The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Lantana
Posted by 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?
Lantana
Posted by Eunice (Tucson, Az) on 08/26/2011
I have a dog that ate Lantana. I almost lost her. I carried her to the vet and her urine was like ice tea. I moved all of my lantana plants to the front yard where she can not get to them.
Ivy
Posted by 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!
Norfolk Island Pine
Posted by Norma Gutierrez (Camden, New Jersey) on 12/01/2008
please tell us if the norfolk island plants are poisonous for cats?
Reader Feedback
Posted by 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.
Reader Feedback
Posted by 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.
Decorative Grasses
Posted by 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.
Decorative Grasses
Posted by Louise Fennell (Herne Bay Kent, England) on 10/05/2008
Our dog Mindie a cavalier spaniel is currently staying overnight at our vets after she ate miscanthus sinensis, she has been constantly vomiting and poorly. We did not know at first what had caused this problem but reading your site has helped us detect the cause and inform the vet of our info regarding the grass. We are still waiting to hear if she is ok but thank you for this valuable information.
Decorative Grasses
Posted by Ma (Moose Jaw, Sk) on 06/15/2011
Hi, I would like to know if Japanese Blood Grass is poisonious to cats? What would the symptoms be? My cat has been eating it and I have found vomit outside with grass in it. Ma
Remedies to Cure Poisoning in Dogs
Posted by 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.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Sherri (Mohave Valley, Arizona) on 05/21/2007
★★★★★
Please add to your list of poisonous plants the following: Ferns, Asparagus Fern, Austalia Nut, Emerald Feather (aka Emerald Fern), Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern. I am a veterinary technician in Mohave Valley, Arizona. We recently had a 4 month old puppy in that had ingested Asparagus Fern from the family indoor garden. This puppy became quite ill. These are listed as toxic plants at:
housepetmagazine.com/poisonous_plants_dogs.htm. This puppy was presented to us with vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. a blood chemistry profile indicated an elevated ALT. The puppy is still recovering. It is still unknown if there will be lasting damage to the liver. Sincerely
Miniature Roses
Posted by Tracey (Houston, Texas) on 04/24/2007
★★★★★
To Cat Lovers, Our newly kitten ate rose petals from my potted miniature rose bush and started coughing up blood non stop. We rushed him to the emergency room and the doctor stated the petals were eating away his stomach lining. Luckily, they pumped his stomach and were able to treat him back to health. My cat spent 48 hours in the hospital w/ an iv and $1200 later was able to come home. I do not see roses listed on any site as poisonous. They are highly toxic. Please add roses to your list so more cat lovers will know. Thanks!
Miniature Roses
Posted by Chris (New York, NY) on 05/18/2009
Roses are an edible flower, our cat loves rose petals, not to mention that roses are used in drinks and other foods. I would have to guess that your cat was sickened by some kind of spray (either a leaf food or a pesticide) on the roses, as is very common with roses purchased at nurseries that don't specify if they do or do not use pesticides. also, many many professional gardeners use sprays as a matter of habit. You should certainly ask your vet what they think, but i also hope it helps you not be afraid of roses in the future.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Christine (Cairo, Egypt) on 03/31/2007
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Ditto the comment on tea tree oil for dogs. In frustration I used a direct tea tree oil on my pyrenees for fleas. It actually paralyzed his motor functions. I thought he might die before I got him to the vet.
EC: Odd, we have used Tea Tree oil on our dogs for minor skin irritations many times for years without any issues or side effects.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Celleste (Penang, Malaysia) on 09/15/2009
re: Use of tea tree oil for dogs
Did you use the oil diluted or undiluted? What problems did you use it for? Sometimes when my dog gets insect bites, I wanted to apply tea tree oil on him, but was worried that I'd poison him. :D I'd really appreciate your feedback on this. Thank you.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Yvette (Lake Panasoffkee, Florida) on 02/12/2010
I have used tea tree oil to treat both myself and my Labrador for years. The oil has always been diluted approximately 1/4 ounce to 4 to 5 ounces of water for use on the dog to treat skin irritations. It worked, relieving itching, scaling and allowing hair to grow back. I usually apply the oil full strength to my skin for insect bites and cuts. To date, I have not had any reactions.
I personally use tea tree oil shampoo with no problems. I have bathed the Lab with tea tree shampoo (dog version)with no problems.
I did use tea tree shampoo on another dog and found that it did seem to irritate and redden her skin, particularly the underbelly area, and caused her to scratch until she broke the skin. But, then, this dog is extremely sensitive and reacts even to Oatmeal shampoo.
Have never used tea tree oil on cats and never will, simply because cats tend to lick their fur and I don't think ingesting the oil is a good idea.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by S (Wichita, KS) on 08/08/2006
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
RE: Tea tree oil Tea tree oil is toxic to cats! Cats have died just from being bathed with it.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Jaxomsride (Leeds, England) on 03/04/2010
We have used tea tree oil as a topical application to treat wounds and to bathe our cats in order to treat fleas. The tea tree oil has always been dilute and has never had any harmful effect on them.
On the other hand my husband who has been sensitised to it does react badly if he comes in contact with it. It might be the cats who have found it "toxic" have either been given it in its concentrated form, or like my husband have had an extreme allergic reaction.
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Stacey (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 12/22/2011
I find this strange that tea tree oil is toxic. I have a product called Bitter Barrier made with tea tree oil for dogs AND cats that I used to stop the cats from eating our artificial Xmas tree. I used it a lot and they actually got used to it and continued chewing on it and they never had ANY side effects??
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Julie (Indianapolis, In Indiana) on 04/11/2012
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
You may not see any symptoms but the toxicity stays in their system and builds up in their liver over time poisoning your beloved pet and then one day your cat won't eat and has become ill for no apparent reason. Please check the list of poisons before using any essential oil even on yourself. You will find out that all essential oils are poisonous to your cat.
