risk.

If you suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, contact your local vet immediately or your closest Emergency Veterinary Service hospital.

If possible, take along the flower or plant to show your vet, which will help them provide faster treatment.