Here’s a list of plants that dog and cat owners should avoid, and safer alternatives that can replace them. “Most common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and seizures. In severe cases, ingestion of poisonous plants can lead to liver failure, kidney failure, and cardiovascular problems,” Laura Stern, of ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center, tells mbg. Sheena Haney, DVM, a veterinarian with FirstVet online vet care adds that neurologic symptoms such as incoordination, tremors, and seizures are also possible. “If you suspect that your pet ate or even chewed on a toxic plant, you must take action quickly. Some toxins start to take effect within 20 minutes, while others can take a few hours,” she says. You can either call your primary veterinarian, an emergency clinic, a telehealth provider like FirstVet, or either of these hotlines that have veterinary toxicologists on staff. It might be worth saving these numbers in your phone now, just to be safe: Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
