by Dallas Jennifer Cobb
Just as we do for a new child, we have to make changes for safety’s sake when an animal joins the family. With a new puppy, my friend recently asked my advice, wondering if there were any common houseplants that could make her puppy sick. I’ve compiled an extensive list of plants that could have disastrous effects on her “chewy” little puppy. The list includes herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees that are common to North American gardens, parks, fields, and trails and also harmful to dogs.
For simplicity’s sake, assume that any plant with the word poison in its name is poisonous not just to dogs but to humans as well. As such, know how to identify and avoid poison ivy, poison oak, poison hemlock, and poison sumac. These and other noxious plants, like giant hogweed and wild parsnip (which have become invasive species in much of North America), should all be carefully removed from any area where humans or dogs play.
Herbs That Harm Dogs
Know how to identify these plants so that you can avoid them while on nature walks, in parks, on trails, or in wilderness settings:
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): all parts
Ephedra, ma huang (Ephedra vulgaris): all parts
Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium): all parts
Lambkill, sheep’s laurel (Kalmia angustifolia): leaves
Locoweed, milkvetch (Astragalus): all parts
Marijuana (Cannabis sativa): all parts
Milkweed (Asclepias): all parts
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium): all parts
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): leaves
Sage (Salvia officinalis): leaves
Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia): oil
Tobacco (Nicotiana): all parts
White willow (Salix alba): bark
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): all parts
Yucca (Yucca gigantea): all parts
Careful with Common Flowers
There are many flowers common to gardens that are also toxic, whole or in part, to dogs. If you have any of the following in your garden, familiarize yourself with them and know their dangers: azelea, bluebonnet, buttercup, daffodil, delphinium, hyacinth, hydrangea, impatiens, ivy, iris, jack-in-the-pulpit, lupine, periwinkle, philodendron, poinsettia, poppy, rhododendron, snapdragon, sweet pea, tulip bulbs, trumpet vine, and Venus flytrap.
Suspect Shrubs and Trees
While surveying your surroundings for hazards that could harm your dog be sure to be able to identify the following trees and shrubs that can be toxic to canines: boxwood, cherry, cherry laurel, dogwood, elderberry, mistletoe, mock orange, oak, wild black cherry, wisteria, and yew.
Forbidden Food
It is wise to note which food plants can harm dogs. Most people already know that chocolate is not good for dogs, so now add these to your list: mushrooms and toadstools, peach seeds, pear seeds, potato sprouts and foliage, rhubarb leaves, and tomato foliage and vines.
Puppy Proofing
I can almost hear you thinking, “That is a huge list. How will I ever get rid of all those plants?” The good news is you don’t have to. Adult dogs seem to have an innate sense of what is edible and what isn’t and mostly limit their “grazing” to grass to help with digestion. Puppies, however, don’t show the same discernment and rely more on us to make sure they are safe.
Keeping a dog from harm takes more than just reading a list of what plants are toxic. The real trick is to create good habits in your pet that will enable them to be safe from poisoning. It requires knowing what is toxic and then teaching your dog not to chew on those toxic things. Puppies instinctively chew lots of things as a natural part of their development. Older dogs don’t have as strong a chew instinct as puppies, but chewing is still a normal part of their repertoire. Understanding this will enable you to work with your puppy or dog, teaching them what to avoid when they are chewing.
For these identified plants to be toxic to your dog, the dog has to eat the plant. And for many of these plants it takes a very large volume of consumed plant material to reach toxic levels for dogs. The easiest way to keep your dog safe from the toxic herbs and plants is to simply limit their access to the plants.
Create Helpful Habits
Success comes from repetition and positive reinforcement. Use these techniques with dogs to help them learn to appropriately channel their chewing instincts and create helpful habits.
When puppies are in their “chewy” stage, it makes no sense to try to stop them from chewing, because it is instinctual and in part how they learn. Give them suitable chew toys to enjoy. When their need to chew is directed toward chew toys, they are less likely to chew off-limits items. When you catch them chewing unacceptable stuff, scold them in a stern voice, redirect them to the approved chew toy, and use a praising voice to affirm them. It doesn’t take long to establish good habits that teach your dog what is off limits and what is acceptable.
Dogs love to chew, so be wise in deciding what is okay for them to chew. Never let them chew things that resemble other things you don’t want destroyed. For example, don’t provide a length of hose to chew, because it could easily be confused with your garden hose, and you don’t want that shredded. The same can be said for pieces of leather, old boots and shoes, or anything that resembles a common household item.
Choose toys that are specifically for your dog, and only your dog, like a Kong or Chuckit! ball. When you go outdoors, make regular time to engage in a game of throw and retrieve. You can play with your dog for a while, providing fun and exercise, and as the dog tires, allow them to hold on to the toy and chew it. While they’re engaged, you can garden knowing your dog is safe. Use a playpen to keep puppies contained and nearby while you garden. Set it up near where you are working in your garden so you can keep an eye on the puppies. They get used to being near the garden but not in it.
When you are going off your private property,
leash your dog. It is a great practice to teach your dog not to eat anything from the ground while on a leash.
Healing Herbs for Dogs
With some repetition and positive reinforcement, you will create helpful habits in your dog. You can relax and not worry so much about your pet getting into your garden. By planting a canine-friendly garden, you ensure that you have herbal allies on hand when you need them. Even though these herbs might be beneficial, it is important to not let your dog chew or graze in this bed either.
The best plants to grow are those that you will enjoy as a culinary or healing ingredient, and are good for your dog. I grow the following versatile culinary and healing herbs, which I’ve learned are beneficial for dogs:
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Cilantro (Coriander sativum)
Echinacea, coneflower (Echinacea pupurea)
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Whether you’re an herb lover with a dog, a dog lover with herbs, or a gardener with friends who have dogs, I hope you feel empowered to keep yourself and your canine friends safe from herbs that harm dogs.
Selected Resources
“Plants Potentially Poisonous to Pets.” Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Accessed September 6, 2016. http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/poisonous_plants.pdf.
“Garden Plant Identification.” UMass Extension Greenhouse Crops and Floriculture Program. Accessed September 2016. https://extension.umass.edu/floriculture/plant-identification.
“Herbs That Are Good for Dogs.” Modern Dog. Accessed October 2, 2016. http://moderndogmagazine.com/gallery/herbs-are-good-dogs?.