Spring has eventually sprung with lots of gorgeous flowers beginning to bloom in our gardens and parks.
And with the weather a little better and the temperatures increasing, we are all spending a bit more time outdoors with our family, friends and our dogs. However, it is important to be careful as there are some plants that could prove poisonous - and even deadly - to our furry friends.
Experts at natural pet food specialists have highlighted the flowers and greenery that could lead to serious health problems if eaten by our beloved dogs. To help spread the word and allow owners to be mindful, pet nutritionist at Naturo Victoria Kerr has picked out five spring plants that can be fatal if eaten.
5 spring plants that are dangerous to dog
Daffodils
Despite being a delightful sign of spring, daffodils can actually be poisonous to dogs.
The flowers or bulbs, if consumed in large amounts, can be dangerous as this is where the toxins are concentrated.
Victoria said: “You will be able to spot if your dog has sneakily eaten a daffodil as they will display symptoms linked to vomiting and will often be a bit wobbly and sleepy.”
Tulips
The colourful flowers pop up lots of places at this time of year. But they are actually considered harmful to both cats and dogs.
All parts of the plant are toxic, but similar to daffodils, the most dangerous par is the bulb. Consuming this can cause your dog to vomit, drool and have diarrhoea.
Victoria said: “There are a few tricks you can try to stop dogs eating tulips, spray the harmful plants with a mixture of water and lemon juice, they can’t stand the smell of citrus so will avoid chewing your plants.”
Bluebells
These flowers contain a toxin that is dangerous to dogs which can cause an upset stomach if consumed. Your dogs excrement may also obtain streaks of blood if they have eaten bluebells.
Victoria said: “You often see bluebells in woodland areas so when walking your dog remember to keep an eye out to make sure they aren’t eating anything they shouldn’t, as this can cause an irregular heartbeat.”
Rhododendrons
These are one of the more dangerous of plants blooming in spring.
Rhododendrons or azalea are brightly coloured but despite being pretty they are highly poisonous to dogs.
Victoria added: “All parts of this plant can lead to health problems and even eating small amounts can make pets very ill. Rhododendron has the presence of a toxin called grayanotoxin and this is what makes it so unsafe to dogs.”
Foxgloves
Foxgloves are harmful to both dogs and cats and can even be harmful to humans. The flowers contain natural poison, cardiac glycosides, that can affect the heart.
The severity of reaction depends on the amount ingested but symptoms include nausea, drooling and vomiting.
Victoria said: “If you are worried about your pup chewing on foxgloves, the best course of action is to remove it from your garden for peace of mind. For those with adventurous dogs it is best to get rid of any toxic flowers or plants around the home.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.
