Keeping Your Garden and Home Safe for Your Pets

Petside Blog
|
Poll Archive
|
A-Z
- AAHA
- Beds
- Bones
- Books
- Bowls
- Carriers
- Cat Food
- Catnip
- Collars
- Crates
- Dog Food
- Grooming Tools
- Leashes
- Pet Food
- Pet Picture
- Pet Store
- Pharmacy
- Toys
- Treats

| Print | By Jo Singer | May 7, 2009 10:16 AM

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.

RELATED TOPICS: Blogs (252) , Safety (12)

« Previous

Ruth from England May 7, 2009 11:55 AM

We have a list of cat friendly home and garden plants, which we check before buying any new ones. Our garden is playground to our own cats and many visiting neighbourhood ones, as well as hedgehogs and many various birds. We are lucky in that we are right on the edge of a housing estate and have very tall trees outside our garden fence.Our garden is our little bit of Paradise for us and for all God's creatures who want to share it.

Vicki May 7, 2009 12:56 PM

Well planats is one thing I don't have to worry about. You see, I can kill silk plants. I have great luck with my garden, but house plants run when they see me. I never touch a living plant of any kind because it is the kiss of death. So, plants do not come to live at my house because they know it wouldn't be long until daa daa daa daam.

Amy May 7, 2009 1:36 PM

My cats are never let out doors and I do not have plants in the house. But I sure this article will help many people out. Good job!

jmuhj May 7, 2009 2:45 PM

As with all truly caring and responsible cat caregivers, I don't let my beloved cats out, and I don't have any plants in the house which could cause them harm. There's a list of the "no-no's" in my computer's files, though, just in case someone else needs the information. And yes, we LOVE silk plants/flowers.

Michael May 8, 2009 2:13 AM

Good write up but I take exception to the above comment as I AM a 'truly responsible cat caregiver' and my cats go out ! Why should they not, I live in England where we are civilised enough not to declaw our cats and expect them to sit bored stiff all day.My cats live long fulfilled lives enjoying fresh air and doing what cats were born to do ! We live in a totally different culture here and thank God we do.As for plants, I am very careful about those as I am about everything in the interests of my cats.

Vince June 6, 2009 11:33 PM

These plants are killing cats and dogs at an alarming rate. Check out this page that also has a link to a petition site: http://www.mo-driver.com/sago-palm-plants-kill.htm

We need to protect our pets. These plants are sold in northern state where they cannot survive outside, so they must come inside during the winter.

add your comment