- Author: Jeannette Warnert
“It's the puppies and kittens you have to worry about,” Basso said. “Pet owners should become familiar with the toxic plants, even if they don't have them in their own homes and yards. After all, we walk our dogs, and cats will roam.”
Basso shared an experience of a dog owner in Northern California who had a lavender plant near the dog's water dish.
“He let the lavender fall into the dog's water dish and the dog had a seizure after drinking from it,” she said. “I, too, wouldn't have had a second thought about such a common plant.”
Basso advises pet owners to be careful, but not paranoid, about plants.
“I have many of the plants that are considered poisonous in my own home,” she said. “But I have never had a poisoning incident over the years with my many pets.”
Speaking at a Zoom presentation sponsored by the Woodward Park Library, Basso shared the names of plants that can cause mild symptoms like drooling, and those that cause much more serious concerns, even leading to death. Her list is not exclusive; there may be other less-common plants that can pose a danger to animals. Basso noted that all the plants she is sharing do well in the San Joaquin Valley and are commonly found in Fresno County homes and landscapes.
(For pictures of the plants and more information, see the Zoom presentation.)
Azaleas. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac failure.
Asparagus fern. Causes gastric/intestinal upset and allergic dermatitis.
Box wood. Causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Calla lilies. They cause irritation to mouth and lips.
Chives. Causes blood in the urine and increased heart rate.
Daffodils. Cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and cardiac problems leading to death.
Day lilies. All lilies in the family are poisonous to dogs and cats. They can cause vomiting, tiredness, kidney failure and even death.
English Ivy. Causes increased salivation and abdominal pain.
Ficus and other euphorbias. They produce a white, milky substance within the stems and leaves that can cause blindness.
Fox glove (Digitalis). Can cause cardiac failure.
Garlic. Vomiting and breakdown of red blood cells
Geraniums (Pelargoniums). Cause vomiting, depression and dermatitis.
Hellebores. Can cause drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea.
Holly. It has low toxicity, but can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression.
Hydrangea. Cause vomiting, depression. It can eventually kill a dog or cat if they keep chewing on it.
Mistletoe. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, low heart rate. (People bring in mistletoe during the holidays. This is not a good idea.)
Oleander. These grow all over Fresno, even on freeway medians, because they are drought tolerant and hardy. If eaten, it can cause drooling, abdominal pain and cardiac problems.
Onions. Causes vomiting and the breakdown of red blood cells.
Poinsettia. Causes excessive drooling.
Rhubarb. The leaves are deadly to pets. They cause kidney failure and excessive salivation.
Sweet peas. They can cause weakness, tremors, and even death in dogs and cats.
Tulips. Causes vomiting, diarrhea and depression. The bulb is worse than the flower.
White cyclamens. It can cause excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, heart rhythms and even death.
Wisteria. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea and depression.
Common indoor plants toxic for pets:
Aloes. Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and occasionally, tremors. Severe dehydration is also a risk.
Amarillys. A very popular Christmas flower that can be purchased at nurseries, grocery and big box stores. They can cause vomiting, diarrhea and tremors.
Begonia. Can cause vomiting and excessive salivating in dogs and cats.
Dracaena. It can cause toxic vomiting and excessive salivating.
Dieffenbachia (dumb cane plant). It can cause oral irritation, swelling and drooling.
Geraniums: They can cause cardiac failure, leading to death.
Jade plant. They can cause vomiting, depression and lack of coordination.
Monstera deliciosa. This plant contains cyanide.
Pathos. It can cause oral irritation and excessive drooling.
Peace lily. Can cause vomiting.
Snake plant. Can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Weeping fig. It can cause skin and gastric/intestinal irritation.
ZZ plant. Can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Basso also shared a list of plants that are perfectly safe for pets:
Alyssum
Bachelors' buttons.
Boston fern.
Bottle brush.
Canna lily.
Cast iron plant.
Christmas cactus.
Coral bells.
Crape myrtles.
Creeping Charlie
Echevaria.
Parlor palms or golden butterflies.
Spider plants.
Zebra Hawthorn.
- Author: Jeannette Warnert
“I'm always interested in plants with a fragrance, like rosemary,” he said.
Hemesath returned home and was working on his computer half an hour later when one of his eyes began to itch and burn. At the advice of a neighbor, he washed it out 6 or 7 times, but the burning worsened and his wife took him to the emergency room. Doctors prescribed an antibiotic ointment. The next morning, he said, his eye was swollen closed. And nearly a week later, he still didn't have clear vision in the affected eye.
The plant, Hemesath discovered, is silver spurge (Euphorbia rigida), one of dozens of drought-tolerant plants with toxic properties that are grown in California. A scenario similar to Hemesath's prompted San Diego County UC Master Gardener Francie Murphy to get the word out about toxic plants.
Murphy was trimming a stem on her pencil milk bush when sap spurted into one eye, causing stinging pain. Murphy ended up in the emergency room too.
After her experience, she and a team of Master Gardeners secured funding from the County of San Diego to develop a website and handouts to inform the community about toxic drought-tolerant plants found in many California landscapes.
Drought-tolerant plants like cacti, yucca, agaves and aloes have adaptations to protect themselves from wildlife in search of the moisture within the leaves and stems. Some have spikes or spines to ward off people and animals, other plants don't have outward signs of danger.
A key feature of the website is a database of nearly 100 plants with photos and descriptions that explain how they are unsafe and how they can be used safely in the landscape.
Fire sticks (Euphorbia tirucalli) – Sap in any form, including dry sap, is irritating and can be toxic if it gets on skin or in eyes.
Oleander (Nerium oleander) – The entire plant is toxic if ingested. The wood can be severely irritating if burned in a fire or BBQ.
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – The entire plant is toxic if ingested.
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) – The entire plant of many species is toxic if ingested.
Sago palm (Cycas regoluta) – All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets, and the tips of leaves are surprisingly sharp.
Mexican bird of paradise (Caesalpinia spp.) – Plants, seedpods, seeds and leaves contain toxins, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea and vomiting.
Resources for more information:
- UC Master Gardener Plant Safely website, https://ucanr.edu/sites/PlantSafely/
- Drought-tolerant plants can save water, but beware of those that are toxic
Related:
Toxic Plants for Dogs, Cats and Horses
What plants are poisonous to dogs, cats and horses? How many of those plants are in your garden and your pasture? Keep your animals safe by learning to identify those plants that can be poisonous to your animals. Many of these plants we have taken for granted and never worried about it. Join MG Karen on Zoom to find out.
Saturday, November 18, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Woodward Park Library - Zoom presentation
