Pets actually need plants, for both their psychological and physical well-being!
We all know, dogs and cats are carnivores therefore, we tend to feed them meat, and sometimes only meat. They do need to eat plant material too. In nature, much of their essential minerals come from plants, often from partly digested plant material which they eat from the digestive systems of their prey. Your pets may compensate for this need by eating plants.
Some plants however are toxic to animals, pets may chew or play with a plant out of curiosity or boredom, and as some plants contain natural chemicals such as alkaloids and glycosides they can be harmful to pets causing vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or death. Some plants, although not toxic, can have other risks from large seeds that can be ingested and cause a blockage or thorns that can cause infections when the skin is penetrated. So always look for the non-toxic and safe alternatives - some of which are listed below.
Non -Toxic Plants for Dogs
Grass - It is generally believed that dogs eat grass as a way of stimulating vomiting to clear the digestive system but it can also be a source of certain nutrients. Dogs do have difficulty digesting cellulose, but the fibre helps clean the digestive system. Small grass plots must be regularly cleaned of dog droppings and care is needed with urine patches to ensure enough fresh grass is available to the dogs. Dogs also eat oat grass. Grass is also cool to lie on a hot day.
Other non-toxic plants for dogs:
· Anise (Pimpinella anisum) - dogs tend to love the scent.
· Fennel, lavender, santolina and chamomile - are widely used for repelling fleas.
· Mints - repel many different types of insects that can harm animals, including fleas.
· Thyme - repels lice.
· Lucerne - dogs have been known to eat dried and fresh lucerne.
· Fruits - dogs will happily eat fruits from a plant such as berries, nuts and grapes.
· Trees - provide shelter, for example - from wind or extreme cold or heat. Trees also provide bark to rub against (to scratch themselves).
Plants That Harm Dogs Many common plants are harmful to dogs including:
· Dense low bushy plants - attract rodents, bandicoots (in bush areas) etc which can carry ticks.
· Wandering Trad (Tradescantia) - is reported to be harmful to dogs. The sap within the plant's leaves and stems contains calcium oxalates and other irritants that can cause a range of unpleasant reactions such as skin irritation, oral irritation or stomach upset.
The more toxic plants that can induce severe symptoms such as seizures, vomiting and death – include:
· Azalea/rhododendron
· Yew
· Autumn crocus
· Oleander
· Sago palm
· Lily of the valley
Others may cause oral irritation, or stomach upsets such as daffodils, tulips and Pothos.
Non – Toxic Plants Loved by Cats Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - cats love them, will become excited and active with the scent and roll amongst the plants. Cats will chew catnip ... it has strong medicinal effects (e.g. very good against diabetes).
· Cucumbers - cats tend to love eating cucumbers.
· Couch Grass - to lie on and chew.
· Mints - repel many different types of insects that can harm animals, including fleas, peppermint repels rodents that may carry ticks.
· Thyme - repels lice.
· Lavender, santolina can chamomile - can control fleas.
Toxic plants – Lilies are extremely dangerous causing kidney failure - sago palms are also extremely toxic particularly the deadly seeds which cause liver failure and oleander which can affect the heart.
Other common dangerous plants that have varying toxic effects causing symptoms such as vomiting and lethargy through to organ failure and death include:
· Aloe Vera
· Asparagus fern
· Cyclamen
· Pothos
· Philodendron
· Tulips
· Hyacinths
· Daffodils and jonquils
· Jade plants
· Snake plants
· Chrysanthemums
Other ways Plants Can Harm Both Dogs and Cats Plants that attract bees can result in your animals receiving stings (clover flowers in an unmown lawn is a particular problem).
Plants that attract birds and small mammals (e.g. Grevilleas and Callistemons) may make cats happy but can result in native animals falling prey to cats.
Plants That Can Control the Movement of Cats and Dogs
· Coleus caninus/canosus - scent tends to repel a relatively large proportion of dogs and cats.
· Dense prickly hedges can be created using to deter movement of animals, using plants such as Lycium ferocissimum, Acacia tortilis, Oncoba spinosa, Chenomeles sp., Carissa sp.
· Larger thorny plants (e.g. Cretagus, Bougainvillea) can work for large animals like cattle but will be unlikely to contain small dogs or cats.
Specific Reactions to Toxins in Plants Plants that may cause a rash if it contacts the animals skin:
· Chrysanthemum
· Ficus benjamina
· Poinsettia
· Oleanders
· Grevillea
· Euphorbia
Plants that contain oxalic acid can cause mouth inflammation or staggering in extreme cases:
· Caladium
· Philodendron
· Arum lily
· Sansevieria
· Pathos
Plants that may occasionally be eaten, thereby causing varied, but sometimes serious affects include:
· all lily related plants (e.g. Asparagus fern, Amaryllis, Daffodil)
· Azalea and Rhododendron
· Strelitzia
· Ivy
· Delphinium
· Periwinkle
· Morning Glory
· Taxus sp.
· Ligustrum sp.
· Corylus sp.
· Foxglove
· Larkspur
· Castor Oil Bean
· Holly
· Mock Orange (Choisya ternata).
Any plant that may have been sprayed with a chemical to control pests or diseases could be considered as harmful to your cat or dog. It is therefore best to select plants that do not need spraying.
Signs of Poisoning
Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, loss of appetite, pawing at mouth, tremors, seizures, difficulty swallowing. Contact your veterinarian if you pet shows any of the above symptoms.