Billy Oh's Top 10 Plants You Need To Be Able To Identify To Make Sure Your Pet Safe

Billy Oh advise is that while “A plant can be absolutely beautiful and fragrant, but also very dangerous for a beloved cat or dog. So when you’re deciding which plants to put in your garden, or even a pot in the house, do check first to make sure it isn’t toxic to your pets. Especially as some of the more exotic plants can often get missed due to no one expecting them to be in the garden!

1. Lilies

Every part of a lily is toxic to cats (even one leaf or petal can make them very ill) and some kinds are poisonous to dogs as well. Even the pollen can cause heath issues. 

2. Tulips

They’re a member of the lily family, so it’s not surprising that they are also toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The toxins tulipalin A and tulipalin B are found within tulip bulbs, but if you think your pet has eaten any part of the plant, seek veterinary assistance immediately.

 3. Azaleas

A type of rhododendron, azaleas contain a very poisonous substance called grayanotoxin, which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and even blindness and even in some cases comas in cats and dogs.

 4. Castor Beans

Ricin is a well-known poison, and it’s present in the bean of the castor oil plant – although every part of the plant is toxic. Even tiny amounts can poison a cat or a dog and cause twitching, tremours, seizures, comas or death in a small amount of cases. 



5. Foxtails

Foxtails are spikelets that carry the seeds of the foxtail grass. They are barbed and meant to burrow into the ground to germinate – but this also means they could penetrate an animal’s body instead and damage internal organs. The ears are especially vulnerable.

 It’s pretty much impossible to avoid this common weed, but you can check your pet’s body (especially entry points like the ears, mouth and eyes) frequently, especially after a walk, and uproot – not mow – any foxtails you see in the garden. As often this would simply spread the seeds you are trying to get rid of and potential allow more to grow back. 

6. Heavenly Bamboo

Also known as sacred bamboo or the Nandina plant, this produces red berries that are very pretty, but dangerous. They contain cyanogenic glycosides, which release hydrogen cyanide when chewed.

7. Autumn Crocus

Not to be confused with the spring crocus (which can still cause vomiting and diarrhoea), all parts of this plant are toxic. It can cause liver and kidney damage, seizures and death. 

 8.Sago Palm

These ornamental houseplants are very poisonous to cats and dogs something that if often surprises owners due to their 'houseplant' status. The whole of the plant is dangerous, but the nuts are the worst. If you think your pet may have ingested some, take it to a vet immediately. 

9. Potatoes

Unripe, green or raw potatoes are dangerous to dogs, and the leaves are toxic too. If you must grow potatoes, make sure your pets can’t get at them.

10. Tomatoes

The leaves are toxic to cats and dogs, so either avoid growing them, or make sure that animals can’t get to them with wider netting as you will quickly learn that man kinds four legged friends love to go where they shouldn't