Burns Pet Nutrition veterinary and nutrition consultant Emily Boardman had a stern statement for pet owners.
“Pet owners should be very careful about houseplants in their homes and be aware of those that are known to be toxic to their four-legged friends,” she said.
“In general, cats lick plants, while some dogs in the wild will eat anything, which unfortunately can lead to fatal consequences.”
Any dog or cat that appears to be unwell, especially if it has been around a poisonous plant, should be seen by a veterinarian.
Here are five “poisonous” plants that vet Emily Boardman thinks all pet owners should know about.
Velvet Leaf Philodendron
These beautiful heart-shaped hanging plants (scientifically called Philodendron Micans) “can cause very severe and rapid reactions in pets, especially dogs, where eating them can be fatal.”
Veterinarian Emily said: “If a dog ingests a large amount of these leaves, they can experience severe respiratory and digestive problems that can even end their life.
“In addition to killing your dog, these plants can also cause convulsions, kidney failure and coma.”
(Photo: Getty)
Snake plant
These popular plants “contain toxic substances known as saponiins,” said veterinarian Emily.
“These saponins can cause inflammation, irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other adverse effects when they come into contact with your pet’s gastrointestinal tract,” he explained.
(Photo: Getty)
ZZ factory
Poisonous to pets and humans, the ZZ plant must be “handled with care.”
Veterinarian Emily elaborated: “The plants can cause diarrhoea, vomiting and severe oral irritation in dogs and cats.
“The calcium oxalate and saponin in the plants also means they are toxic to humans and should be handled with gloves. They can cause skin irritation and pain if ingested.”
(Photo: Getty)
