According to USA Today, hundreds of plants are considered toxic to cats and dogs, causing severe vomiting, diarrhea or death without proper veterinary treatment.
In recent years, lilies ranked as one of the toxins leading to the most cases of cat poisonings, according to Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control center. Azaleas, sago palms and oleanders ranked high for dog poisonings. Mildly toxic plants include pothos, known as devil's ivy, and tulips.
Even if a plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs, like grass and ferns, an animal may still face gastrointestinal trouble and vomit after eating it.
It's especially important to keep puppies and kittens away from toxic plants. They are young, curious, and exploring the world by taste.
Prevention is key, so safe plant management is a lot like baby proofing your home.
Even with preparation, unexpected accidents happen, Dorman said, so it's important to be ready for an emergency involving a toxic plant.
The only way to fully ensure your cats and dogs are safe from toxic plants inside your home is to avoid toxic plants in the first place.
If you have a dog, keeping plants on counters and shelves that your pet can't reach is recommended. Cats, however, can jump more than 6 feet in the air − meaning most household surfaces are in their reach,
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a comprehensive and searchable list of hundreds of plants that are toxic to cats, dogs and other pets. According to the Pet Poison Helpline:
- Easter lilies
- Lily of the valley
- Rhododendron
- Hydrangea
- Daffodils
- Aloe
Baskets full of Easter candy and freshly planted gardens make spring delightful − but they also make one of the most dangerous times for cats and dogs. Veterinarians often see a spike in chocolate poisoning among dogs each year around Easter, as well as every October around Halloween.
If you want to avoid injury to your pets from toxic fertilizers and insecticides, skip those with organophosphates, a toxic group of chemicals that can kill large dogs in even small doses, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual.
If you suspect your pet has eaten a toxic plant, call your local veterinarian, even if the animal is not showing signs of a medical problem.
Cats and dogs may show the following signs if they ate a toxic plant, according to Pet Poison Helpline:
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Impaired balance or coordination
- Diarrhea
- Being agitated or irritable
- Drooling
Pet owners can prepare for possible emergencies by posting an emergency veterinarian's phone number on their refrigerator, as well as numbers of animal poison control hotlines: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center can be reached at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.