Protect Your Pet from Toxic Plants

Have you checked your yard for flowers or plants that may be toxic to your pet? If you have a cat or dog, you may want to do some research on plants, before you bring them home, to determine which could be harmful to your pet. Here are a few plants that are toxic to cats and dogs.

• Oleander: if your pet comes into contact and eats (or licks) an oleander bush or flower, symptoms may include upset stomach or hypothermia. In cats and dogs hypothermia presents as cool paws, ears and stomach.
• Azalea: symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.
• Lilies: in cats symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite.
• Sago Palm: if your pet consumes any part of a Sago Palm, symptoms might include vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.

Other common home and garden plants that are considered to be toxic to your dog or cat include:

• Aloe Vera (commonly used for burns and sunburns)
• Boston Ivy (common ground cover or hanging plant)
• Calla Lilly (flowering plant either indoors or outdoors)
• Bracken Fern (common variety of fern)

If you suspect that your pet has eaten or consumed any plant that may be harmful or toxic, you should consult your veterinarian immediately and/or seek emergent care. When getting ready to plant items in your yard or before bringing home house plants you may want to research the variety first to determine if they are harmful to your cat or dog. One other suggestion: consult your veterinarian to determine what emergency supplies you should have on hand in your home in the event of an emergency.

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About the author: The author owns her own website and is a member of a number of organizations for women Netpreneurs and business owners and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada USA with her two dogs. You can contact Michele at mailto:news@ebooksnstuff.com or visit her website at: http://www.ebooksnstuff.com