Lawns, Toxic Plants, and Outdoor Chemicals

Herbicides (weed killers), insecticides, rodent poison, and slug and snail bait are some of the toxic chemicals used outdoors that may be harmful to your pet. Each summer, insecticides and herbicides poison thousands of pets. When using these chemicals, follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Make sure that all receptacles and containers are thoroughly washed and out of reach of your pet. Runoff or puddles created from spraying these products should be thoroughly diluted. Do not allow pets in the yard while spraying these products and keep them out of the yard for 3-4 days afterwards. Often, pets walk on surfaces covered with herbicides and become intoxicated after cleaning or licking their paws.

 

 

Toxic Plants

 

Many plants are toxic to pets. These plants must be ingested in order to cause poisoning. Included below is a partial list of common poisonous plants. These plants are listed in alphabetical order:

 

Azalea 

Braken Fern 

Bleeding Heart 

Boxwood 

Castor Bean 

Crocus 

Crown of Thorns 

Delphinium 

Dutchman's Breeches 

English Holly 

English Ivy 

Foxglove 

Horse Chestnut 

Hyacinth 

Hydrangea 

Iris 

Jack in the Pulpit 

Jerusalem Cherry 

Jimsonweed 

Larkspur 

Lilly-of-the-Valley 

Laurel 

Locust 

Lupine 

Mayapple 

Nightshade 

Oleander 

Poison Ivy 

Red Oak 

Rhododendron 

Star of Bethlehem 

White Snake Root 

Yellow Jasmine 

Yew

 

Poison oak and poison ivy can cause a skin irritation on your pet. More often though, the problem is when your pet passes it to you. Their fur becomes a source of the poison oak or poison ivy. You develop symptoms after contact with your pet.