Protect your furry friends from these toxic flowers
Pick your poison
Story by Kennedy Gott
Dogs love to use their noses to sniff and admire the world around them. However, when they decide to stop and smell the flowers, it could be harmful to their health. As flowers begin to bloom, sprouting from the ground and spreading their petals, it is important to know which of these beautiful blossoms your pet should avoid.
To ensure your dog’s safety this season, try to practice their “leave it” command more often, and don’t forget to reward them with treats. Try to keep harmful flowers out of their reach in your garden or inside your home so that you can feel at ease. If your dog does come in contact with or ingest one of these toxic flowers, you should contact your trusted vet immediately or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
Thankfully there are still plenty of lovely flowers that are safe, even if your dog has a little nibble. These flowers are considered dog-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about having these in your garden or home: roses, snapdragons, orchids, petunias, sunflowers, violets and honeysuckles.
Chrysanthemums
Also known as: Mums, chrysanths
Toxicity level: Mild
Toxin: Pyrethrin
Symptoms: Vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea
Poinsettia
Also known as: Lobster flower, flower of Christmas Eve
Toxicity level: Mild
Toxin: Diterpenoid euphorbol esters and saponin-like detergents
Symptoms: Drooling, licking lips, vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation (including redness, swelling, and itchiness), eye irritation.
Oleanders
Toxicity level: Severe
Toxin: Cardiac glycosides
Symptoms: Cardiac arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure, death
Calla Lily
Other common names: Trumpet lily, pig lily, arum lily
Toxicity level: Mild-moderate
Toxin: Oxalates
Symptoms: Drooling, oral pain, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, decreased appetite
Baby’s Breath
Also known as: Maiden’s Breath
Toxicity level: Mild
Toxin: Gyposenin
Symptoms: Vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, lethargy
Peonies
Toxicity level: Mild
Toxin: Paeonol
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea
Hydrangeas
Toxicity level: Mild
Toxin: Cyanogenic glycoside
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
Daffodils
Toxicity level: Mild-moderate
Toxin: Lycorine
Symptoms: Drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, abdominal pain, abnormal breathing, cardiac arrhythmias
Tulips
Toxicity level: Mild-moderate
Toxin: Allergenic lactones or similar alkaloids
Symptoms: Drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, difficulty breathing
Buttercups
Also known as: Crowfoot, butter cress, figwort
Toxicity level: Moderate
Toxin: Protoanemonin
Symptoms: Oral or facial blisters, facial swelling, excessive salivation/drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite
Azalea
Toxicity level: Moderate-severe
Toxin: Grayanotoxins
Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate, heart arrhythmias, weakness, hypotension, depression, tremors, transient blindness, seizures, coma
