Melanyh (Houston, Tx, Us) on 06/18/2011
Warning
We have poison ivy in our backyard, which my husband & I know to avoid. We have both had poison ivy more times than I'd like to mention. This summer, our 2 yr old Bull Terrier began getting red spots under her fur and on her stomach. She was itching and nibbling at her skin constantly. She is already treated with an internal & external flea medication, so we couldn't figure out what it was. She was completely miserable - always scratching, itching, and biting herself. She was even losing hair in those itchy areas. I tried a variety of pet products for skin issues, but nothing was working.
One day I was bathing her & I noticed that I had a small patch of poison ivy on my arm. Then it hit me - - she had poison ivy. We have always been told that dogs cannot get poison ivy, but I decided to do a little more research. Almost every site out there will tell you that dogs cannot get it; therefore, there are no remedies for it. I finally found one site that said, "yes, dogs can get poison ivy if the oils get past the fur. " This is why she had most of it on her stomach, where there is little hair. When she scratched, it moved the oils to other parts of her body. My husband & I swear by Burt's Bees Poison Ivy soap(you can find it at WFM). I immediately washed her with this soap, and you can tell she felt better. I washed the affected areas once or twice a day, and her poison ivy went away. Now, it has recently come back because we still have poison ivy in our yard, but now I can nip it in the bud before it gets bad. YES, your dog CAN get poison ivy!
Are Croton Plants Safe for Pets? Annette (Nashville, Tennessee) on 09/17/2010
We were given a Croton Plant and we have 2 cats. We want to make sure they are not dangerous if our cats decide to chew on the leaves.
Is Buttercup Poisonous to Dogs? Marcia (USA) on 09/11/2009
Buttercup - poisonous to dogs? Formerly my Border terrier was grass grazer, but lately she has turned to buttercup leaves. Of course, I stop her. However, is there something missing in her diet that makes her look for this plant?
Poisonous Plants for Pets - Autumn Crocus (Response to Our Article) Shannon C. (Phoenix, AZ) on 06/10/2009
I think it is important to note that Automn Crocus is not an actual "crocus" which is confusing because some crocus bulbs due come up in the fall. here is the wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicum_autumnale which includes a photo for distinction.
Is Honeysuckle Poisonous to Cats? Paul (Ridgewood, New Jersey) on 06/03/2009
Is honeysuckle poisonous to cats? My wife recently brought in cuttings from a Yellow Honeysuckle (Lonicera Flava) and a Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera Japonica). I noticed one of our cats eating the leaves. Can this make him sick?
EC: Honeysuckle is mentioned on various forums as being toxic to cats, but no varieties are listed.
http://dcn.davis.ca.us/vme/DrSue/poisplnt.html#h
List of good links to other sites with extensive databases: http://amby.com/cat_site/plants.html
Dog Eats Lantana, Then Throws Up Christina (Columbia, SC) on 05/24/2009
Hi, I have a lantana bush in my backyard. My dog eats the leaves and then throws up, I noticed that you all say they are poisonous. Is she just eating them to make herself throw up? Also, my backyard is filled with azaleas, wisteria, wild black cherry, and a huge yew tree. Should I worry about these plants around my dog...she never eats those but the lantana and she also eats camelia flowers...when she eats the lantana she vomits then she's ok. What should I do?
Ivy Poisonous to Cats? Kathy Novak (USA) on 04/16/2009
I have a planter that has Ivy in it. I called the flower company that sent it and asked what kind of ivy it is. The reason being I have four cats in my house and I know that some ivys are poisonous. After searching on line I think I have it narrowed down to an ivy called Hedera a. Gloire de Marengo. I can't find any information on whether or not this is toxic to cats. I have it up high now so they can't get at it. But eventually I will need to put the plant where it can get sun. Thanks so much!
EC: Here are photos from a google search if anyone is interested to see what this type of ivy looks like: http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&sa=1&q=Hedera+a.+Gloire+de+Marengo&btnG=Search+Images&aq=f&oqq
Wondering if Norfolk Island Pine Is Poisonous to Cats Norma Gutierrez (Camden, New Jersey) on 12/01/2008
please tell us if the norfolk island plants are poisonous for cats?
EC: Here's a thread from a garden site with mention of a Norfolk Island Pine as being non-toxic to pets:ÃÂ http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/houseplt/msg0806512216955.html
Also: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_Norfolk_Island_Pines_safe_for_pets
Question About Houseplant - Poisonous for Dogs? Kathy (Bay City, MI) on 10/20/2008
Poison plants for dogs: I do not know the proper name for umbrella plant but my puppy is eating the leaves; will she get sick? It is a very large house plant. Thanks.
EC: Is it a Cyperus alternifolius (aka Umbrella Palm)? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyperus_alternifolius
Re: Our List of Poisonous Plants for Pets Jeffery (Austin, Texas) on 08/30/2008
Warning
Please use botanical names for plants, as well as the very changeable common names. Is your "Bird of Paradise" a Ceasalpinia or a Strelitzia for example. As a Landscape Designer this is invaluable information. Mistaken common names could be deadly! Thank You for your consideration.
EC: Good point. Unfortunately, that list was compiled a few years ago by a writer in Canada. We'll try to find out Dawn's resources.
Debra (Union, NE) on 07/07/2008
Warning
Poisonous Plants to Dogs:Since ponds have become so popular, I'm trying to find a list of decorative grasses that can be used around dogs. My neighbor's 2 bichon puppies became very ill from chewing on one of the following plants: Feather Reed, Miscanthus, Blue Oat, Big Twister, Bee Balm, & Japanese Blood Grass. I've been trying to get info on these plants & have become frustrated trying to find a straight forward simple answer. And for any plant nurseries out there - you should have a list available to all of your customers & ask if they have pets BEFORE you recommend plants.
Thanks for any information you can share with me.
Angela (Leitchfeld, kentucky) on 06/13/2007
re: curing poisioning and stomach toxins: I had a full size male doberman pinscher, was poisoned with antifreeze. Tried to take him to the vet, and would not take him said there was nothing they could do. Well being he was my baby i didn't give up. Someone told me to cook bacon, take the grease, a raw egg, and a lemon lime soda, mix it together and force him to eat it, granted he threw up alot, it was bright neon green, but i kept feeding it to him until it was no longer green, then feed him pedialight for dehydration, he lived and is fine today, it seems to force any toxin that is in their system out.
Wayne (palm springs, california) on 01/27/2008
Hydrogen peroxide. For a dog that has ingested a poisonous substance where vomiting will be the solution to expel the toxin, put 1 tsp' [3%] HP in the mouth. Take the dog OUTSIDE and throw a pinch of salt in its mouth. The entire contents of the stomach will be immediately expelled.
