Plants that are Toxic to Dogs: How to Plant a Dog Safe Spring Garden

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It’s March 1st which means spring has almost officially sprung! And while springtime brings along a plethora of fun seasonal activities for us and our pets, it unfortunately brings some hazards such as toxic plants along with it. While many plants are perfectly harmless to our furry friends, certain flowers and other plants can actually be really dangerous. Before planting your spring garden this year, check out this list of plants that are toxic to dogs to make sure none of them make an appearance.

Which Part of the Plant is Toxic to Dogs?

For most of these plants, the bulb is the most toxic part for our pets. While chewing on the leaves, stems, and petals can cause some GI upset, the bulb is where most of the toxins occur. 

While digging in the garden should be discouraged for multiple reasons, keeping your pup away from plant bulbs should definitely be reason number one. If you suspect your dog ate the bulb of any toxic plant, contact your vet immediately!

Spring Plants that are Toxic to Dogs

1. Tulips

Tulips are a gorgeous spring flower that bring so much color to any garden. Sadly, they’re on the list of plants that are toxic to dogs. Tulips contain a toxin that if ingested can irritate your dogs mouth and GI tract. Dogs that consume any part of a tulip may experience vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drooling. 

2. Daffodils

Daffodils are one of the most toxic flowers to dogs as consuming any part of the plant, or even the water that they’re in, can cause GI upset and neurological issues. When a dog eats a daffodil they may experience vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, inappetence, extreme drowsiness, and wobbliness. 

3. Azalea

All parts of an azalea plant are considered poisonous to dogs. Not only do azalea plants cause GI issues, but they can also cause neurological problems and cardiovascular issues. Symptoms of azalea consumption include but are not limited to:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Difficulty Breathing
• Tremors
• Coma

4. Bluebells

Bluebells aren’t just toxic to dogs, they’re toxic to humans too! Bluebells contain toxic glycosides that are dangerous for most species. Every part of these gorgeous purple plants are toxic and can cause an upset stomach if eaten. If consumed in large quantities they can be fatal. Even the sap from these plants is toxic and can cause skin irritation. 

5. Lilies

Lilies are known for being dangerous to cats but they are toxic to dogs as well. Luckily, fatal lily poisonings are rare in dogs but they can still cause some major GI upset. Not all lilies are toxic to dogs, but the majority of them are, so the plant in general should be avoided around curious pups. 

6. Hyacinth Plants

Hyacinth plants are another common spring plant that is toxic to dogs. All parts of the plant is toxic, but the bulb is where the majority of the danger lies. Symptoms of hyacinth poisoning ranges from diarrhea and vomiting to increased heart rate and seizures. These plants can also cause topical symptoms such as blisters, itching, and redness. 

Spring Plants that are Safe for Dogs

Now you may be wondering, are any plants safe for dogs? Don’t panic, you can still safely create a dog safe garden this spring. Springtime plants that are perfectly safe for your dog includes:

• Roses
• Snapdragons
• Orchids
• Sunflowers
• Petunias
• Pansies
• Jasmine

All of these plants will allow for a gorgeous spring garden without any of the extra worry.

Additional Spring Garden Hazards

While making sure that the plants in the garden are all dog friendly is important, there are a few other garden hazards to be mindful of. 

Certain types of mulch (such as cocoa mulch) and fertilizer can be even more toxic to dogs than the plants themselves. Before planting your garden make sure to research what types of mulch or soil is safe for pets. Staying away from commercial fertilizers that are not pet safe is also the best practice to keep your dog from accidentally ingesting toxic chemicals. 

Another common garden hazard for dogs is mushrooms. While you’re likely not growing mushrooms in your garden on purpose, they do tend to pop up and a lot of wild mushrooms are dangerous for dogs. When it comes to these fungi, it’s best to play it safe and remove any mushrooms that you find. 

And perhaps most toxic of all is weed killer. Most weed killers are incredibly toxic to pets and should be avoided as much as possible. If you must use weed killer on your garden, make sure it’s planted in an area your dog can’t reach or within a fence. 

Note: As always, if you suspect your dog ingested or consumed a toxic plant or other potentially dangerous part of your garden, contact your local vet immediately.