3 Garden Plants that Could Be Lethal for Your Dog

Most dogs spend a lot of time stuck in the house or on a lead on walks, so when you can give them freedom, you want them to be able to roam free as much as possible. But what many owners are unaware of, is the numerous common plants found in gardens that can be potentially lethal to your dog. What makes many of them even harder to spot is the fact they often pose little or no threat to humans. Here we will outline some of the most popular plants to watch out for, which could save your dog’s life!

Oleander

Nothing beats a gorgeous, colorful bush in your garden. The oleander plant grows into a lovely bush, with fantastic bright pink flowers. It is found in abundance in the southwest, however, this popular plant also has the capability to kill your dog swiftly. If your dog eats any part of this plant, it could kill them. In addition, it can also be life-threatening to the rest of your family too.

Having said that, if you can keep the plant behind a fence and out of reach of your dog and children, then this can be a pleasant, safe addition to your garden. If you’re concerned your dog has ingested any of the plant, seek medical advice from your local vet promptly. Andrew C. Ping in a recent article for Annals of Emergency Medicine, outlined the good news, though: there exists a number of treatment options to combat the toxicity of the oleander.

Jimson Weed

Also known as Datura or Moonflower, this often fantastic looking weed is packed full of poison that could kill your dog. This harmless looking green weed produces a white flower, and if your dog ingests the plant, he’s at risk of the poison quickly taking hold of the body.

If your dog has dilated pupils, rapid or weak breathing, diarrhea and frequent urination, then you should consult your local vet swiftly. Your vet may recommend you induce vomiting to help flush out the poison. Given orally, solutions such as hydrogen peroxide and syrup of ipecac will induce vomiting and hopefully flush out some of the plant, before all the poison seeps into the bloodstream.

Azaleas

Despite sounding like a Greek god, this shrub, which produces stunning flowers in the first half of the year, is extremely dangerous to your dog. While the flowers only last several weeks, the bright red, pink and purple colors often seem attractive to an inquisitive dog. Unfortunately, that curiosity could prove fatal!

Is your dog having convulsions, abdominal pain, or do they have an abnormal heart rate? All are potential symptoms of azalea poisoning and you should seek urgent medical attention from your local vet.

When you do go to the vet, try to keep your dog calm and take a sample of the plant with you, so your vet can be certain of the cause of the poison. As mentioned above, your vet may recommend you try to encourage your dog to vomit before heading to the clinic.

Final points

Everyone wants to be able to let their dog roam free in the garden and on walks. But there are a number of popular, potentially lethal plants you need to be aware of. Oleander, jimson weed and azaleas are all highly poisonous and have the capacity to kill your dog. If you do think your dog has been poisoned, seek medical attention swiftly, keep your dog calm, and follow your vet’s instructions for first aid. Keeping your garden clear of such plants, or fencing them out of reach from your dog, may well save their life.