With March just around the corner, our outdoor spaces are beginning to bloom with colour as spring flowers emerge.
The arrival of longer days and warmer weather will have dog owners heading into the great outdoors for long walks with their pooch - but there are some springtime plants that they need to keep their eyes peeled for. While they may look beautiful, there are unfortunately several flowers which sprout up in the spring that are toxic to dogs.
While side-effects can range from mild stomach upsets to more serious consequences, no dog owner wants to see their pooch in any degree of pain and it's worth knowing which plants should be steered clear of. Here are the spring plants which experts say are best avoided to stop your pup snaffling them up, and what to do if you suspect your dog may have eaten something they shouldn't.
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Here are four of the most common spring bulb plants that will soon be popping up and how much harm they are likely to do to your dog if eaten, as listed by the Kennel Club:
Daffodils
Whether they're placed in vases, planted in gardens or growing wild alongside walking paths or in woodland, you and your dog are very likely to come across hosts of golden daffodils as spring approaches. But this popular flower is the main one for pet owners to watch out for, as the bulbs can cause some very serious side effects if eaten.
"Effects from poisoning can include vomiting, stomach upset and salivation, but can escalate to dogs appearing sleepy, wobbly on their legs, or collapsing. In more serious cases fits and changes to heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure," the Kennel Club explains. As well as the bulbs, dogs can also fall ill from eating daffodil flowers or even drinking water from a vase containing daffodils.
Tulips
Another of the most popular springtime plants, serious cases of poisoning from tulips in dogs are thankfully rare, but these bulbs are nevertheless still toxic to dogs and can cause some unpleasant side effects. The Kennel Club explains: "The toxins found in this plant cause irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract and usually only result in drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea."
Spring Crocuses
Spring crocuses similarly, while toxic to dogs, are considered to be of low toxicity and are likely to cause little more than a mild stomach upset if your dog eats them. However, the same can not be said for the autumn crocus, which can lead to severe kidney and liver problems that could even prove fatal - so pet owners should watch out for these when autumn rolls around.
Bluebells
All parts of the bluebell, including the bulb, flowers and leaves, contain a toxin that can affect the heart and cause it to beat very quickly or slowly - but it's rare for dogs to eat enough of the plant to cause these most worrying effects, the Kennel Club says. It explains: "Within a few hours of eating, dogs may be sick, have stomach pains or can have an upset stomach, which may contain streaks of blood."
Other spring plants to look out for
The Blue Cross also includes azalea, rhododendron and the roots of cyclamen plants on its list of springtime plants that can be "potentially fatal" to dogs, and urges owners to avoid them. The charity adds that buttercups and sweet peas can also cause issues for your pet if eaten.
Meanwhile, the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), a 24-hour emergency service pet owners can contact for information and advice, adds hyacinths and primrose to the list of toxic spring bulbs, but adds that these are considered to be of low toxicity and are likely to cause anything more serious than "mild gastrointestinal upset" if eaten.
However, the service does warn owners to be aware of any flowers brought into their home for Mother's Day. It points out: "Some flowers used in bouquets, particularly lilies, are a risk to pets."
What to do if you think your dog has been poisoned
The RSPCA advises owners to contact their vet immediately if they suspect their dog has been poisoned even if they are not showing symptoms, informing the vet of when, where and how it happened as well as bringing a sample of the plant along to the vet if possible. The charity warns never to attempt to make your dog be sick, as this is only likely to end up making the situation worse.
There are a number of things you can do as a dog owner to help avoid a nasty case of poisoning, the charity says, including making sure that their exercise areas - such as your garden - are free from plants which could cause them harm, as well as keeping a close eye on where your dog is exploring when out on a walk. Owners should also make sure to watch their pet in the home around houseplants, keeping these and vases of flowers out of reach and making sure they pick up any dropped leaves and petals before their pooch decides to have them as a snack.
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