9 plants you should never plant in your garden
Many common garden plants can be highly toxic to pets, posing severe health risks that can lead to costly veterinary treatment and can even be fatal.
Alarmingly, 85% of the 15,000 calls to the Animal Poisons Helpline each year relate to dogs. Puppies are at the highest risk of poisoning during their first year of life because of their curious nature and tendency to chew on unfamiliar objects.
As a pet owner, ensuring your garden is safe for your furry companions is crucial. To help you create a safe outdoor environment, we have compiled a list of nine highly toxic plants that should never be planted in a pet-friendly garden.
1. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Sago Palms are listed first for a reason! Ingestions of this plant unfortunately results in a high risk of severe poisoning including death. Sago palms are popular ornamental plants, but all parts of this plant, especially the seeds, contain cycasin, a toxin that can cause severe liver failure in pets.
Ingestion of even a small amount can result in vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, seizures, and in severe cases, death. Liver damage can occur rapidly, making early intervention critical. Treatment often includes gastrointestinal decontamination, liver support and prolonged hospitalisation.
2. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
Oleander is a striking plant often used in landscaping, but it contains toxic cardiac glycosides that can cause serious heart irregularities, vomiting, diarrhoea, and potentially fatal effects in both dogs and cats. Ingestion of even a relatively small amount of plant material can potentially have devastating consequences.
Ingestion may lead to signs such as drooling, tremors, and weakness. If left untreated, the poisoning can progress to fatal heart arrhythmias. Immediate veterinary intervention is essential, with treatments focusing on stabilising heart function and managing evolving signs.
3. Azalea (Rhododendron spp.)
Azaleas contain grayanotoxins, which interfere with sodium channels in the body, leading to vomiting, drooling, diarrhoea, and, in severe cases, life-threatening heart issues and neurological problems in pets.
Signs of poisoning can appear within hours of ingestion and may include weakness, depression, and difficulty breathing. Large ingestions can lead to a drop in blood pressure, coma, or death. Veterinary care typically involves gastrointestinal, decontamination and medications to stabilise the heart and neurological function.
4. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (Brunfelsia spp.)
These beautiful flowering plants may have an amusing name, but when it comes to your pets there’s nothing amusing about them. Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow contain toxic alkaloids, including brunfelsamidine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, seizures, and, in severe cases, death.
Dogs are particularly vulnerable, and cases of fatal poisoning have been reported. Illness can persist for several days, and there is no specific antidote. Treatment focuses on managing neurological signs, preventing further absorption of the toxin, and providing supportive care.
5. Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Foxglove is known for its tall spikes of bell-shaped flowers, but it contains potent cardiac glycosides that can cause severe heart complications, including arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, vomiting, and drooling in pets. Even a small amount can be deadly.
Signs can progress rapidly to weakness, collapse, and sudden death. Veterinary treatment includes decontamination and anti-arrhythmic medications.
6. Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
Unlike the common spring crocus, the autumn crocus contains colchicine, a toxin that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, kidney and liver damage, and respiratory failure in pets. Signs may be delayed for several hours or even days, making early intervention crucial.
Common signs include vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, and difficulty breathing. There is no antidote, so treatment is aimed at managing signs and preventing further absorption of the toxin.
7. Castor Bean Plant (Ricinus communis)
This plant contains ricin, one of the most potent plant-based toxins known. Ingestion of even a small amount can lead to severe vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, tremors, seizures, and multiple organ failure. The seeds are the most toxic part, and as few as one or two seeds can be fatal to a dog.
Immediate veterinary intervention is essential if ingestion occurs, with treatment focusing on decontamination and supportive management of evolving signs.
8. Thornapple (Datura spp.)
Datura, or thornapple, contains tropane alkaloids that can cause significant neurological signs in pets, including hallucinations, seizures, rapid heart rate, and respiratory failure. This plant poses a serious risk to curious pets who may chew on its leaves or seed pods.
Signs of poisoning include dilated pupils, disorientation, dry mouth, and hyperactivity.
9. Lilies (Hemerocallis and Lilium spp.)
Lilies are highly toxic to cats! Even tiny amounts, such as pollen or water from a vase containing lilies, can cause severe kidney failure. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
Without prompt treatment, kidney failure can develop within 24 to 72 hours, leading to irreversible damage and death. Emergency veterinary care and close monitoring of kidney function is required for all exposures.
Pet insurance can provide peace of mind and protection in the event that your pet is ever poisoned.
Find out more about our dog insurance options
Protecting your pets
By being proactive and choosing pet-safe plants, you can create a beautiful yet secure garden for your furry friends.
Given the high risk of poisoning in young animals, it is vital for pet owners to be extra cautious during a puppy’s first year of life. Puppies explore the world through their mouths, making them more susceptible to ingesting toxic plants.
To safeguard your pet:
- Consider removing any of the plants listed above from your garden.
- Supervise pets when they are outdoors.
- Educate family members about the dangers of toxic plants.
- Consider taking out pet insurance for your furry friend, such our Nose-to-Tail Cover, to help with emergency vet bills.
What to do if your pet is poisoned
Awareness and quick action are key in preventing poisoning incidents. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, immediately contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738. Provide details such as the type of plant, the quantity ingested, and your pet’s signs. Time is critical, and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
Unsure how serious it is?
Bow Wow Meow policyholders can get access to trusted vet care anytime, anywhere, at no additional cost. Connect to an experienced Australian registered vet via video call, 24/7. Whether it’s providing vet advice, setting up at-home treatment plans, or confirming if you need to visit a vet in person, you can get help when you need it.
Find out more about our pet insurance cover options.
Next steps…
As a loving pet owner, it’s important to educate yourself on the many potential dangers to our pets that may be present in our homes or neighbourhoods. To keep yourself informed, subscribe to the Animal Poisons Helpline newsletter to stay updated on potential risks. The following resources can help ensure you provide the best care for your dog or cat.
