8 Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs - Part 8 Hops

Hops

Hops are used in beer brewing, so home brewers need to be aware of this toxic plant.  Ingestion of hops by dogs causes their body temperatures to skyrocket.  Signs can be seen within hours.  Dogs become agitated and begin to pant.  Their body temperature can get high enough to kill them - up to 108 degrees Fahrenheit.

8 Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs - Part 7 Autumn Crocus

Autumn Crocus

Autumn crocus contains chemotherapy-like compounds that attack rapidly dividing cells in the body.  Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and possible death.  Do not confuse this flower with the innocuous spring crocus which is not toxic.

8 Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs - Part 6 Castor Bean

Castor Bean

Ricinus communis (commonly known as the castor bean) contains ricin, which can be highly toxic.  Ricin causes multiple organ failure.  Ricin is found throughout the plant, but the highest levels are found in the seeds.  The seed coat must be damaged to release the toxins, so animals who swallow the seeds whole may not get sick.  the mortality rate of dogs is about 9%.  These beans are also commonly used in many rustic-type ornaments and jewelry.

8 Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs - Part 5 Japanese Yew

Japanese Yew

Yews are commonly used as landscaping plants as they stay green year-round.  A pet looking for a bit of winter green may be tempted to take a nibble.  Yews contain compounds that have a direction action on the heart.  The toxins can cause an irregular heartbeat or even stop the heart.  All parts, except for the ripe berry (a fleshy red structure surrounding the seed), are toxic.  Sudden death can occur within hours of ingestion.

8 Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs - Part 4 Grayanotoxin

Grayanotoxin Plants

Grayanotoxins can cause vomiting, seizures and cardiac arrest.  sources include rhododendrons, azaleas, laaurels, and Japanese pieris.  These are typically outdoor plants, but they are highly toxic in all species and deserve extra caution.

8 Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs - Part 3 Cardiac Glycoside

Cardiac Glycoside Plants

Plants containing cardiac glycoside include oleander, foxglove and lily of the valley.  These glycosides slow down the heartbeat and can even stop it.  These plants are toxic in all species.  They are typically outdoor/landscape plants, but the popular and beloved lily of the valley is a common bouquet flower for winter arrangements, weddings and other holiday gatherings.

8 Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs - Part 2 Lillies

Lilies

Members of the true lily family (Lilium and Hemerocallis) have been shown to cause kidney failure in cats.  Some examples of true lilies include Easter lilies, tiger lilies, rubrum or Japanese showy lilies, and day lilies.  Even a small amount of exposure (a few bites on a leaf, ingestion of pollen, etc.) may result in kidney failure.  Cats often vomit within a few hours of exposure and stop producing urine within 72 hours.  Cats who receive quick treatment (intravenous fluids for two days) have a good prognosis.  Lilies are common in holiday flower bouquets and arrangements, as are popular lily-like holiday flowering bulbs, such as amaryllis, which can also be toxic to pets.

8 Plants That Are Poisonous to Cats and Dogs - Part 1 Sago Palm

I know this doesn't pertain to cooking but it does pertain to the dangers of what our pets might eat and the health problems that can occur.  If you're an animal lover, like me, you might just find this information helpful.  I'll be posting this in 8 parts with hopes that it will be easier to consume.

This was sent to me by my veterinarian and since I love plants, inside and out, this is something that I plan on keeping handy for the health of my Jesse. 

These are the 8 plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs.

Many common plants, both in the house and the yard, can be toxic to our pets, including some that can still be found even in the winter, either because they are being brought in from outside or because they are popular in holiday displays or decorations.  some toxic plants only cause mild stomach upset, while others can be poisonous.  To make things even more confusing, some plants are safe for some species while deadly for others.  As a pet owner, it is important that you be familiar with the most dangerous of the toxic plants.

Sago Palms

Sago palms (Cycas and Macrozamia spp.) can be found as outdoor ornamental plants in warm climates or as houseplants in cooler climates.  Ingestion of sago palm plants can cause liver failure and death in dogs and cats.  All parts of the plant are toxic, with the seeds having the highest concentration of toxin.  One seed can kill a dog.  Vomiting usually begins within 24 hours, and the animal becomes depressed and may start having seizures.  This plant is one of the most toxic, with a mortality rate of around 30%.

Pets and Poisonous Substances

I know this is a food site but now and then I run across something that needs to be posted to as many people as possible.  The information I'm posting today has to do with those wonderful, furry little babies that we call our pets.  If you're a pet lover like me, please copy this information and keep it handy.  It's one of the best lists of toxins that are poisonous that I've ever seen. 

Both known and unknown toxins can be found hiding in our houses and yards. In 2011, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, fielded more than 165,900 phone calls about pets exposed to poisonous substances. Visit our poison app on Facebook.

1. Prescription Human Medications
Almost 25,000 calls last year were about human prescription medications. Pets, especially dogs, are notorious for ingesting any dropped pill. Cardiac and ADHD medications make up a large percentage of these calls. Always make sure to take these medications in a safe place away from your pets.
2. Insecticides
Insecticides were the subject of 11% of calls to the ASPCA in 2011. These include products used on the lawn, in the house and on the pet. The most important thing to do is read the label before you use any insecticide, and never use a product labeled for dogs on cats.
3. Over-the-Counter Human Medications
Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can kill your pet. Never give any medication to your pet without consulting with your veterinarian first.
4. People Food
Chocolate is still the number one people food that pets ingest (we received over 7,600 calls last year). Too much chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate and seizures. The second most common food is xylitol (the sugar substitute). Xylitol can cause seizures and liver failure in dogs. 
5. Household Products
It is amazing what animals can find to chew up around the house from fire logs to paint. Some household items may just cause stomach upset, while others can be deadly.
6. Veterinary Medications
Chewable medications make it easy to give your dog or cat a pill. However, this tasty pill can also mean that the pet, if given access, will ingest all the pills in the bottle. Always make sure to keep pet medications out of reach. Contact your veterinarian if your pet ingests more than its proper dose of
medication or ingests another pet’s medication.
7. Rodenticides
When putting out baits to kill mice and rats, never underestimate the resourcefulness of your pet. Most bait is grain based and is attractive to dogs. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestion can cause internal bleeding, kidney failure or seizures.
8. Plants
About 4% of our phone calls are pet parents calling about their animals eating plants. This is one category that cats lead dogs in the number of exposures. Lilies can cause kidney failure and death in cats. Please see our list of toxic/non-toxic plants for more information.
9. Lawn and Garden Products
Fertilizers, which can be made of dried blood, poultry manure and bone meal, are very attractive to pets, so it is not surprising that we get many calls (almost 3,900 in 2011) on lawn and garden items.
10. Automotive Products
With more people keeping their animals inside (especially cats), the number of animals exposed to automotive products (antifreeze, brake fluid, etc.) has dropped. This is great news since many of these products, if ingested, can be life-threatening to pets.

If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.