All pet owners want to make sure that their pets remain as healthy as possible, yet you might not realize that there are several common types of plants found inside the home that may have an adverse affect on the well being of your pet. If you own a pet chances are that you also have a few houseplants, especially if you are living in a space with no backyard, like a Scarborough condo. So we compiled a list of some common indoor and outdoor plants that you want to keep your dog or cat (in fact, it is probably your cat that is going to have more problems, as far as sampling the plants goes) away from.
Lilies: Beautiful flowers that people like to have inside and outside, all lilies contain some type of component that has an extremely adverse affect on cats. No one is sure exactly what it is in lilies that make cats so sick, but the result of even a little bit of lily munching can mean that your feline ends up with some severe kidney damage. Large amounts, of course, can lead to death.
Rhododendrons: Gorgeous plants with beautiful blooms, and highly popular in wet areas, rhododendrons contain grayantoxins. These substances have a highly negative effect on dogs and on cats. The substance acts as a depressant on the central nervous system and a stimulant to the digestive system; comas and death, bad periods of vomiting, and diarrhea are all possible outcomes.
Chrysanthemums: The blooms on the ever-popular chrysanthemum plant will have an impact on the digestive system when they are eaten. And you know what that means, pet owners, plenty of clean up in the form of vomit, diarrhea, and drool, not to mention the impact on your pet's system (specialized diet for a few days and so on) .
English Ivy: Again, straight to the digestive tracts with these leaves when a pet is munching on them. Lot of mess and discomfort for everyone!
There are several other plants that can be toxic to your pets when they are nibbled on, but these are the most serious as well as the most common. For a complete list of harmful plants, check with your veterinarian or nursery supply store. Any time you are thinking about adding an exotic or rare species of plant to your home or garden collection, make sure you find out just what, if any, effects ingestion could have on your pets. It will make life a lot easier on both your furry friends and yourself if you can keep these poisonous plants away from your home.
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