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TRUST LIST OF POISONOUS , GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD SUBSTANCES

Poisonous Substances and Food Dangers

Dog owners should always contact their vet for information and advice regarding any potentially hazardous substances, including medicines that their has come into contact with. Veterinary practices have access to a 24 hour Veterinary Information Service.

Never purposely make your dog sick unless your vet advises you to do so.

Some examples of poisonous substances include:

Antifreeze

Antifreeze, screen-wash and some de-icers may contain Ethylene glycol – a substance fatal to dogs and . Antifreeze is available as a liquid to be added to the water in your car engine radiators to prevent freezing. Even small quantities spilt can be life threatening.

It is sweet tasting and attractive to dogs and cats, but is fatal to them so do be sure to keep such items out of your pet’s reach and mop up any spillages straight away. Dispose of old cartons carefully, and ensure you keep your pet out of the garage-especially a new puppy that will investigate any new scent.

Signs such as staggering movements; tiredness; increased heart rate; continuous , or dehydration may suggest that your furry friend has ingested this poisonous substance. Unless your dog is taken to the vet’s promptly after ingestion and given intensive treatment, recovery may be poor!

Chocolate and other 'human' foods

Chocolate meant for human consumption contains which can be lethal – the darker the chocolate the higher amounts of theobromine. Toxic doses vary according to the size of dog and cocoa solid content of the chocolate. Do contact your vets immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate intended for human consumption – especially if you see any of the following symptoms; vomiting, a sore abdomen, excessive thirst, excitability, drooling, slow heart rate or convulsions.

Raisins and can also be lethally toxic.

Small bones such as those from turkey and chicken are obviously not toxic, but should not be given to dogs because of the risk of become lodged in the dog’s throat or splintering (particularly if cooked), potentially perforating the intestinal tract.

Onions can cause anaemia, so should not be fed to your dog in any form.

Xylitol, a sweetener commonly found in sugar-free foods, has recently been found to be toxic to dogs.

Human Medicines

As a general rule you should assume that any human medicine is likely to be toxic to dogs, as very many of them are. Paracetamol is particularly dangerous as it can lead to death, or permanent kidney and liver damage which may require life long medical treatment.

Even if the active substance within a human medicine is appropriate for a dog, the dose is likely to be very different for a dog. Medical dose rates vary between individual dogs due to their size, breed and metabolic rate – just as with .

The golden rule is never dose your dog with any medicine that is not designed to be given to a dog and if you are ever in any doubt ask your vet whether it is safe. And of course, keep all human medicines safely out of your pet’s reach.

Poisonous plants

Important information– please read: Dogs Trust assumes no liability for the content of the following list. This does not represent a complete list of all poisonous plants and is only intended as a guide. Please contact your veterinary surgeon for advice or treatment immediately if you think your pet has eaten any of the following plants and is showing a bad reaction. Your pet may also have a sensitivity or to a that is not on the list, so always be vigilant and seek help if you are worried about your pet’s health.

Common name Botanical name Details (if known) Aconite (, Toxic if eaten, causing and vomiting. May foliage, seeds) species also affect cardiac function – increased heart rate. African violet Saintpaulia

(leaves) ionantha Aloe vera Aloe vera Diarrhoea Hippeastrum Upset stomach, hyperactivity, lethargy, , Amaryllis (bulbs) species shock. Can be fatal. Angels’ trumpets Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. species Caladium Upset stomach, oral , asphyxiation, tremors, Angel wings species , loss of balance. Can be fatal. (seeds) Malus species Seeds contain . Varied toxic effects. Apple leaf croton (kernels) Kernels contain cyanide. Can be fatal. armeniaca Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Arborvitae Thuja species allergy. Arrow grasses Triglochin

(leaves) species Contains a wide variety of poisons resulting in a Asparagus fern setaceus large range of symptoms. Crocus Vomiting, nervous excitement. May cause Autumn crocus speciosus . Avocado (fruit & Persea Diarrhoea, vomiting, laboured breathing. Can be pith) americana fatal. Rhododenron Nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing (all parts) occidentale and coma. Can be fatal if eaten in large enough

quantities.

Gypsophila Baby’s breath paniculata Barilla (leaves & Salsola soda stems) of paradise Strelitzia reginae affected by the plant . (seeds) Celastrus Bittersweet Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. angulatus heart Poisonous in large amounts, contains convulsants. Dicentra formosa (foliage, roots) May also cause dermatitis. Bluebell Hyacinthoides Harmful if eaten in quantity. Buxus Box (leaves) sempervirens Boxwood (leaves, Upset stomach, , excitability or lethargy. Hebe odora twigs) May also cause dermatitis. Pteridium Thiamine deficiency, acute haemorrhagic Bracken aquilinum syndrome, blindness, tumours Broom Cytisus species Buckeyes (nuts & Aesculus Harmful if eaten in quantity. immature growths) species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May Burning bush Kochia scoparia cause a skin allergy. Ranunculus Juice may severely injure digestive system. May Buttercup species also cause dermatitis. Caladium Caladium species Calico bush Kalmia species Harmful if eaten in quantity. Zantedeschia lily (leaves) (as above) species Euphorbia Caper Spurge lathyris Lobelia Cardinal flower cardinalis Castor bean May cause dermatitis. A single Rosary Pea or (leaves and seeds) communis one/two Castor bean seeds can be fatal. Monstera Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten. May Ceriman deliciosa cause dermatitis. Chenille Plant Acalypha hispida (kernels) Prunus species Kernels contain cyanide. Prunus Cherry laurel Harmful if eaten in quantity. laurocerasus China Chinese evergreen Aglaonema Christmas rose Harmful if eaten in quantity. (leaves, roots) Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum May cause dermatitis. (leaves & stems) species Cineraria Senecio species Clematis Gastrointestinal tract and affected Clematis armandii by plant toxins. May cause dermatitis. Similar toxic effects to that of chocolate – Cocoa husks or hyperactivity, increased heart rate. Can kill if mulch enough is eaten.

Corn cockle Agrostemma Harmful if eaten in quantity. (seeds) species Dracaena Corn plant species Anemone species Crocus Codiaeum Croton species

Crown vetch Coronilla varia

Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May Cuckoo pint maculatum cause a skin allergy. Anunculus Crowfoot species Encephalartos Cycads species Cyclamen Gastrointestinal tract affected. Convulsions and Cyclamen species . Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. May also cause Daffodil (bulbs) species dermatitis. Can be fatal. Gastrointestinal tract and kidneys affected. May Daphne species cause dermatitis. Brugmansia species Atropa Deadly nightshade Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. belladonna (seeds, Delphinium Harmful if eaten in quantity. young plants) species Solanum Devil’s fig Harmful if eaten in quantity. hispidium Causes and oral irritation if eaten. May Dieffenbachia cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of species balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal. Dracaena Dragon tree Vomiting and diarrhoea. species Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten. May Dieffenbachia Dumb cane cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of amaena balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal. Dwarf morning Convolvulus Harmful if eaten in quantity. glory tricolor Easter lily (Especially poisonous to cats). longiflorum Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Echium Echium species allergy. Elder (leaves, , Sambuccus bark) species Elderberry Nausea and vomiting. canadensis Intense burning, irritation and swelling of the mouth Elephant ears Bergenia species and throat. If tongue swells enough to block air passage can be fatal. English ivy Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause helix (berries & leaves) dermatitis.

Euonymus European spindle Harmful if eaten in quantity. europaeus False hellebore (roots, seeds, album Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. leaves) Flannel flower Phylica plumosa Harmful if eaten in quantity. Linum Flax Harmful if eaten in quantity. usitatissimum Foxglove (leaves, Digitalis species Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. seeds) Fritillary Fritillaria species Monstera Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten. May Fruit salad plant deliciosa cause dermatitis. Gaulthera Gaultheria Harmful if eaten in quantity. mucronata Geranium Geranium species German ivy Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause Delairea odorata (berries & leaves) dermatitis. German primula Toxic if eaten. May cause skin allergy. Glory lily Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. Golden chain Laburnum Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. (seed capsules) Granny’s bonnets Harmful if eaten in quantity. vulgaris Nandina Heavenly bamboo domestica Helleborus Hellebores species Heliotropum Heliotrope arborescens Hemlock species Hyposcyamus Henbane Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. niger Hibiscus Hibiscus species Holly (berries) Ilex species Upset stomach, tremors, seizures, loss of balance. chestnut Aesculus Harmful if eaten in quantity. (nuts, leaves) hippocastanum Hurricane plant Monstera Varied toxic effects. Causes diarrhoea and oral (bulb) deliciosa irritation if eaten. May cause dermatitis. Hyacinthus Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Hyacinth (bulbs) orientalis allergy. Hydrangea species Iris (roots) Iris species Severe digestive upset. May cause dermatitis. Ivy (entire plant) Harmful if eaten in quantity. Arisaema Causes burning to the mouth. Can cause Jack in the pulpit species . Euonymus Japanese spindle Harmful if eaten in quantity. sieboldianus

Japanese yew Taxus species

Jessamine (berries Digestive disturbance. Gastrointestinal tract and Cestrum species & sap) nervous system affected. Can be fatal. Jerusalem Cherry Solanum Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause

(immature pseudocapsicum dermatitis. growths) Jimson Datura Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium, (Thorn Apple) stramonium incoherence, coma. Can be fatal. Narcissus Jonquil (bulb) species Juniperus Juniper species Kalanchoe Depression, rapid breathing, teeth grinding, , Kalanchoe species paralysis Brassica Haemolytic anaemia, , possible reduced Kale oleracea fertility Kingcup Harmful if eaten in quantity. Laburnum (leaves, Laburnum Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. seeds) anagyroides Lantana Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. Digestive upset, nervousness, depression. Larkspur (young Delphinium Cardiovascular system affected. May cause plants & seeds) species dermatitis. Can be fatal. Laurel Prunus species Harmful if eaten in quantity. Helleborus Lenton rose Harmful if eaten in quantity. orientalis Belamcanda Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May Leopard lily species cause a skin allergy. Cupressocyparis Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Leyland cypress leylandii allergy. Lily Lilium species Harmful if eaten in quantity. Lily of the valley Convallaria (leaves, flowers, Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. species roots) Lily of the valley Pieris japonica bush Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Lobelia Lobelia species allergy. Locust Robinia species Nausea and weakness Lupin (leaves, species Harmful if eaten in quantity. seeds) Mallow Lavatera species Harmful if eaten in quantity. Maple Tree Acer species Marijuana Cannabis sativa Contains hallucinogens. Marsh marigold Caltha palustris Harmful if eaten in quantity. May apple (, Severe diarrhoea. Nervous system affected. roots, foliage) peltatum Thalistrum Meadow rue Harmful if eaten in quantity. delavayi Daphne Mezereon mezereum Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Milkweed Ascepias syriaca allergy. Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause Mistletoe (berries) dermatitis. If eaten by a puppy, a few berries can flavescens be fatal. Aconitum Digestive upset and nervous excitement. Monkshood napellus Cardiovascular system affected. Morning glory Ipomea species

(seeds, roots) Harmful if eaten in quantity.

Cytisus Moroccan broom Harmful if eaten in quantity. battandieri Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten. May Mother-in-law’s Dieffenbachia cause dermatitis. Tremors, seizures, loss of tongue (leaves) amaena balance, asphyxiation. Can be fatal. Mountain laurel Harmful if eaten in quantity. Colchium Naked ladies Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. species Narcissus Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea. May cause dermatitis. Narcissus (bulbs) Can be fatal. Needlepoint ivy Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause

(berries & leaves) dermatitis. Nerine Nerine bowdenii Nightshades Solanum species Intense digestive disturbances. Can be fatal. tree (foliage & Affects kidneys. Symptoms appear after several Quercus species acorns) days. Affects the heart, produces severe digestive upset, Oleander oleander extremely poisonous. May cause dermatitis. Can be fatal. Causes . should not be fed to species dogs in any form. Paspalum Paspalum (seeds) Dermatitis species Pulsatilla Pasque flower Harmful if eaten in quantity. vulgaris Spathiphyllum Gastrointestinal tract affected. May cause Peace lily species dermatitis. (stones & Prunus persica Contain cyanide. leaves) Opuntia Pencil cactus leptocaulis Peony (roots) Paeonia species Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Chlidanthus Peruvian lily allergy. fragans

Philodendron Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten. May Philodendron species (leaves) cause dermatitis. Cytisus Pineapple broom Harmful if eaten in quantity. battandieri Diarrhea, abdominal , delirium. Sap can (leaves, Euphorbia cause irritation and if rubbed in eyes, blindness. stems & sap) pulcherrima May also cause dermatitis. Conium Nervous system affected. May cause dermatitis. hemlock maculatum Can be fatal. (leaves, Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if bark & fruit) radicans they come into contact with skin. Poison oak (leaves, bark & Toxicodendron May cause dermatitis. fruit) Toxicodendron Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if Poison vernix they come into contact with skin. Pokeroot Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. americana

Phytolacca Pokeweed Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. americana Poppy (unripe Papaver species Harmful if eaten in quantity. seedpod) (green skin Solanum

& sprouts) tuberosum Argemone Prickly poppy Harmful if eaten in quantity. mexicana Primrose (leaves) Primula vulgaris Upset stomach. May cause dermatitis. Ligustrum (leaves) Harmful if eaten in quantity. species Causes and liver damage which is Ragwort Senecio species irreversible. Minute doses fatal, often wrongly diagnosed. Raisins Causes kidney failure. Can be fatal. Haemolytic anaemia, blindness, damage to nervous Rape Brassicus napus system, digestive disorders, breathing problems Phytolacca Red-ink plant Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. americana Nausea, vomiting, depression, difficulty breathing Rhododendron species and coma. Can be fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause (leaves) Rheum species convulsions and coma. Can be fatal. Rhododendron Rosebay Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. aureum Catharanthus Rose periwinkle Harmful if eaten in quantity. roseus

Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. May Rue Ruta graveolens cause a skin allergy.

Sago palm Cycas revoluta Can be fatal Savin Juniperus sabina Harmful if eaten in quantity. Brassaia Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Schefflera actinophylla allergy. Asclepias Silkweed Harmful if eaten in quantity. species Galanthus Snowdrops species Solomon’s seal Polygonatum Harmful if eaten in quantity. Chlorophytum Spider plant May cause vomiting and salivation. species Spruce Tree Picea species Euphorbia Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Spurge species allergy. Squill Scilla species Harmful if eaten in quantity. Star-of-Bethlehem Ornithogalum Harmful if eaten in quantity. (bulbs) species Smilacina Starflower Harmful if eaten in quantity. stellata Hypericum St Johns Wort Harmful if eaten in quantity. perforatum Senecio String of rowleyanus or pearls/beads herreianus Sweet pea (stem) Lathyrus

odoratus Harmful if eaten in quantity.

Monstera Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten. May Swiss cheese plant deliciosa cause dermatitis. Monstera Causes diarrhoea and oral irritation if eaten. May Taro vine deliciosa cause dermatitis. Tiger lily Lilium (Especially poisonous to cats) Tobacco plant Nicotiana Harmful if eaten in quantity. (leaves) Pittosporum Tobira tobira plant Lycopersicon (green fruit, stem & lycospersicum leaves) Harmful if eaten in quantity. May cause a skin Tulip Tulipa species allergy. Schlefflera Umbrella plant Toxic if eaten, causing vomiting, diarrhoea. species Toxicodendron Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if Varnish tree vernicifluum they come into contact with skin. Walnut (green hull Juglans nigra juice) Water hemlock maculata Violent painful convulsions. Can be fatal. Toxicodendron Poisonous. Can cause severe blistering dermatitis if Wax tree succedaneum they come into contact with skin.

Weeping fig Ficus species

Wild cherry tree Prunus avium Gasping, excitement, prostration. Can be fatal. (twigs & foliage) Anemone Windflower Harmful if eaten in quantity. species (pods, Nausea, repeated vomiting, stomach pains, severe Wisteria seeds) diarrhoea, dehydration and collapse. Aconitum Wolfsbane Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. septentrionale Woody nightshade Toxic if eaten, causing nausea and vomiting. Yarrow Achillea species , dry mouth and develop within one hour, followed by abdominal cramping, Yew (berries & Taxus species salivation and vomiting. Foliage is more fatal than foliage) berries, death can be sudden without warning or symptoms. Can be fatal.

List of common potentially poisonous household and garden substances –as supplied by the VPIS (Veterinary Poisons Information Service)

Anticoagulant rodenticides difenacoum bromadiolone brodadiolone coumatetralyl Ibuprofen Nurofen Advil Metaldehyde Slug bait Human oral contraceptives (very low ) Chocolate / theobromine Diclofenac sodium (a similar drug to Ibuprofen) Salbutamol Ventalin inhalers Alphachloralose rodenticides Paraquat Wallpaper paste (very low toxicity) Borax / Boric acid ant killer gels Bonemeal Glyphosate based herbicides Asprin Cannabis Batteries Bendiocarb powder ant killers White spirit / barbecue lighter fluid Antifreeze Loperamide anti-diarrhoea drugs Bleach Pyrethrin-based Creosote Temazepam

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