Protect your Pets from Toxic foods

Pets often tend to chew on plants which are not edible, some of which are actually toxic. Depending on the plants toxicity level, the effects of ingesting a certain plant will range from simply digetive upset and vomiting to coma and death.

Understanding the basics of plant identification and knowing which plants to keep out of your pets\' reach is an important first step in ensuring the safety of our furry friends. The following list of toxic plants is not an all-inclusive listing. Toxicity will vary according to the species ingesting it, the number of leaves ingested, etc. Here is a summary of some commonly found toxic house plants.

Candelabra Cactus (crown of thorns), Dieffenbachia (dumbcane), English ivy, Holly, Hydrangea, Lilly (Easter Lily, Tiger Lily, Japaneses showy lilies, day lillies and others in the Lilium family), Mistletoe, Oleander, Philodendron, Poinsettia, Rhododendron, Chrysanthemum, Daffodil, Deiphinium, Hyacinth, Jerusalem Cherry, Sago Palm, Tulip.

Cat nip is actually also very minimally toxic. The most familiar effects are a wild, or disoriented appearance. You can go ahead and allow your cats to chew this plant in moderation, but very large amounts ingested in a short time period can result in vomiting and diarrhea.

To protect your pets, know which plants are toxic and keep pets away. If you suspect your pet has chewed and /or eaten parts of a toxic plant, call your veterinarian ( immediately. If you have trouble identifying a plant contact your local nursery for assistance. Cats can get equally as sick as dog eating the wrong plants.