Animal Poison Control Center
1(800) 222-1222
As beautiful as south west Florida is, there are many things that could potentially harm our four legged friends. From plants around the house to the food on your table, here are some things to be cautious of:
Toxic Foods
This is true for cats as well, however, cats don't typically ingest these items. We want you to be more concerned with things like strings, balloons, and other various objects they may chew on and ingest as these can obstruct the GI tract. Also beware of your common outdoor lizard as they carry Salmonella.
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Say YES to grains!
You may believe grain free food is the best for your pet, however, dogs are omnivores and grains make up an important part of their diet. With most "grain free" diets the grains which slow the GI transit, make them feel full, and keep their bowels regular (preventing colorectal disease) are replaced with very fast digesting starches and powders which can wreak havoc on the glycemic index and predispose to diabetes mellitus. Grain free should only be considered applicable if your pet has a rare allergy to grains.
Most Common Toxic Plants
Sago Palm- The sago palm is an extremely poisonous plant to dogs when ingested, causing bloody vomiting and diarrhea, bleeding disorders, liver failure and death. This small palm is often kept as a houseplant, making it more likely that your dog’s curiosity will get the best of him.
Cardboard Palm- These palms are short and wide with fern-like leaves and a large cone (female) or several smaller cones (males) in the middle. While the entire plant is poisonous, it is the seeds in the cones that are deadly.
Lilies- There are dangerous and benign lilies out there, and it’s important to know the difference. Peace, Peruvian, and Calla lilies contain oxalate crystals that cause minor signs, such as tissue irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and esophagus – this results in minor drooling. The more dangerous, potentially fatal lilies are true lilies, and these include Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies – all of which are highly toxic to cats! Even small ingestions (such as 2-3 petals or leaves) can result in severe kidney failure. If your cat is seen consuming any part of a lily, bring your cat (and the plant) immediately to a veterinarian for medical care. The sooner you bring in your cat, the better and more efficiently we can treat the poisoning.
Aloe Vera- The aloe plant is known for its topical healing properties with burns, muscle aches, and other skin irritations. Found around the home and in gardens, this “healing” plant can cause some major issues for your pet if ingested. Aloin is the toxic agent found within the gooey, yellow substance that’s secreted when the aloe leaves are cut. This toxin can cause vomiting, digestive issues, and can turn your dog’s urine red.
Azalea- Ingestion of just a few azalea leaves can irritate your dog’s mouth and cause subsequent vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, azaleas can cause a drop in blood pressure, coma and even death in dogs.
Daffodil- All parts of the daffodil plant are considered poisonous, but the daffodil bulb is the most poisonous to dogs. Eating any part of a daffodil can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, convulsions and a serious drop in blood pressure. In general, any flower bulb (the part that is planted underground) is poisonous to dogs, so it is best to only bring the cut flowers into your house.
Tulip- Although the entire plant of a tulip is poisonous to dogs, just like with other plants, it is the bulb that is the most poisonous to dogs. Eating this part can cause significant oral irritation, excessive drooling and nausea.
Oleander- Its cardiac glycosides, which often occur as flower and fruit pigments, are very toxic to dogs and can cause fatal heart abnormalities, muscle tremors, incoordination, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
Mums- Any plant in the chrysanthemum family is toxic for your dog. The plants contain many compounds that are particularly irritating and dangerous to dogs. Common symptoms of mum ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and incoordination.
Peonies- These beautiful flowering shrubs are often planted in as hardy perennials in backyard gardens. Peonies can cause vomiting, diarrhea and decreased energy when ingested by your dog.
Irises- If your dog eats irises, they may salivate, vomit, drool, have diarrhea or lose energy. This is because the iris contains several compounds that are toxic to dogs. Irises can also cause skin irritation.
Foxglove- These beautiful, tall flowers are paradise for bees and other pollinators but are very dangerous to your pets. Every part of the foxglove plant is toxic to your dog, from the seeds to the leaves and the flowers. It is best to keep these plants away from your dog. Foxglove can cause cardiac failure and even death.
Cardboard Palm- These palms are short and wide with fern-like leaves and a large cone (female) or several smaller cones (males) in the middle. While the entire plant is poisonous, it is the seeds in the cones that are deadly.
Lilies- There are dangerous and benign lilies out there, and it’s important to know the difference. Peace, Peruvian, and Calla lilies contain oxalate crystals that cause minor signs, such as tissue irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and esophagus – this results in minor drooling. The more dangerous, potentially fatal lilies are true lilies, and these include Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies – all of which are highly toxic to cats! Even small ingestions (such as 2-3 petals or leaves) can result in severe kidney failure. If your cat is seen consuming any part of a lily, bring your cat (and the plant) immediately to a veterinarian for medical care. The sooner you bring in your cat, the better and more efficiently we can treat the poisoning.
Aloe Vera- The aloe plant is known for its topical healing properties with burns, muscle aches, and other skin irritations. Found around the home and in gardens, this “healing” plant can cause some major issues for your pet if ingested. Aloin is the toxic agent found within the gooey, yellow substance that’s secreted when the aloe leaves are cut. This toxin can cause vomiting, digestive issues, and can turn your dog’s urine red.
Azalea- Ingestion of just a few azalea leaves can irritate your dog’s mouth and cause subsequent vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, azaleas can cause a drop in blood pressure, coma and even death in dogs.
Daffodil- All parts of the daffodil plant are considered poisonous, but the daffodil bulb is the most poisonous to dogs. Eating any part of a daffodil can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, convulsions and a serious drop in blood pressure. In general, any flower bulb (the part that is planted underground) is poisonous to dogs, so it is best to only bring the cut flowers into your house.
Tulip- Although the entire plant of a tulip is poisonous to dogs, just like with other plants, it is the bulb that is the most poisonous to dogs. Eating this part can cause significant oral irritation, excessive drooling and nausea.
Oleander- Its cardiac glycosides, which often occur as flower and fruit pigments, are very toxic to dogs and can cause fatal heart abnormalities, muscle tremors, incoordination, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
Mums- Any plant in the chrysanthemum family is toxic for your dog. The plants contain many compounds that are particularly irritating and dangerous to dogs. Common symptoms of mum ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and incoordination.
Peonies- These beautiful flowering shrubs are often planted in as hardy perennials in backyard gardens. Peonies can cause vomiting, diarrhea and decreased energy when ingested by your dog.
Irises- If your dog eats irises, they may salivate, vomit, drool, have diarrhea or lose energy. This is because the iris contains several compounds that are toxic to dogs. Irises can also cause skin irritation.
Foxglove- These beautiful, tall flowers are paradise for bees and other pollinators but are very dangerous to your pets. Every part of the foxglove plant is toxic to your dog, from the seeds to the leaves and the flowers. It is best to keep these plants away from your dog. Foxglove can cause cardiac failure and even death.
Toxic Christmas Plants
Amaryllis, Holly, Daffodils, Mistletoe, and Poinsettia.
Deadly Snakes
When dealing with snake bites, it's extremely important to identify the snake at the time of the incident to be able to assist with the proper anti-venom. This could be life or death for your pet. Here is a list of venomous snakes in south west Florida to help you identify in such a case.
Pygmy Rattlesnake
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Cottonmouth " Water snake"
Coral Snake
New Guinea Flatworm
An invasive species from potted plants, it's become endemic to south west Florida. They carry a bacteria that can traverse the skin leading to a bacterial meningoencephalitis ( inflammation of the brain and nervous system).
Cane & Bufo Toad
If your dog comes in contact with one of these toads look out for:
Crying or other vocalization, altered mentation,
pawing at the mouth and/or eyes, profuse drooling of saliva from the mouth,
difficulty with breathing, unsteady movements, seizures, and collapse. Deadly if not caught in time.
Crying or other vocalization, altered mentation,
pawing at the mouth and/or eyes, profuse drooling of saliva from the mouth,
difficulty with breathing, unsteady movements, seizures, and collapse. Deadly if not caught in time.
Weather Hazards
Here are some important safety tips for those very hot & cold days.
