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It
is important to supervise your pet's outdoor activities. |
Many
pets enjoy exploring garden foliage and scents. Unfortunately,
the curious nature of pets can sometimes get them into trouble.
A seemingly innocuous flowerbed or vegetable patch can be
poisonous to cats and dogs. Owners can help their furry friends
avoid danger by limiting the number of hazards and, what's
more important, by supervising animals' outdoor activities.
Oakville, Ontario, veterinarian Dr. Wolfgang Zenker, DVM,
M.Sc. (Path), MBA, says that an owner suspecting that a dog
or cat has ingested a toxic substance should take the pet
to the veterinarian immediately. "A veterinarian can
easily induce vomiting within half an hour of ingestion of
a poison", he says. "Time is of the essence—don't
delay!" Dr. Zenker also points out that owners should
remember that most dogs and cats are much smaller than
humans, and a seemingly small amount of toxin can create a
serious problem for them.
When it comes to creating an outdoor area that's pet safe, every
gardener should be aware of the following.
Harmful Plants
| Plant Name |
Toxic Effects on Cats and Dogs |
Lily
(Lilium spp.) |
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Toxin: unknown. |
|
Highly toxic to cats—ingestion of small
amounts can cause severe kidney damage. |
|
Castor bean
(Ricinus communis) |
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Toxin: ricin. |
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Seeds are highly toxic, but all parts of plant
are poisonous. |
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Ingestion symptoms include abdominal pain, drooling,
vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite and
excessive thirst. Severe cases can result in death. |
|
Chrysanthemum
(Chrysanthemum spp.) |
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Toxin: pyrethrins (also found in insecticides). |
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Ingestion symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea,
hypersalivation, dermatitis and lack of coordination. |
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