Dogs are naturally inquisitive creatures, and many of them like to chomp down on things they shouldn’t be eating. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to tragedy. One way to reduce the risk of harm to your beloved pup is to be mindful of the potential toxicity of the plants inside and around your home. In particular, watch out for the following types of plants that are toxic to dogs.

Azalea

Azaleas are flowering shrubs. They belong to the Rhododendron genus. They are beautiful plants, with flowers ranging from pink to white to purple to yellow. Unfortunately, they’re also toxic to dogs. If your dog eats a few leaves, he will develop mouth irritation, nausea, and vomiting. Dogs who consume more than a few leaves will have a drop in blood pressure, which could be fatal.

Daffodil

Dogs can develop toxicity from eating any part of this plant, but the bulb is the most toxic. In fact, the bulb of any plant should automatically be considered toxic to dogs. A dog who eats a daffodil may suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, convulsions, low blood pressure, and abdominal pain.

Sago Palm

The sago palm looks like it could be native to Arizona, but it’s actually from Japan. It’s often kept as a houseplant, which may increase the risk that a dog will eat it out of curiosity. The sago palm is extremely toxic to dogs. A dog who eats it will suffer from bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhea, bleeding disorders, and liver failure. It can be deadly.

Oleander

Oleander is a beautiful, flowering shrub that’s also incredibly deadly to dogs and humans alike. The plant doesn’t need to be ingested to be deadly. Adding it to a bonfire will create deadly smoke. If eaten, the oleander can cause fatal heart abnormalities.

Here at Complete Landscaping, we’re always conscious of how a property’s plant selection might affect the health of its occupants. Our professional landscapers can help you adjust your landscape to keep your pets safe. You can reach our friendly office staff in Tucson at (520) 323-8918.