A curious dog digging in the garden or a cat brushing against a flower arrangement might seem harmless. Some common plants pose a serious risk to pets.
Plant poisoning ranges from mild mouth irritation and digestive upset to kidney damage, liver failure, heart problems, seizures or death. The outcome depends on the plant, the part eaten, the quantity and the animal involved.
Quick veterinary advice matters. Do not wait for symptoms if you suspect your pet ate a toxic plant.
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A plant that causes mild stomach irritation in one animal might cause severe organ damage in another. Cats and dogs also react differently to certain plants.
True lilies from the Lilium and Hemerocallis groups pose an extreme risk to cats. Exposure to the petals, leaves, stems, pollen or water from a vase might lead to acute kidney damage.
Oleander affects the heart and digestive system. Cycads, often called sago palms or broodboom, contain toxins linked to severe liver damage. Their seeds contain a high concentration of toxins.
Azaleas and rhododendrons affect the digestive, nervous and cardiovascular systems. The severity depends on the amount eaten and the size of the animal.
The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that toxicity differs between plant species and animal species. This makes professional veterinary assessment important.
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Prevent further exposure. Move your pet to a safe area and keep other animals away from the plant.
Look inside your petβs mouth if your pet allows safe handling. Remove loose plant material that is easy to reach. Do not force your hand into the mouth of a distressed, choking or aggressive animal.
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Take clear photographs of:
- The entire plant
- The leaves
- The flowers
- The fruit or seeds
- The pot, label or packaging
Safely collect a small sample if possible. Place it in a sealed bag or container and keep it away from your pet.
Do not delay veterinary care while trying to identify the plant. A photograph or sample will help the veterinary team investigate the exposure.
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Before contacting your veterinarian, note:
- Your petβs species and approximate weight
- The name of the plant, if known
- Which part of the plant was eaten
- The estimated amount
- The time of exposure
- Any symptoms already present
- Existing medical conditions
- Medication your pet currently receives
Tell the veterinarian if the plant was recently treated with pesticide, fertiliser or another garden product.
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Contact Fynbos Animal Hospital as soon as you suspect exposure to a toxic plant.
Do not wait for vomiting, weakness or other symptoms. Some toxins start damaging internal organs before visible signs appear.
The veterinary team will assess the plant involved, the likely dose, your petβs size and the time since exposure. They will then advise you on the next step.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also advises pet owners to contact a veterinarian promptly after possible ingestion of a poisonous substance.
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Never try to make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian gives you direct instructions.
Vomiting is unsuitable for certain toxins and medical conditions. It also creates a risk of choking or breathing stomach contents into the lungs.
Do not give your pet:
- Salt
- Milk
- Cooking oil
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Activated charcoal
- Human medication
- Herbal mixtures
- Food intended to absorb the toxin
Home remedies waste valuable time and sometimes make the situation worse. The Pet Poison Helpline advises owners not to induce vomiting or give home antidotes without professional guidance.
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Symptoms vary according to the plant and the amount eaten.
Watch for:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Excessive drooling
- Pawing at the mouth
- Swelling around the mouth or tongue
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual thirst
- Frequent or reduced urination
- Weakness
- Difficulty walking
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Difficulty breathing
- A slow, fast or irregular heartbeat
- Yellow gums, skin or eyes
Treat difficulty breathing, collapse, seizures, severe weakness or loss of consciousness as an emergency.
A pet might still appear normal shortly after exposure. The absence of symptoms does not confirm safety.
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True lilies pose a severe risk to cats. Small amounts of pollen, plant material or vase water might result in kidney damage.
Not every plant with βlilyβ in its name belongs to the same plant group. Take a photograph and let your veterinarian identify the plant.
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All parts of a cycad are toxic. The seeds pose the greatest risk. Ingestion is associated with vomiting, diarrhoea, bleeding problems and liver failure.
Dogs often investigate or chew the seeds. Remove fallen seeds from areas your pets access.
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Oleander is toxic to dogs, cats and other animals. Every part of the plant contains toxic compounds, including dried leaves and cut branches.
Possible signs include drooling, vomiting, weakness, tremors and changes in heart rhythm.
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These flowering shrubs contain grayanotoxins. Ingestion might cause drooling, vomiting, weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors or seizures.
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Brunfelsia, commonly known as yesterday, today and tomorrow, grows in many southern African gardens. Exposure has been linked to vomiting, drooling, poor coordination, tremors and seizures.
A review published by the Journal of the South African Veterinary Association identifies lilies, cycads, Brunfelsia and several other plants as potential poisoning risks for dogs and cats in southern Africa.
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Treatment depends on the plant, the symptoms and the time since ingestion.
Your veterinarian might recommend:
- A physical examination
- Blood or urine tests
- Heart monitoring
- Intravenous fluids
- Medication for nausea, pain or seizures
- Treatment to reduce toxin absorption
- Monitoring of kidney or liver function
- Hospitalisation
Early treatment often gives the veterinary team more options. Follow-up blood tests might be needed after certain exposures, even when your pet seems better.
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Identify every plant in areas your pets access. Ask a nursery or horticulturist for help when you are unsure.
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Cut flowers also pose a risk. Remove true lilies from homes with cats. Remember that fallen pollen and vase water are part of the exposure risk.
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Regularly clear seeds, berries, bulbs and plant clippings from the garden. Cycad seeds deserve special attention.
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Puppies, young dogs and pets that chew objects need closer supervision outdoors. Provide suitable toys and prevent access to garden beds.
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Store Fynbos Animal Hospitalβs daytime and after-hours numbers on your phone. Quick access saves time during an emergency.
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Fynbos Animal Hospital supports pet owners in Worcester and surrounding Western Cape communities, including Rawsonville, Villiersdorp, Ceres, De Doorns and Robertson.
If you suspect your pet ate a toxic plant, contact the hospital immediately. Take a photograph or sample of the plant with you.
Fynbos Animal Hospital
023 022 0200
After-hours: 076 787 1646
71 Baring Street, Worcester
info@fynbosah.co.za
fynbosah.co.za
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Plant poisoning does not always cause immediate or obvious symptoms. Identify the plant, gather the available information and contact your veterinarian without delay.
Fast action gives your pet the best chance of receiving the right treatment at the right time.