And then there are the plants!

First the question, "Why does my dog eat grass?". Dogs get upset stomachs just like we do. They eat grass because it helps them to throw up, which makes their stomach feel better. Or so I've been told. Makes sense to me anyway, and it seems to work pretty well for my dog, Haley.

Since we are on the subject of leafy, greenie things, let's talk about a few of the other things found in our home & yard our fuzzy children should stay from:

Toxic Plants for Dogs:


Mushrooms:

Mushroom toxicity does occur in dogs and it can be fatal if certain species of mushrooms are eaten. Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroom in the US but other Amanita species are toxic. Symptoms include abdominal pain, drooling, liver damage, kidney damage, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma, and even death.

Holiday Plants:

Pet owners need to take extra care with holiday plants. When the holidays roll around, we often get caught up in the festivities and don't realize that we may be bringing something very dangerous into our home for our pets. Be aware of what holiday decorations may be toxic and avoid turning a happy occasion into a tragic one.

Poinsettias:

These plants are probably the most popular holiday plant and are easily recognizable by their large red, white, pink, or mottled leaves. These plants also contain a thick, milky irritant sap. In general, it would take ingestion of a large amount of this plant to see possible clinical signs in your pet. Signs could include vomiting, anorexia and depression. The symptoms are generally self-limiting and treatment is rarely needed. Your Vet may recommend limiting food and water intake for 1 or 2 hours if your pet is suspected of becoming sick after ingestion of poinsettias.

Easter Lilies:

Some members of the Lilly family of plants can result in serious illness in cats. Specifically, Easter Lilies, Tiger lilies, Japanese show lilies, Rubrum lilies, many lily hybrids and Day lilies have been known to cause kidney failure.

Mistletoe:

The berries from Mistletoe can be fatal for dogs or cats.

Hyacinth, Narcissus, Daffodil:

The bulbs are the toxic part. Symptoms will include nausea, vomiting and dirrhea. May be fatal.

Larkspur:

Young plants & seeds. Can cause digestive upset, nervous excitement, depression. May be fatal.

Rhubarb:

The leaf blade is the dangerous part here. Can be fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions and coma, followed rapidly by death.

Rhododendrons:

Fatal. produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma.

Yew:

Both the berries and the foliage. Fatal. The foliage is more toxic than the berries. Death is usually sudden without warning symptoms.


Finally, while prevention is the best cure, no matter what we do, sometimes we just can't keep our good dogs from doing bad things. If you suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn't have, call your vet immediately! I have included a link for the pet poison helpline in the event it is after hours.