ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Offers Answers About Plants and Lawn Care Products

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Wednesday, 1 May 2002

Frequently Asked Questions Covers Items That Are Toxic To Dogs And Cats

1. What plants are toxic to pets?

Cardiotoxic plants: (effect the heart):
Convallaria majalis - Lily of the Valley
Nerium oleander - Oleander
Rhododendron species - Rhododendron, Azalea and Rosebay
Taxus species - American, Japanese, English and Western Yew
Digitalis purpurea - Foxglove
Kalanchoe spp. - Kalanchoe

Plants that could cause kidney failure:
Certain species of lilies (in cats only)
Rhubarb (Rheum species) - leaves only

Plants that could cause liver failure:
Cycads (Cycad species)
Mushroom (Amanita phalloides)

Plants that could cause multiple effects:

Autumn Crocus (Colchicum species) (Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, renal, liver damage and bone marrow suppression)
Castor Bean (Ricinus species) (Can cause renal failure, convulsions and death)

Mushrooms

ALWAYS assume that any ingested mushroom is highly toxic until a mycologist identifies that mushroom. Toxic and non-toxic mushrooms can grow in the same area.

2. What should pet owners do if they suspect their animal has ingested a poisonous plant? What symptoms should they look for?

If a pet owner suspects that their animal ingested a poisonous plant, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. It's advised to bring in part of the plant to a nursery for identification if the exact species is not known. Symptoms of poisonings can include almost any clinical sign. The animal may even appear completely normal for several hours or days.

3. Is there a way for pet owners to train or teach their pets not to eat poisonous plants?

There may be ways that a pet owner could train their pets to avoid certain areas of their home or yard where there are poisonous plants. However, the safest method would be to prevent exposure by removing the plants from the pet's home and yard.

4.What about pesticides and fertilizers that might be in the garage or tool shed?

Make sure your pets do not go on lawns or in gardens treated with fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides until the time listed on the label by the manufacturer. If you are uncertain about the usage of any product, contact the manufacturer for clarification before using it. Always store pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides in areas that are inaccessible to your pets.

The most serious problems resulting from fertilizer ingestion in pets is usually due to the presence of heavy metals such as iron. Ingestion of large amounts of fertilizer could cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.

The most dangerous forms of pesticides include: snail bait containing metaldehyde, fly bait containing methomyl, systemic insecticides containing disyston or disulfaton, zinc phosphide containing mole or gopher bait and most forms of rat poisons. When using pesticides place the products in areas that are totally inaccessible to your companion animals. Always store pesticides in secured areas.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org