I am a gardening expert and these harmful plant species can poison your pet. Do you have one in your garden?
With spring in full swing and homeowners preparing to bring some life into their gardens, it’s important to consider what plants and flowers you grow if you own cats, dogs, rabbits or guinea pigs.
While a beautiful garden is beautiful to look at, that of a pet The freedom to safely roam, rest and play can be compromised when a particular species is in flower.
Some plant species can be dangerous to pets and can cause them to become seriously ill severe cases, kidney failure and even death can occur if pets consume or come into contact with it.
Before making any new purchases, it’s worth doing some research on the plants you want to grow – and even then, it’s important to still keep an eye on your pets.
Experts at Gardener’s World have highlighted some of the most common flora and fauna that can cause a range of harmful symptoms in your four-legged friends.
Discover the plants that can be dangerous for pets in the FEMAIL guide below:
While a beautiful garden is beautiful to look at, a pet’s freedom to safely roam, rest and play can be compromised when a particular species is in bloom.
Monkshood
Monkshood (or aconitum napellus) is a beautiful species that grows in violet-blue shades, but all parts of raw monkshood plants are extremely poisonous to animals.
Symptoms of poisoning include: nausea, vomiting, seizures, skin irritation and increased heart rate. Can also be fatal.
The plant is dangerous for cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) is a beautiful species that grows in violet-blue shades, but all parts of raw monkshood plants are extremely poisonous
Lily of the valley
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a woodland flowering plant with sweetly scented, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom in spring – with all parts having moderate to severe toxicity.
Symptoms of poisoning include: stomach upset, nausea and vomiting.
They pose a particular risk to dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a woodland flowering plant with sweetly scented, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom in spring – with all parts having moderate to severe toxicity
Lilies
Lilies are often distinguished by their large, clustered, prominent flowers and leaf stalks, but all parts of the plant are moderately to severely poisonous, especially to cats.
Symptoms of poisoning include: drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, breathing problems and kidney damage.
Although they pose a greater risk to cats, lilies can also be harmful to dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits.
Lilies are often distinguished by their large, clustered, prominent flowers and leaf stalks, but all parts of the plant are moderately to severely poisonous, especially to cats.
Ivy
Hedera, commonly called ivy, is an evergreen, climbing or ground-creeping woody plant, meaning its foliage can be particularly poisonous to pets at any time of year.
Symptoms of poisoning include: Severe stomach upset, which can be fatal in more severe cases.
The plant is dangerous for dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Hedera, commonly called ivy, is an evergreen, climbing or ground-creeping woody plant, meaning its foliage can be particularly poisonous to pets at any time of year.
Foxglove
Digitalis – or foxglove – can grow up to two meters tall and produces a spike of purple-pink flowers between June and September – and all parts are poisonous to pets.
Symptoms of poisoning include: nausea, vomiting, heart problems, kidney damage and can be fatal.
Dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits avoid contact with these plants.
Digitalis – or foxglove – can grow up to two meters tall and produces a spike of purple-pink flowers between June and September – and all parts are poisonous to pets
Daphne
Daphne odora is a genus of evergreen shrubs with pale pink, usually fragrant four-lobed flowers, often followed by colorful berries.
Although all parts can be poisonous to pets, the berries are particularly poisonous to cats and dogs.
Symptoms of poisoning include: stomach upset, kidney damage and dermatitis.
Daphne odora is a genus of evergreen shrubs with pale pink, usually fragrant four-lobed flowers, often followed by colorful but poisonous berries
Castor oil plant
Castor oil (ricinus communis) plant, is an upright, branching shrub that grows 1.5 meters tall when grown annually, with five to twelve-lobed glossy, green, red or bronze leaves.
According to Horticulture in Wisconsininto the poison castor seed one of the deadliest natural poisons – estimated to be 6,000 times more toxic than cyanide.
Symptoms of poisoning include: burning of the mouth, kidney failure, diarrhea, convulsions and can be fatal.
The plant poses a danger to dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits.
Castor oil (Ricinus communis) plant, is an upright, branching shrub with five to twelve-lobed glossy, green, red or bronze leaves – but is one of nature’s deadliest poisons
Blue rain
Wisteria are beautiful purple-hued plants that are extremely vigorous climbers and can be long-lived.
The seeds and pods of Wisteria are parts that can be particularly poisonous to dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits.
Symptoms of poisoning include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration and fainting.
Wisteria are beautiful purple-hued plants that are extremely vigorous climbers and can be long-lived, but seeds and pods can be poisonous to pets
Bulbs
All parts of plants grown from flower bulbs can be poisonous if ingested by pets, including: daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, iris, bluebells, crocus, amaryllis, gladiola, alliums and lilies.
Symptoms of poisoning include: respiratory disease and kidney failure – and some can be fatal.
Bulbs should be avoided at all costs by dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits.
All parts of plants grown from bulbs can be poisonous if ingested by pets, including: daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, iris, bluebells, crocus, amaryllis, gladiola, alliums and lilies
If you have any doubts about something in your garden and how your pet will react to it, or if you suspect that your pet is suffering from the above symptoms, do not hesitate to contact your vet.
Meanwhile, these are the popular houseplants that are deadly to pets that you can identify and remove from your home.
Five of the most popular houseplants, including the peace lily and the fiddleleaf fig, are highly toxic to cats and dogs.
The experts at The Good Plant Co revealed to Daily Mail Australia the five deadliest popular houseplants and what pet lovers could buy instead.