If you have a four-legged partner, you know how enthusiastic a dog can be while chewing the leaves of houseplants. Not just indoor plants, dogs get attracted even by the roadside trees.
Sometimes, it even becomes difficult for a pet parent to resist their pups from eating plant leaves. Still, seasoned pet owners know it is not a big deal.
But, what if we tell you that all plants are not safe for your loving pup? Yes, several herbs are deadly for mongrels. You can go through our article to know about the plants in detail.
What plants are most poisonous to dogs?
Maybe you are a houseplant enthusiast who also has several four-legged members in your abode. You might have turned your backyard into a gorgeous garden with appealing plants.
The stunning plants elevate the look of your whole adobe and make it more beautiful. However, you love to stroll around the patio or take care of your houseplants along with your pet.
Now, as a person with a green thumb, you know how attractive the plants look during the blooming session.
Also, as a pet parent, you have probably experienced ruined herbs because of your dog’s mischief.
As a plant-admirer, we know how heartbreaking it can be for a sincere gardener. Still, chewing plant leaves, flowers is natural for dogs.
But, most of us do not know that eating plants can be deadly for dogs.
Yes, you heard it right. Some herbs are poisonous for pups. If your dog accidentally consumes any part of those shrubs, the consequences can be fatal. Pet parents generally ignore the mischievous activities of their dogs.
But, overlooking such a serious issue can be dangerous.
If your innocent pet unknowingly eats the poisonous herb, it can even lead to the death of your loving animal. So, know about the toxic shrubs in detail, and make sure your dog does not get near the trees.
1. Fiddle leaf fig
For the presence of ficin, furocoumarins, and ficusin, scientists have listed fiddle leaf fig as a toxic plant for dogs. The news can be heartbreaking for any indoor gardener, as the herb is one of the most decorative house plants living. The uniqueness of the plant lies in the foliage section.
If you find the reason behind the popularity, it is the appealing look of the gigantic leaves.
The shiny green leaves with a divine appearance not only attract humans but also allure the dogs. Plus, the fiddle-shaped leaves with slim stems make the houseplant a perfect interior decorative item.
Since the herb does not grow tall, your dog can easily reach the plant leaves.
The poisoning reactions start even shortly after the ingestion.
Your pet can go through a painful experience after consuming the fiddle leaf fig foliage. Most of the time, the dog can experience skin irritation and stomach upset.
Also, in severe cases, it can show symptoms like swelling and even gastronomical disorder. The particles of ficin, furocoumarins, and ficusin are responsible for the toxicity of the aesthetic plant.
But, apart from the fig-shaped beauty, many plants feature these toxic enzymes. Ficin destroys the essential protein cells in the body of a dog.
Plus, ficusin can damage the liver permanently. Protein is vital in a health system to produce, repair, and regenerate tissue.
So, now you can understand how the trio can severely disrupt the health system of the pup. That is why your dog should stay away from the houseplant. Since the innocent animal cannot understand it, the pet parent needs to take care of it.
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2. Philodendron
Shocking but true, even the gorgeous philodendron with massive foliage has entered the list. Philodendron is a decorative house plant that is familiar for its tropical appearance. If you want to keep a tropical vibe in your household throughout the year, philodendron makes a perfect choice.
But, who knows that this tropical beauty can be so dangerous for your loving dogs? Yes, the gorgeous philodendron is toxic for pups due to the presence of insoluble calcium oxalate.
We all know that the plant looks appealing only for its foliage. The heart-shaped leaves in shiny green color can behold anyone.
But, scientists have proven that the stunning leaves of philodendrons are full of needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals.
According to their microscopic observation, botanists have certified the houseplant as one of the most toxic plants for dogs. Because if the dog chews any section of the plant, the calcium oxalate instantly releases crystals.
Now, the crystals disrupt the health system of the pup and cause severe pain to the oropharynx.
The consumption of the plant can even lead to the death of your furry friend. So, if your dog shows any poisoning symptoms after getting into contact with an elegant philodendron, immediately ask for medical help.
Any delay can make the situation out of control. Although the tropical beauty with artistic foliage is tempting in nature, keeping your dog away from the philodendron is the best idea.
3. ZZ plant
The list is indeed heartbreaking for a passionate indoor gardener, as even the pleasing zamioculcas zamiifolia gets certified as toxic for dogs. Probably all indoor plant lovers keep the exquisite plant in their household. Even if any houseplant admirer does not grow the bushy ZZ plant at home, the individual is familiar with the name.
Due to the tiny shape, the herb makes a decorative coffee table plant.
So, it is hard to believe that the ornamental plant can be deadly for innocent pups.
Still, it is true. Similar to the philodendron, the bearing of calcium oxalate in the vascular tubes makes the ZZ plant poisonous for mongrels.
As we have said earlier, the component gets active quickly after ingestion. So, even if your dog bites the elegant foliage of the plant, it can show some poisoning symptoms.
The possible signs your loving pup can experience after consuming the plant are oral irritation, excessive vomiting, drooling, stomach upset, diarrhea, swelling in the mouth and throat.
In severe cases, your dog can even fall unconscious, feel trouble breathing, and frequently gasp for breath.
Since the ZZ plant is so sturdy and easy to care for, the herb makes the appropriate houseplant for a forgetful gardener.
Even if you place the charismatic plant in complete darkness, they do not lose their glamour. But, the plant holds a toxic nature, especially for the pups. There are cases where even a long-time exposure to the ZZ plant has made the dog sick.
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4. Aloe vera
Be it a skincare regime, hair care routine, or even a balanced diet chart- you can notice the presence of aloe vera in any of these.
The highly beneficial plant elevates your drawing room look and also helps you stay fit and look healthy. It is a paradox that the consumption of aloe vera is profoundly advantageous for human beings.
But, if your pet accidentally chews the fleshy leaves of the succulent, they can fall ill. Since the succulent has medicinal properties and features a low-maintenance profile, even indoor gardeners love to keep the houseplant in their home.
But, if you have a dog and want to bring the aloe plant into your house, think twice.
You are probably thinking about how it will help you to keep the succulent in your adobe.
But, it will be even more harmful to your furry partner. Since the plant contains a couple of deadly particles like saponins, anthraquinones, even the ingestion of the plant can kill your dog. Your little one can primarily show some symptoms after chewing the aloe plant.
The signs include unusual lethargy, sleepiness, vomiting, stomach upset, and gastrointestinal problems. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, immediately head to the vet.
Early treatment increases the chance of early recovery. Also, if a pet parent still wants to grow aloe vera indoors, it will be better to keep the succulent in a hanging pot. So, your dog cannot access the herb easily.
5. Bird of paradise
Bird of paradise is one of the most attractively blooming houseplants always in demand, both online and offline.
If you look at the elegant flowers of the plant, you will understand the reason for the hype. The gorgeous florets come in charismatic crimson and excellent blue hues.
Even though the plant is mainly native to Africa, you can grow this beauty anywhere in the world.
Since the herb can grow both indoors and outdoors, the stunning flowers can even elevate the look of your backyard garden. The unique blooms grow in a shape that resembles flying birds.
So, it is hard to believe how the alluring plant can be so poisonous for your dogs. Due to the presence of toxic components like gastrointestinal irritants, even a single bite of the plant can make your dog fall sick.
The material is so deadly that it makes your pup severely ill. If your dog even chews the charming plant, the poisonous material gets active shortly after ingestion.
The possible symptoms your pet can show after consuming the plant are drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The condition can worsen if your furry friend does not get medical help within time.
The only way to recover from the bird of paradise poisoning is to seek veterinary care on time. Otherwise, the poisoning can even lead to the death of your dog.
6. Dumb cane
Although the plant does not have an alluring name, the dumb cane features a divine appearance.
The foliage plant can pause anyone by its charismatic look, and the herb is easy to grow. Dieffenbachia or dumb cane mainly grows indoors. But, if they get an apt atmosphere, the herbs can grow outdoors as well.
You may wonder how a rarely-blooming plant can be so popular.
The reason is their leaves. Dumb cane grows leaves in an off-white shade with a gorgeous green border.
That is why the plant looks excellently well. Still, apart from all the appealing characteristics, the dumb cane is toxic for dogs.
Calcium oxalate makes the plant poisonous for them.
In dumb cane poisoning, your pup can become severely ill. The dog can experience swelling, throat irritation, vomiting, renal failure, and even unconsciousness after consuming any part of the dumb cane.
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End thought
We hope our article has made you aware of the plants that are poisonous to your dog. There is a belief prevailing among the people that the common plants cannot be toxic for animals, which is false.
But, in our article, we have shown several common herbs that are deadly for your mongrel.
You have probably seen the plants indoors, in the neighborhood, or on your way to the park.
Maybe your dog loves to play with the plants during its evening walk. So, next time when you see any toxic plant anywhere, keep your dog away from the possible danger.