Keeping Your Garden and Home Safe for Your Pets

Springtime is the season when those of us who enjoy gardening and landscaping are once again busy mowing lawns, visiting nurseries to buy those beautiful plants and in general decorating and getting our green thumbs working. We are relieved that winter is a thing of the past, and we passionately spend time in our gardens, we enthusiastically plant shrubs and flower beds.

Even though some plants may be quite attractive, at the same time, we need to exercise caution and be mindful of the types of plants that we bring into our homes, no matter how appealing, or how beautiful they may be. Many plants appear benign but some plants can be extremely toxic and hazardous to our dogs and cats.

One of these horticultural lovelies, The Sago Palm while it is an attractive houseplant is also highly toxic to pets. According to an article I found while recently researching poisonous plants, the sago palm, also known as the Coontie Palm, Cardboard Palm, cycads and zamias; Scientific name: Cycas revoluta, zamia species, is a plant that causes severe reactions, such as vomiting, melena, increased thirst, bruising, gastrointenteritis, blood problems, liver damage and failure which may result in death.

Family: Cycadaceae Toxicity: Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Horses Toxic Principles: Cycasin

The ASPCA has seen an increase of more than 200 percent sago palm and cycad poisonings since 2003, most of them have resulted in fatalities. Veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant warns that all parts of the plant are toxic, "not just the seeds or nuts".

So, dear gardener and plant lovers, please take the extra time to research plants with which you plan to surround your home, whether it is in your garden or in your home. Visit the ASPCA's website which lists toxic plants at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

If you suspect your pet has ingested any toxic plant, call your veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA 24 hour hotline poison control center directly at: 1-888-426-4435.

What precautions do you take when adding plants to your garden or your home? Leave a comment and share your experience with us.