Lawns, Toxic Plants, and Outdoor Chemicals

Herbicides (weed killers), insecticides, rodent poison, and slug and snail bait are some of the toxic chemicals used outdoors that may be harmful to your pet. Each summer, insecticides and herbicides poison thousands of pets. When using these chemicals, follow the manufacturer's directions carefully. Make sure that all receptacles and containers are thoroughly washed and out of reach of your pet. Runoff or puddles created from spraying these products should be thoroughly diluted. Do not allow pets in the yard while spraying these products and keep them out of the yard for 3-4 days afterwards. Often, pets walk on surfaces covered with herbicides and become intoxicated after cleaning or licking their paws.
 
 
Toxic Plants
 
Many plants are toxic to pets. These plants must be ingested in order to cause poisoning. Included below is a partial list of common poisonous plants. These plants are listed in alphabetical order:
 
Azalea 
Braken Fern 
Bleeding Heart 
Boxwood 
Castor Bean 
Crocus 
Crown of Thorns 
Delphinium 
Dutchman's Breeches 
English Holly 
English Ivy 
Foxglove 
Horse Chestnut 
Hyacinth 
Hydrangea 
Iris 
Jack in the Pulpit 
Jerusalem Cherry 
Jimsonweed 
Larkspur 
Lilly-of-the-Valley 
Laurel 
Locust 
Lupine 
Mayapple 
Nightshade 
Oleander 
Poison Ivy 
Red Oak 
Rhododendron 
Star of Bethlehem 
White Snake Root 
Yellow Jasmine 
Yew
 
Poison oak and poison ivy can cause a skin irritation on your pet. More often though, the problem is when your pet passes it to you. Their fur becomes a source of the poison oak or poison ivy. You develop symptoms after contact with your pet.