People like to surround themselves with plants in their homes and thus bring a piece of nature into their homes.
However, some of the colorful houseplants pose a significant risk to the animals living in the house because they are poisonous.
As a dog owner, you should therefore pay particular attention to the natural decoration you use at home. Depending on the plant species, the poisoning can be very serious and sometimes even fatal.
Avoid poisonous houseplants
Unfortunately, the statement that animals know what is poisonous to them is not always true. Therefore, these indoor plants can be dangerous for the dog:
- amaryllis
- christ thorn
- clive
- dieffenbachia
- ivy
- leaf
- window leaf
- rubber tree
- heart leaf
- cob thread
- philodendron
- Christmas star
We, humans, enjoy plants by looking at them. Our dogs, on the other hand, explore plants with their noses and sometimes with their muzzles.
Dogs do not recognize these plants nor do they know that they can harm them. Therefore, it happens again and again that dogs chew poisonous leaves, snack on flowers, or dig up root tubers.
Puppies and young dogs are particularly at risk. They are much more curious than adult animals and like to nibble on plants.
Rapid help in case of poisoning
If you catch your pet eating plants, take the plant parts away immediately.
If the dog reacts after eating with symptoms such as choking, vomiting, salivating, or diarrhea, you must consult the veterinarian.
The following information is particularly important for the veterinarian:
- When was the poison eaten?
- Which plant is it? Take a sample with you.
- How much has the animal eat?
As a result, depending on the plant eaten, cramps, unsteady gait, or convulsions can occur. Then, at the latest, the utmost haste is required.
Never try to make the dog vomit. Home remedies such as soapy water, salt water, or milk can make the symptoms worse.
As a first aid measure, you can administer activated charcoal to your animal. It binds the poison in the intestine. To do this, dissolve the charcoal in lukewarm water and give this liquid to your animal.
1. Amaryllis
The whole plant of the popular houseplant with the large flower is poisonous.
Houseplants poisonous to dogs
Below are the main poisonous houseplants.
1. Amaryllis
The whole plant of the popular houseplant with the large flower is poisonous.
In particular, however, the onion can trigger very strong symptoms. These include vomiting, diarrhea, colic, cardiac arrhythmias, cramps, and severe tremors.
2. Thorn of Christ
Christ’s thorn is one of the spurge plants. The milky sap of this plant is poisonous. It irritates the mucous membrane of the mouth.
It comes to stomach problems and colic. If the animal’s eyes come into contact with the milk, it can cause temporary blindness.
3. Dieffenbachia
The Dieffenbachia is also known under the name Giftaron and is highly toxic to dogs. The tribe is particularly dangerous here.
The poison irritates the mucous membranes of the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Difficulty swallowing, loss of voice, and bloody diarrhea occur.
4. Ivy
Ivy is popular both in the garden and in the home. The leaves, berries, and stems are particularly poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, and convulsions.
5. Leaflet
The single leaf is often used as a houseplant because of the decorative leaves. The leaves and stems of this plant are poisonous.
After ingestion, the dog begins to salivate, vomit, have diarrhea, and have difficulty swallowing.
6. Window leaf
The leaves of this very decorative plant are mainly poisonous. The dog is salivating. This is followed by diarrhea, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
7. Rubber tree
The rubber tree comes in many varieties and they are all poisonous to dogs. All parts of the plant can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
8. Sweetheart
Sweetheart is a popular climbing plant whose shoots and leaves are dangerous. Symptoms include salivation, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and bleeding.
9. Clivia
The clivia is one of the amaryllis plants and, like the amaryllis itself, the entire plant is poisonous, but mainly the bulb.