Springing to action: Shielding pets from plant toxins

Spring is officially here, and while pets are as eager as their owners to experience the great outdoors, the season of new life means the return of several plant-related toxins that can leave your pet regretting their promenade through the garden. 

Dr. Lance Wheeler, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, educates owners on the importance of safeguarding pets against outdoor poisons during the spring season. 

Season’s toxic greetings

With spring’s warmer weather, pets spend more time outside and out of their owners’ direct sight. 

“During this time, many new plants begin to grow and people often use fertilizers, pesticides and garden products in their yards,” Wheeler said. “These things can pose a risk to pets if ingested or if they come into contact with the skin. Pets may chew on plants, drink from ponds or explore areas where chemicals — such as rodent poison — were recently used, which increases the risk of poisoning.”

Dogs and cats are often more susceptible to chemical-related afflictions than people because they walk directly on treated surfaces and then groom themselves, which can lead to ingestion of these substances.

“If you apply products to your lawn, always review the product label carefully to determine whether they are toxic to pets,” Wheeler said. “Some products may only be harmful under certain conditions, so it is important to follow all label instructions closely.

“Even if a product is not explicitly labeled as toxic to pets, it is still a good idea to do additional research or contact a resource such as the Animal Poison Control Center to confirm safety,” Wheeler said. “If you use a lawn care service, be sure to inform them that you have pets and request that they avoid using products that could be harmful.”

When there is any uncertainty, a safe approach is to keep pets off treated areas until after the lawn has been thoroughly watered and allowed to fully dry, according to Wheeler.

In addition, as many as 25% of pet owners who maintain gardens may have toxic plants that they do not know are toxic unless they have already done the research, according to Wheeler.

Among the non-garden variety toxic plants that owners should keep an eye out for are:

• Sago palms
• Rose laurel
• Blue-green algae in ponds or standing water
• Plants such as lilies (which are especially dangerous for cats)
• Certain mushrooms

“While not all mushrooms are toxic, it is very difficult to reliably distinguish toxic from non-toxic species,” Wheeler said. “For this reason, it is safest to prevent exposure to any type of mushroom.”

For further questions regarding potentially toxic material and plants, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is available for consultation at 888-426-4435.

Impact of consumption

Some plants contain chemicals that can damage important organs, greatly hindering a pet’s health and well-being.

“When a pet chews or eats these plants, the toxin can quickly enter the body and cause serious illness,” Wheeler said. “For example, some plants cause severe liver damage, while others can affect the nervous system or heart. The severity depends on the type of plant and how much was eaten.”

Signs of poisoning can vary depending on the toxin, but common symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness or lethargy
• Tremors or seizures
• Trouble walking or unusual behavior
• Difficulty breathing
• Increased drooling

“In some cases, pets may appear normal at first, but the toxin may still be causing damage inside the body,” Wheeler said. “As that damage progresses, symptoms may not appear until hours or even days later.”

It is also important to note that cats and dogs can react differently to toxins. Because pets process toxins differently, something that is safe for dogs can still be very dangerous for cats. 

“Cats are especially sensitive to lilies, which can cause severe kidney damage,” Wheeler said. “Dogs are more likely to ingest outdoor chemicals because they explore and eat many things they find. Cats may also be more sensitive to certain medications or topical products.”

With this in mind, owners must remain aware of the types of plants that their pets may be exposed to in their homes, yards or along their walking paths. 

“I would encourage any pet owner to use phone applications to identify all plants in their immediate environment and determine whether or not they are toxic to their owned species,” Wheeler said.

Seeking help

If you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, it is vital to act immediately.

“Remove your pet from the source of the toxin,” Wheeler said. “Call your veterinarian, an emergency veterinary hospital or a pet poison helpline immediately. Do not try to treat your pet at home unless a veterinarian instructs you to do so. If possible, bring the product label, plant sample or packaging to the veterinarian.”

The earlier an animal receives treatment, the greater chance of recovery. 

“The type of treatment depends on the toxin and the pet’s symptoms,” Wheeler said. “Veterinarians may induce vomiting; give activated charcoal to prevent further absorption; provide intravenous (IV) fluids for support; treat symptoms such as seizures, tremors or abnormal heart rhythms; or use specific antidotes when available.”

Above all, the priority is to stabilize the patient and help the body remove or neutralize the toxin.

Preventing an emergency

The greatest help an owner can provide is ensuring their pet’s environment — whether at home or away — is safe, and the best way to do that is by developing a plan of action in case an emergency arises.

Pet owners can lower the risk of poisoning by:

• Learning which plants in their home and yard are toxic to pets
• Keeping medications, chemicals and cleaning products out of reach
• Avoiding letting pets drink from ponds or standing water
• Keeping pets away from compost piles and mushrooms
• Using pet-safe lawn and garden products when possible
• Supervising pets when they are outside

Spring is bountiful with beautiful greenery and a growing excitement for gathering in backyards, dog parks or on trails. While enjoying the fresh beginnings, owners should also become familiar with plant toxins so their furry friends can play safely this spring.

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Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to [email protected].