Toxic Spring Beauties To Watch Out For

Spring has sprung! The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming…and lots of those flowers are toxic for your pet! Even though they’re supposed to be carnivores, it always seems like dogs and cats love to take a chomp out of any new plants they come across. There are many plants that can prove harmful and even deadly if your pet decides to take a bite. Whether you’re out playing in the garden or getting a spring-time floral arrangement, you should stay aware of what plants are potentially dangerous to your furry friend. Here is a list of flowers you should keep out of your home and yard this spring. 

Lilies 

These are the most dangerous flowers for pets, especially cats. They are also the most confusing, since so many different flowers are called lilies, but they aren’t all the same! 

The most concerning types are “Easter lilies”, also known as “Asiatic lilies” and many other common names. These are any flowers in the genus Lilium, or True Lilies. You’ll see these in flower arrangements, especially–as the name implies–around Easter. Daylilies (genus Hemerocallis) are similarly toxic, and though you are less likely to find them as cut flowers, they are commonly planted in gardens. These flowers are incredibly toxic to cats–even grooming pollen off their fur or drinking water from the vase of these lilies can cause severe kidney damage. Ingesting any part of the plant can be deadly for both dogs and cats. Never bring True Lilies into a house with a cat, even if you can keep them out of your pet’s reach, since they produce a lot of pollen that can get into the air and make your cat sick. 

Other flowers called lilies are less dangerous, but can still be toxic if the flowers or leaves are ingested. Peruvian Lilies (Alstromeria), Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllium), Lily of the Valley (Convallaria) are all toxic to pets, including the flowers, leaves and bulbs. 

One type of lily that is safe for pets is Calla Lily! Consider this as an alternative to the dangerous plants listed above. 

Daffodils 

All parts of these sunshiney spring blooms are toxic to pets, but the bulbs are particularly dangerous since they contain the most concentrated amount of lycorine–a chemical that causes nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These flowers are naturalized in most of the eastern United States, too. This means they can be found growing in the wild and might appear in your yard, even if you didn’t plant them. If your pup likes to dig, make sure they don’t get access to daffodil bulbs, even in the dormant season. These plants are pretty easy to spot growing in the wild–they look sort of like a patch of green onion stalks! 

Tulips 

Tulips are another beloved spring flower that contain chemicals that are dangerous for pets. A substance called Tulipalin is present in all parts of the plant, but is especially concentrated in the bulbs. Smaller amounts will cause GI distress, but in large concentrations–for example, if your dog digs up and chews on the roots and bulb of the plant–it can give them an irregular heart rate or cause difficulty breathing. 

Hyacinth 

Hyacinth is a lovely plant that grows large clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers at the end of one tall stem. They are often used in gardens and even as house plants, but they have to be handled with caution! Every part of the plant is toxic if ingested, but even handling the bulbs can be dangerous to both pets and humans! These plants contain and are covered in calcium oxalate crystals. These needle-shaped crystals can shed off the roots of the plant, getting imbedded in the skin or forming a dust that can do a lot of damage when inhaled. If your dog chews on the stem, leaves, or flowers, they may experience GI distress, difficulty breathing, and seizures. If they chew on or just sniff too closely on the bulbs, it may cause lung damage or trigger asthma. 

Rhododendron 

Commonly known as azaleas, there are many species in this genus that are native to the eastern United States. They are also beloved as low-maintenance landscaping plants, and can be found abundantly in residential areas. They contain grayanotoxin, a neurotoxin that can cause muscle weakness, seizures, abnormal heart rate, and even temporary blindness when ingested. They bloom heavily in spring, and will drop their large, colourful flowers throughout the season. 

Buttercups

Many species of the genus ranunculus, known commonly as buttercups, are native to North Carolina. Most are small, scrubby looking plants that put out yellow flowers with five or six petals. You’ll see them in pastures, on the sides of highways, and just about anywhere with a patch of dirt and lots of sun. You may also hear the name Ranunculus in flower shops, referring to the most commonly cultivated species, Ranunculus asiaticus. All plants in this genus are toxic to pets due to containing protoanemonin, a moderate irritant. Chewing on the plant releases a bitter taste and can cause burning or ulcerations in the mouth, which usually dissuades pets from eating enough to cause serious damage. However, the facial swelling associated with this toxin could be dangerous for some pets, such as brachycephalic dogs, or those with asthma or allergies. 

The plant kingdom fights back hard to protect itself from curious chompers, chewers, and diggers. Brush up on common landscaping plants and florist shop staples that might prove dangerous to your pets! If your pet is the type to try one of these forbidden snacks, consider using safe, non-toxic alternatives in your gardens, houseplants, and vases.