newlogo1.gif SilverHawk Australian Shepherds

is proud to present

SilverHawk Australian Shepherds


 

The following list, compiled over many years, contains a wide variety of plants known to be poisonous to dogs. In some cases the poisonous parts may only be the seeds or leaves or roots. In all cases, use extreme caution and keep your pets away from these plants. If you cannot supervise your pets in your garden, replant with safe non-toxic plants. As with most things there are a lot of other factors that contribute to the toxicity of the plants, age & size of the animal, how much of the plant they ingest, where the plant is in it's "growing" stage.

Puppies, at least most of them, chew just about anything especially when they are teething and therefore are at far greater risk of poisoning. Also some dogs love to chew plants as well as the grasses they will chew for medicinal purposes, you must watch carefully to determine the habits of your particular pet!

Some of the toxic plants listed below will cause nothing more than a rash or itchiness but some will cause much more severe reactions (eg. swelling of the face and throat) just by your dog coming in contact with them. This can quickly become fatal depending on the amount of swelling…a quick trip to your vet is still the best idea if you see any swelling or know that your pet has ingested any of these plants.

Ascertaining the cause of poisoning is always very difficult so make sure that you take along stool &/or vomit samples for your vet and, if possible, the plant or pieces of it that the dog has ingested…try and find the leaves, twigs or berries that have been chewed. This could make a difference between life and death for your furfriend! Dogs usually will not chew on a toxic plant because they are not generally appealing but if you ever do have a dog poisoned by plants remove the plant from your property to prevent a repeat of the problem.

Ask your local veterinarian and/or nursery for more information. For plants with a number (ex. *3) beside them, please see the legend below for the most commonly known toxic effect. If you have anything, plants or otherwise, that you can add to this list, please send me an e-mail.

Plants:

Aconite

Alder Buckthorn

Alfalfa

Almond *4

Alocasia

Aloe - A. Barbadensis

Alsike Clover

Amaryllis *4

American Elder

American Holly

American Mistletoe

American Yew *4

Andromeda

Anemone

Angel's Trumpet

Appleseeds

Apricot *4

Arrowgrass

Arrowhead Vine *3

Asparagus

Asparagus Fern *4

Astragalus

Australian Umbrella Tree

Autumn Crocus

Avocado

Azalea*4

Balsam

Balsam Pear *4

Baneberry

Baptisia

Bayonet

Beargrass

Belladonna

Be-Still-Tree

Bird Of Paradise *4

Bird Rape

Birdsfoot

Bittersweet

Bittersweet Woody *1

Black Cherry

Black Henbane

Black Locust *4

Black Nightshade

Black Oak

Black Walnut

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-Eyed-Susan

Bladder Pod

Bleeding Heart

Bloodroot

Blue Cardinalflower

Blue Cohosh

Blue Flag Iris

Bluebonnet

Blueweed

Bog-Laurel

Boston Ivy *3

Bouncing Bet

Boxwood

Bracken

Bracken Fern

Broad Beans

Broom Snakeweed

Buckeyes (Horse Chestnuts) *4

Buckthorn

Buckwheat

Buffalo Bur

Bulbous Buttercup

Bur Buttercup

Burke's Lupine

Burning Bush

Buttercup *7

Cactus

Caladium *3

Caley Pea

California Bluebell

California Rose-Bay

Calla Lily

Canada Nettle

Canada Yew

Canadian Milk-Vetch

Candelabra Aloe

Candelabra-Cactus

Caper Spurge

Cardinal Flower

Castor Bean *1

Celandine

Celery-Leaved Buttercup

Cherries (Most Forms) *4

Chinaberry *6

Chinese-Lantern

Chives

Chokecherry

Christmas Rose

Chrysanthemum *2

Clematis

Climbing Nightshade

Clover

Cockle Burr

Cockle Corn

Colorado Rubberweed

Comfrey

Coriaria *6

Corn

Corn Cockle

Corn Poppy

Cornflower

Corydalis

Cow Cockle

Cowbane

Cowslip

Creeping Charlie *4

Creeping Fig *2

Crocus

Crotalaria

Croton

Crowfoot

Crown Of Thorns

Crown Vetch

Cyclamen

Cypress Spurge

Daffodil *1

Daphne

Datura (Angel's Trumpets)

Deadly Nightshade

Death Angel Mushrooms

Death Camas

Death Cap Mushrooms

Delphinium *1

Destroying Angels

Devil's Trumpet

Devil's-Backbone

Dicentra (Bleeding Heart)

Dieffenbachia

Dock

Dogbane

Doll's-Eyes

Dologeton

Downy Thornapple

Drooping Leucothoe

Drunk Cane *3

Dumb Cane

Dutchman's Breeches *7

Easter Lily

Eggplant

Elderberry

Elephant Ear *4

Emerald Duke *3

English Bluebell

English Holly *4

English Ivy

English Yew *4

Ergot

Euonymus

European Buckthorn

European Elder

European Spindletree

Evergreen

Everlasting Pea

False Hellbore

False Morels

False Ragweed

February Daphne

Fern

Fiddleneck

Field Horsetail

Five-Hooked Bassia

Flamingo Lily

Flax

Fly Agaric

Fly Honeysuckle

Four O'clock

Foxglove *1

Fritillaria

Garden-Sorrel

Garland Daphne

Garlic

Gas Plant

Giant Dumbcane

Giant Hogweed

Gill-Over-The-Ground

Glocal Ivy *4

Glory Lily

Golden Chain Tree

Golden Fowl

Golden Glow

Golden-Bean

Golden-Chain

Golden-Trumpet

Grass Pea

Greasewood

Great Lobelia

Greater Celandine

Green Tansy Mustard

Ground Cherry *1

Ground Ivy

Groundsel

Guelder-Rose

Hairy Vetch

Halogeton

Heart Ivy *4

Heart-Leaved Philodendron

Hellebo

Hellebore

Hemlock

Hemp Dogbane

Henbane

Holly

Honeysuckle

Hop

Horse Chestnut (Buckeye) *4

Horse Nettle

Horsebeans

Horsebrush

Horseradish

Horsetail

Hound's Tongue

Hyacinth

Hydrangea

Iceland Poppy

Indian Mustard

Indian Poke

Indian Tobacco

Indian Turnip *1

Iris (All Kinds)

Irises

Ivy (All Kinds)

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

Jack-O'lantern Fungus

Japanese Pieris

Japanese Plum *4

Japanese Wisteria

Japanese Yew

Jasmine *7

Java Beans

Jequirity Bean

Jerusalem Cherry

Jessamine

Jimson Weed

Johnson Grass

Jonquil

Jungle Trumpets

Juniper

Kaffir Lily

Kentucky Coffee Tree

Klamath Weed

Kochia

Laburnum

Lamb's Quarters

Lantana

Large-Leaved Lupine

Larkspur *1

Laurel

Leafy Spurge

Leatherwood

Lily (Most Forms)

Lily-Of-The-Valley

Lobelia

Locoweed

Low Larkspur

Lucerne

Lupine *7

Maidenhair Tree

Mandrake (May Apple) *7

Mango

Marble Queen

Marigold

Marijuana *5

Marsh Arrow-Grass

Marsh Horsetail

Marsh Marigold (Cowslip)

Matrimony Vine *7

Mayapple (Mandrake) *7

Menzies Larkspur

Mescal Bean *7

Mexican Poppy

Milkweed

Milo

Mistletoe

Mock Orange *4

Monkey Agaric Mushrooms

Monkey Pod

Monkshood

Monstera

Moon Flower

Moonseed

Moonweed *6

Morning Glory *5

Mother-In-Law Plant

Motherwort

Mountain Fetterbush

Mountain Laurel

Mushrooms *7

Naked-Flowered Sneezeweed

Narcissus

Narrow-Leaved Vetch

Nettle

Nightshade

Northern Water-Hemlock

Nutmeg *5

Nux Vomica

Oak

Oak (Leaves & Acorns)

Oats

Ohio Buckeye

Oleander

Onion

Opium Poppy

Oriental Poppy

Osage-Orange

Oxalis

Panther

Panther Cap Mushrooms

Pathos *3

Pawpaw

Peach *4

Pear

Pencil Tree

Peony

Periwinkle *5

Peruvian Lily

Petty Spurge

Peyote *5

Philodendron *3

Pigweed

Pimpernal

Pin Cherry

Pink Lady's-Slipper

Poinciana

Poinsettia *2

Poison Hemlock *7

Poison Ivy

Poison Oak

Poison Suckleya

Poison Sumac

Poison Vetch

Pokeweed *1

Ponderosa Pine

Pop Mum *2

Poppies

Poppy

Pot Mum *4

Potato

Precatory Bean

Precatory-Pea

Prickly Comfrey

Prickly Lettuce

Prickly Poppy

Primula

Privet *4

Prostrate Pigweed

Purple Cockle

Purple Locoweed

Purple Vetch

Pyracabtha

Radish

Ragwort

Rain Tree

Rapeseed

Rattle Bush

Red Cedar

Red Chokecherry

Red Clover

Red Maple

Red Oak

Red Princess *3

Red Sage

Redroot Pigweed

Reed Canarygrass

Rhododendron

Rhubarb *7

Rosary Pea

Rubber Plant

Russian Knapweed

Saint Johns Wort

Saskatoon (A Serviceberry)

Scarlet Pimpernel

Scotch Broom

Seaside Arrow-Grass

Senecio

Sensitive Fern

Sheep Sorrel

Sheep-Laurel

Showy Lady's-Slipper

Showy Milkweed

Siberian Scilla

Sierra Laurel

Silky Lupine

Silvery Lupine

Singletary Pea

Skunk Cabbage *1

Small Lupine

Smooth Pigweed

Sneezeweed

Snowberry

Snowdrop

Snow-On-The-Mountain

Soapberry

Sorghum

Sour Dock (Sorrel) Spinach

Spatulate-Leaved Heliotrope

Spider Mum *2/4

Spinach

Spindletree Seeds

Spotted Dumbcane

Spotted Water-Hemlock

Sprangeri Fern

Spreading Dogbane

Spurge Laurel

Squirrel Corn

St. John's-Wort

Staggerweed

Star Of Bethlehem

Stinging Nettle

Stinking Rabbitbrush

Stinkweed

Sudan Grass

Sun Spurge

Sunflower

Sweet Clover

Sweetpea

Swiss-Cheese Plant

Tall Larkspur

Tall Manna Grass

Tangier Pea

Tansy

Tansy Ragwort

Tartarian Honeysuckle

Thin-Leaved Snowberry

Thistle Yew

Timber Milk Vetch

Toadstools

Tobacco

Tomato

Tomato Vine *7

Tree Tobacco

Tree Vetch

Tree-Of-Heaven

Trefoil

Trillium

Tulip

Tung Oil

Tung Tree

Two-Grooved Milk-Vetch

Umbrella Plant *4

Veined Dock

Velvety Goldenrod

Vetch

Virginia Creeper

Walnuts

Water Hemlock *6

Weeping Fig *2

West Indian Lantana

Western Bleedingheart

Western Minniebush

Western Poison-Oak

Western Water-Hemlock

Western Yew *4

White Camas

White Clover

White Oak

White Rose-Bay

White Snakeroot

White Sweet-Clover

Wild Cabbage

Wild Call

Wild Calla

Wild False Indigo

Wild Ginger

Wild Indigo

Wild Mustard

Wild Onion

Wild Parsnip

Wild Radish

Wisteria *1

Wolfsbane

Wormseed Mustard

Yellow Iris

Yellow Jasmine

Yellow Lady's-Slipper

Yellow Rocket

Yellow Sage

Yellow Star

Yellow Star-Thistle

Yellow Sweet-Clover

Yellow Toadflax

Yew (Most Forms) *4

 

 

LEGEND:
*1 Can cause diarrhea &/or vomiting
*2 Can cause irritation/rash if in contact with skin
*3 Can cause irritation/swelling in tongue and lips
*4 Can cause abdominal pain/cramps, diarrhea, &/or vomiting. Some of these plants can cause tumors, heart & respiratory &/or kidney problems.
*5 Hallucinogens
*6 Can cause convulsions
*7 Other toxic effects

OTHER COMMON ITEMS THAT ARE VERY TOXIC TO ANIMALS:

Acetaminophen Adhesives Algae toxins
Antifreeze Aspirin Batteries
Battery Acids Bleach Boric acid
Brake fluid Carbon monoxide Carburetor cleaner
Chocolate Cleaning fluid Cosmetics
Deodorants Deodorizers Detergent
Disinfectants Drain Cleaners Dye
Fire extinguisher fluid Fireworks Fungicides
Furniture polish Garden Fertilizer Gasoline
Hair coloring Herbicides Household cleaners
Ibuprofen Insecticides Isopropyl alcohol
Kerosene Laxatives Lead
Lighter fluid Lye Matches
Metal polish Mineral spirits Mothballs
Motor oil Nail polish Nail polish remover
Onions Oven cleaner Paint
Paint remover Permanent-wave lotion Phenol
Photographic developer Rat poison Rubbing alcohol
Shoe polish Sleeping pills Snail or slug bait
Soap Some snakes, insects and toads Suntan lotion
Tar Toilet bowl cleaner Turpentine
Windshield-washer fluid Wood preservatives  
  • Always clean up spills immediately…just one lick of antifreeze can kill your pets
  • Use only "safe" antifreeze that says it's non-toxic for pets and wildlife
  • Read the labels of all products to see whether they're non-toxic or not
  • Keep all medications, cleaners, and chemicals in a closed cupboard with a secure fastener well out of the reach of pets and children. Even matches can be toxic!
  • Do not keep poisonous plants in your garden or house. Remember even hanging plants can fall or be jumped onto by cats
  • And most importantly, if your pet seems to be ill, don't medicate it yourself unless under the direction of your veterinarian. Simple medicines, like aspirin, Advil®, or Tylenol®, can be poisonous to pets
  • If your pets get any unknown substance (or known poisonous substance, like paint) on their fur, quickly clean it off. Don't wait for your pets to lick it off; it could be poisonous.
  • Be aware while you're using chemicals and cleaners. Don't let your pet in the room after spraying insecticides. Don't let your pet in your yard after treating for pests or weeds. Don't let your pet in the garage while you work on the car using or replacing fluids, like grease, antifreeze, brake fluid, etc.
  • Just because your house and yard are poison-proof doesn't mean your neighborhood is, so don't let your pets outside to roam unattended. An open garage door or freshly-sprayed yard can mean danger to your unsuspecting and curious pet.
  • Be sure the label of any product you may use on your pets (like flea and tick products and shampoos) specifies that it is safe for that particular species. Many dog products can harm cats and vice versa.
  • Be very careful about feeding human food to your pets. Chocolate, mushrooms & onions can be toxic. And anything too spoiled or moldy for you to eat is too rotten for your pets.

Signs of Poisoning:

No matter how careful you are, your pets may one day fall victim to poison. If you suspect this, call your veterinarian immediately and report your pet's symptoms. Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away. (In the case of antifreeze poisoning, a dog may act drunk for several hours and then show no symptoms at all for another one to seven hours.)

Meanwhile, keep your pet as warm and dry as possible. If you can figure out the source of the poison, take it or a sample with you to the vet. Also take along the poison's container, if possible, since many labels list the antidote.

Get to your veterinarian as soon as possible!

If you're unsure of the source of the poison, check to see if your pet has been chewing or playing with something questionable like spilled or opened containers of medicine, spoiled food, garbage, etc. An abnormal odor on your pet's breath or body could also signify that your pet has been into something dangerous. Burns or tender areas on the skin or mouth could indicate that your pet has eaten something toxic.

ROUTE OF POISON EXAMPLES SYMPTOMS
Ingested by mouth medicines, chemicals-antifreeze, oil, tar, cleaning fluids, polishes, insecticides, weed killer, fertilizers, paints, solvents stomach and bowel symptoms like cramps, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea; weakness, drooling, slow breathing
Inhaled fumes from cleaning fluid, gasoline, kerosene, lacquer thinner, airplane glue, automobile or heater exhaust smoke, gas leaks, etc. coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath, blueness of the lining of the mouth. Difficulty breathing leading to no breathing at all in serious cases
Absorbed by mouth or skin paint solvents, kerosene, tar, insecticides, strong soaps, acids, and alkalines redness and irritation on the affected area; possible severe irritation of the eyes and mouth
Injected under the skin insect bites, snake bites pain and swelling at the point of contact; general effects on breathing and circulation--the nervous system in general

Malicious Poisoning:

If you suspect the poisoning was malicious and not accidental, contact your local humane society, animal control agency or police department and provide the necessary information for a full report and investigation. If your pet dies, have an autopsy performed by a veterinarian to determine the exact cause of death. Although this procedure is expensive, it is necessary if charges are brought against a suspected malicious poisoner.

Keep your veterinarian's regular and emergency numbers handy!

Written by Jeni Gallichan, Mikatura Australian Shepherds, 06-01-99 and used with permission.