Keep your pets away from these toxic plants

1. Aloe vera

What’s a garden without this intrinsic human burn healer? As great as it may be for your wounds, it’s extremely toxic to both cats and dogs. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia and especially look out for a change in urine colour if ingested.

Aloe vera

2. Amaryllis

We all know the saying curiosity killed the cat, and yes its true. Kitties are curious by nature, and their knack for knowledge may lead to them finding your plants interesting. The unfortunate part is that felines tend to “feed” their curiousity by taste.

Your furry can be poisoned by nibbling on the flowers, stems or leaves of the plant but especially the bulbs which all contain a toxic ingredient called lycorine which may cause abdominal pain, tremors, excessive drooling and a loss of appetite.

3. Azaleas

A popular garden staple closely related to the Rhododendron family. Not only is this flowering shrub dangerous to domestic pets, but it is toxic to some farm animals too like horses, goats and sheep.

Ingestion of just a few leaves can cause problems like upsetting the digestive system, frequent bowel movements, colic, depression, weakness, leg paralysis, weak heart rate and temporary blindness.

Begonia “Non Stop” can be used indoors as well as outdoors as floral decoration.

4. Carnations

They present a danger to cats even when your feline comes into skin contact with the flower as it may cause dermatitis, an inflamed skin rash. However if ingested, look out for mild gastrointestinal signs.

5. Daffodils

These vivid flowering bulbs’ are a beautiful vision indeed, but their toxicity leaves their beauty questionable. Just like Amaryllis, Daffodils contain lycorin. If the bulbs are eaten, symptoms may include shivering, a decrease in blood pressure and seizures.

Fairy primulas and narcissus both like semi-shade. Picture: Supplied.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these dangerous plants, immediately contact your vet, as timely and accurate identification of the ingested substance is vital.

Deadly plants to keep out of reach of your pet:

1. Baby’s breath
2. Begonia
3. Castor bean
4. Chrysanthemum
5. Cyclamen
6. Gladiola
7. Hosta
8. Ivy including the following: California, Branching, Glacier, Needlepoint, Sweetheart and English.
9. Lillies
10. Milkweed
11. Morning glory
12. Oleander
13. Poinsettia
14. Pothos
15. Sago palm
16. Tomato plant
17. Tulip/Narcissus

//

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.