Some household blooms are dangerous for pets, local vet warns

With Valentines’ Day just a few days away and spring just around the corner, a local veterinarian shares that some very common flowers can be hazardous to your pets.

Dr. Adrian Walton from Dewdney Animal Hospital says that certain flowering plants can pose a greater danger to cats than they do to dogs.

“Plants produce these chemicals to stop things from eating them, so herbivores and omnivores such as yourself and dogs have livers that are designed to break down a lot of these toxins. Cats on the other hand don’t,” Walton said. “They actually handle a lot of types of these injuries a lot worse.”

Walton says daffodils and tulip bulbs are some blooms commonly found this season that may cause harm to pets.

“Daffodils can actually burn the inside of their mouths, and tulip bulbs are toxic when ingested. Dogs will think they’re a ball and chew on them like an onion; it can cause some pretty significant issues.”

Walton notes that while the plants like daffodils and tulips cause burns and irritations, the level of danger posed by Christmas lilies and other kinds of lilies is deadly. He says anyone who has pets should not have these plants in their home as they will cause a pet’s kidney to fail.

“Oftentimes, when you realize your cat is sick, it’s too late and the kidney is so damaged; you’ll never be able to recover them,” Walton explained.

As for roses, Walton shares his own anecdote.

“Dogs do not realize when something drops on the floor, it’s not food,” Walton says the rose’s thorns can cause injuries to dogs.

Walton also shares a couple more common plants such as the giant hogweed often found in gardens that are harmful to our furry friends. According to Walton, its sap can cause severe burns when exposed to UV light. Plants like pothos can also cause injuries to pets.

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However, the most common case that veterinarians deal with, Walton says, is pot.

“Whether it’s already packaged or on a plant, they love the stuff and unlike us, they tend to have a much more serious reaction. You will have to see a veterinarian because they can be quite depressed and ill for several hours and require some fairly aggressive treatment,” Walton said.

Walton also warns that the second most common dangerous case is when animals ingest mushrooms.

“Every fall and spring, we get quite a few dogs that come in with mushroom toxicity. Some of these mushrooms are 100-per cent deadly and there are several on Vancouver Island that will kill your dog. So be very cognizant of that,” Walton warned.

Walton wants to remind people that if they don’t recognize the plant their pet is eating, it’s best to contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control line.

“I think the first thing you should be doing with any plant that comes in your house is to make sure your animals stay away from them. Put them up high, or in the case of cats, in a locked room. Keep them out of reach and out of sight because often, they will find a way to get hold of them–that’s what they do.”

Walton says that in his practice, most cases of plant toxicity occurs during spring and around Christmas time.