Are you sure the plants in your landscape and garden are safe for your little furry family members, meaning your beloved pets? Believe it or not, there are some plants that are safe for humans to eat but are toxic to pets. Cats and dogs don’t usually eat plants but to be on the safe side, here are a few common landscape plants to avoid:
- Foxglove digitalis – can cause heart failure
- Lilies – cause GI upset and vomiting in dogs, plus day lilies will cause renal failure in cats
- Spring bulbs – Daffodil foliage, for example, will cause GI upset, but the bulb itself can cause seizures. Most spring-flowering bulbs are toxic if the dog digs them up and chews them.
- Plants in the onion family – toxic to pets when raw or cooked
- Seeds of stone fruits – like peaches, cherries and apricots contain cyanide which can poison pets
- Rhubarb is toxic to pets
- Chamomile is also toxic to pets
Lifescape Associates understands how much your pets mean to your family. If you would like more information on how you can keep your landscape safe for your precious pets, consult your landscape contractor and your veterinarian.