Spring Holiday Plants and Pets
In spring, many favorite flowers are available as potted plants or cut flowers. You may wonder which of these cheerful blooms are safe to enjoy around four-footed family members. Here is a list of some favorite spring flowers that should be separated from pet cats and dogs. (For information pertaining to winter holiday plants, see "Holiday Plants and Pets.")
Lilies
If your pets are cats, bewareof Easter lilies (Lilium longiflorum) and their lily family (Liliaceae). All parts of lily plants are extremely toxic to cats, potentially causing kidney failure. Even plants that seem out of reach can shed pollen that a cat may encounter. In addition to Easter lilies, some common names of plants in the lily family are: stargazer lilies, tiger lilies, and Asiatic lilies. Lilies are not poisonous to dogs, but ingesting lily parts may cause discomfort.
Keep in mind that some plants that are called lilies are not true lilies (such as lily of the valley (Convallaria spp., family Asparagaceae) or calla lilies (Zantedeschia spp., family Araceae). These contain different toxic chemicals that affect both dogs and cats. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp., family Asphodelaceae) are toxic to cats. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any part of any "lily," contact your veterinarian immediately.
A plant identification app or a plant identification social media group can help identify plants that are in the lily and other families.
Spring Bulbs
Favorite spring flowers that are forced to bloom indoors should all be kept away from pets if you think they may be tempted to take a nibble. The bulb contains the highest concentration of toxins.
Crocus (Crocus spp.) – Spring-blooming crocus can cause intestinal upset if consumed by pets; fall-blooming crocus (Colchicum autumnale) can cause graver effects, such as liver, kidney, and bone marrow damage. Fortunately, fall-blooming crocus is not a popular indoor plant.
Daffodil (Narcissus spp.) – Also commonly called narcissus, consuming parts of daffodils can cause gastrointestinal symptoms in cats and dogs. Consuming high amounts can also cause seizures.
Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) – In addition to symptoms similar to those caused by consuming daffodils, toxins in hyacinths can cause depression and tremors.
Tulip (Tulipa spp.) – Consuming parts of tulips can cause drooling, diarrhea, and vomiting in pets.
Shamrocks
The houseplants available for purchase as "shamrocks" are not in the clover family, as were the original Irish shamrocks. Because of its three-part leaves, the plant commonly known as oxalis (Oxalis triangularis) plays the role of shamrock in the nursery trade. If a pet decided to brave the sour taste caused by oxalic acid and nibble on a "shamrock," they might exhibit salivation and tremors and, more rarely, signs of kidney failure.
Azaleas
Although primarily a landscape shrub, small azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) are available as container-grown spring plants because of their fluffy blooms in shades of white and pink. The adverse effects of azalea consumption in cats and dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and cardiac failure.
If your pet consumes any substance that is not their usual food and appears ill, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control's 24-hour emergency poison hotline at (888) 426-4435.
