Written by Mara Brown, Master Dog Behaviorist
Spring has sprung. Flowers are in bloom and our desert is alive with color. Sadly, some of these beautiful flowering plants can be harmful to your pup. And many of the most poisonous plants for dogs are commonly found in our homes and gardens.
Here is a list of the top 4 common poisonous flowering plants for dogs:
- Tulips: Tulips are beautiful, colorful flowers that many people have in their homes and gardens. Chewing on the leaves could lead to an upset stomach. If your dog digs up and eats newly planted bulbs, that can lead to stomach problems, depression, and loss of appetite.
- Lilies of the Valley: Lilies of the valley have a beautiful scent and are very pretty. However, even a small ingestion of this plant in dogs can cause vomiting, low blood pressure, disorientation, seizures, heart problems, and even coma.
- Azaleas: Azaleas are very popular garden flowers. All parts of these plants are harmful for your dog. Most commonly, dogs can get an upset stomach from ingestion of these plants, but if they eat a lot of them, they can get very weak, have tremors, low blood pressure, and heart problems.
- Oleander: Oleander is a common landscaping plant here in the desert, that flowers in pink, white, red and yellow. Every part of this plant is poisonous to dogs. Symptoms of exposure to this plant in dogs are diarrhea, stomach problems, drooling, heart problems and even possible death.
Enjoy Spring and its many beautiful blossoming colors, but be aware of the surrounding dangers. Knowledge can save you heartache. Tip toe through the tulips, but don’t let your dog eat them!
Sparkle and I wish you and your dogs a very happy and healthy spring! With Love, Mara Brown
For more advice, training or life coaching, reach out at 310-467-2334 and visit www.LifeCoachingForDogs.com
