Dog owners must be aware of these harmful plants (stock photo) (Image: Getty)
Now that the weather is warming up and spring is in full swing, taking your dog for a walk isn’t nearly as miserable as it is when it’s constantly raining and windy. But the milder weather brings its own challenges, as there are now flowers growing that you need to keep your dogs away from – as they could be dangerous.
A dog expert on social media has warned all pet owners to be careful when taking their dogs for walks or when planning which plants to grow in their gardens, as there are three common flowers found all over the UK that can be “harmful” to dogs.
In a TikTok video, professional pet sitters Birmingham Pet Sitters, who operate in Birmingham and Solihull, shared the three types of flowers that they wouldn’t let dogs near, as they can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and breathing difficulties.
Each of the three flowers shared in the video is most common in the spring, so it’s vital that dog walkers and owners remain vigilant at this time of year and don’t let their dogs roam in areas that might get them into trouble.
Tulips
The first flower dogs should stay away from is tulips. The hugely popular spring flower can be harmful to dogs because it contains a toxic compound known as allergenic lactones, which can cause poisoning if ingested.
Signs of poisoning include:
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Diarrhoea
- Heart rate changes
- Breathing difficulties
This comes after a dog sadly passed away after visiting a tulip festival earlier this month. Jemma Ladwitch’s three-year-old springer spaniel, Bobby, died three hours after visiting Farmer Copley’s Tulip Festival in Pontefract on April 17th.
Robert Copley, Farmer Copley’s director, said there was “clear guidance” on the firm’s website about keeping dogs on leads, and additional signage about the dangers of tulips had since been installed.
It’s not just the flowers that are toxic to dogs, either. Dogs can be poisoned by eating tulip bulbs as well as the flower, and even licking contaminated soil can cause health problems, so it’s best to keep them far away from tulips altogether.
Buttercups
Buttercups are also poisonous to dogs and can cause many of the same symptoms as tulips. All buttercup species contain a toxin called protoanemonin, which can cause severe irritation, blisters in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, drooling, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Not only are buttercups poisonous when ingested, but they can also cause skin irritation just from contact. The flower doesn’t taste nice to dogs, and as it causes pain, most dogs won’t eat enough of it for it to be fatal. However, you should take your dog to the vet if you know it has ingested buttercups, as even a small amount can be dangerous.
Bluebells
All parts of the bluebell plant are poisonous to dogs, including the bulb, stem, leaves, and flowers. They contain toxic glycosides that can cause severe gastrointestinal distress, leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, and a dangerously reduced heart rate.
Bluebells are also one of the most popular plants in the UK, especially during April and May when they are flowering, so it’s vital that dog owners stay vigilant and keep their pets away from these plants.
What to do if your dog eats something toxic
According to the PDSA, you should contact your vet immediately for an emergency appointment if you know your dog has eaten something harmful. Never wait to see if a problem develops, as acting fast could save your dog’s life.
Some common symptoms to look out for include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Twitching
- Low energy (lethargy)
- Reduced appetite
- Standing with a hunched back or adopting a ‘bowing’ or ‘prayer’ position due to tummy pain
- Constipation (straining or not being able to poo)
For more information, visit the PDSA website.