Pet owners urged to avoid seven spring flowers that can be toxic to dogs and cause ‘serious harm’
NOTHING says spring quite like a sunny walk surrounded by blossoming flowers and green fields.
After lots of dark and wet nights, it’s the perfect time to take your beloved dog on longer, more adventurous walks in the sunlight – especially with the clocks about to change.
But pet owners have been warned that there are certain spring flowers and plants that, although beautiful, have the potential to cause harm to your pooch.
Experts at Pooch & Mutt have revealed there are seven flowers that are toxic to dogs and can cause “serious harm”.
While some spring blooms won’t harm your dog at all if they have a nibble, others can be dangerous if ingested.
And since some mischevious dogs have an uncontrollable urge to eat things, whether they’re edible or not, it’s super important you’re aware of what all the most toxic flowers, plants and seeds look like.
This way you’ll avoid any alarming incidents that will require emergency treatment or, if the unfortunate happens, know what action to take.
What spring flowers are toxic to dogs?
Tulips. The bulbs of these popular spring flowers are the most toxic part, as they can cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea.
Daffodils. Every part of a daffodil is poisonous to a dog, but especially the bulbs. They can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and even heart issues in severe cases.
Bluebells. These fragrant woodland flowers contain toxic glycosides that can cause nausea, vomiting and lethargy to a dog when eaten.
Foxgloves. These toxic flowers contain cardiac glycosides which affect the heart, potentially causing life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities.
Lily of the Valley. All parts of Lily of the Valley is highly toxic to dogs, affecting the heart and potentially leading to severe symptoms like irregular heartbeat, vomiting and seizures.
Crocuses. Spring crocuses can cause mild stomach upset if eaten, but note the Autumn crocus (which usually flowers in the autumn) is even more toxic and can cause organ damage to dogs.
Hyacinths. The bulbs of hyacinths contain toxins that can cause irritation, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
If your pooch has snaffled a plant that isn’t edible, then contact your vet immediately.
And be sure to look out for these seven symptoms –
drooling excessively, change in behaviour/lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea, swelling of mouth and throat, tremors/seizures, struggling to breathe, and, worst of all, collapse.
What spring flowers are safe for dogs?
There are so many beautiful flowers you can plant and enjoy growing in your own garden, that are totally safe for your pooch to sniff around.
Blooms such as:
- Roses
- Sunflowers
- Marigolds
- Snapdragons
- Petunias
- Pansies
- Violets
- Daisies
Of course, if your dog eats a large amount of anything they’ll probably get a mild stomach upset, so keep an eye on them when they’re exploring freely among the flowerbeds.