| As summer winds down and autumn is just | | | | If your dog chews on any part of this plant, the |
| around the corner, our dogs continue to spend a | | | | result is varying degrees of sickness. This |
| lot of time outdoors. The fresh air and exercise | | | | includes anywhere from an upset stomach to |
| are great for their health. | | | | abnormal heart function and sometimes death. |
| But did you know that there are certain toxic | | | | The plant's sap can irritate the skin and eyes. |
| plants for dogs? Here I mean plants that can be | | | | The leaves are still toxic even after they are |
| devastating to our dogs' health? | | | | dried. |
| Many of us are not even aware that these plants | | | | 4. Sago Palm – These plants are most used in |
| can be harmful. Unfortunately, these are very | | | | areas where the climate is hot and dry. But |
| common plants. They are in park settings. You | | | | they are also used in other parts of the country. |
| can find them growing wild as you go on nature | | | | The whole plant has harmful chemicals. But its |
| walks with your dog in the woods. But you can | | | | seeds are by far the most toxic. Research |
| also find them in your landscaped yards. | | | | shows that as much as 75% of dogs eating |
| Listed below are 5 of these extremely toxic | | | | some of the seeds will die. |
| plants for dogs: | | | | Sago Palm poisoning of dogs and cats has risen |
| 1.Azalea and Rhododendron species – These | | | | by 200% in the last few years. Dogs seem to |
| are very hardy shrubs that produce beautiful | | | | enjoy its seeds more than cats. Ingestion of |
| flowers. These are some of the most popular | | | | any part of the Sago Palm can cause vomiting, |
| ornamental shrubs that are grown. | | | | diarrhea, and seizures. |
| The plant's leaves and nectar can be very toxic | | | | It's extremely important that if your pet is |
| and even lethal in very small amounts. They can | | | | exposed to any of these toxic plants, you should |
| be toxic if eaten or chewed by your dog. | | | | contact your veterinarian. Just like any toxins or |
| This can result in drooling, vomiting, muscle | | | | poisons, the sooner your pet gets treatment the |
| weakness, and collapse. Larger ingested | | | | better. |
| amounts can lead to severe poisoning, potential | | | | 5. Foxtails – Foxtail is a weed that resembles |
| coma, and sometimes death. | | | | the tail of a fox. It is prevalent in late spring |
| 2. Chrysanthemums – These beautiful plants | | | | through early fall. It is most dangerous in the |
| are best known for blooming in the early fall. But | | | | late summer when the seeds are dry. |
| the flowers of these plants actually contain a | | | | When the pods release the seeds, the seeds are |
| natural insecticide. If your dog chews on the | | | | covered with small barb-like fish hooks. This can |
| plant's flowers, this insecticide can cause drooling, | | | | be very dangerous to your dog if he brushes up |
| vomiting, and diarrhea. | | | | against the seeds. They can get caught in his |
| 3. Oleander – This is a beautiful shrub most | | | | hair, pierce the skin, and in some cases, be inhaled. |
| used in the deep southern section of the United | | | | |
| States. But this plant happens to be one of the | | | | If the seeds are imbedded in the skin, they are |
| most poisonous plants in the world. Even | | | | so small that it is difficult to find them. In some |
| extremely small quantities of Oleander can be | | | | cases, they may spread to other parts of the |
| very toxic, many times resulting in a fatal | | | | body, causing severe infections. |
| response. | | | | If your dog comes in contact with foxtails, he |
| With the Azalea and Rhododendron, only part of | | | | should be taken to the veterinarian immediately. |
| the plant is toxic. But every part of the | | | | All 5 of these toxic plants for dogs should be |
| Oleander is toxic. This includes the flowers down | | | | taken very seriously. |
| to the roots. | | | | |