What Spring Plants Are Poisonous to Dogs?

As winter begins to thaw and the days get a little lighter and brighter, spring is in the air! But before you head out for a woodland walk with your dog or fill your home with spring flowers, it’s a good idea to know which popular spring plants and flowers are toxic to our four-legged friends.  

From sunshine yellow daffodils to rainbows of tulips and waves of violet bluebells, when the first spring flowers pop up in technicolour, it’s a gorgeous sight to see.

However, the toxicity in many spring flowers found across the UK can make your dog ill. To ensure you and your pup enjoy the joys of spring risk-free, we’ve listed popular spring flowers to watch out for.  

While most dogs will avoid nibbling on dangerous plants, some curious canines and young puppies will sniff, lick, and eat anything that piques their interest, putting them more at risk of consuming toxic plants.

So, which common plants and flowers are dangerous to dogs?  

Spring plants toxic to dogs

From the bulb to the flower to the flowerpot water, these spring flowers all contain toxic substances that can result in your pup becoming very poorly if ingested.  

Some of the most popular spring plants and flowers to watch out for include:

Tulips  

Tulips are a sure sign of spring, but these beautiful blooms are highly toxic to our four-legged friends, and their bulbs are particularly poisonous to pups. Be sure your dog doesn’t chomp on any tulips or drink their flowerpot water either.

Symptoms of tulip poisoning can include vomiting, drooling and diarrhoea.

Daffodils

These yellow flowers may look cheerful, but daffodils are poisonous to dogs if they eat the bulbs, flowers, or drink the water from a vase that’s had daffodils inside. It’s important that your dog is unable to dig up daffodils, as the bulbs are where the toxins are concentrated, making them the most poisonous part of the plant.

Symptoms of daffodil poisoning can include vomiting, upset stomach, sleepiness and your dog being wobbly on their feet. There is a chance your dog may also have fits.

Crocuses

There are two types of crocuses, one which blooms in autumn and the other which blooms in spring, however both are toxic.

If consumed, the spring crocus can result in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, and salivating. On the other hand, the autumn crocus is severely toxic for pets and in worst cases can cause organ failure if eaten.  

Bluebells

As bluebells grow close to the ground, it’s important to watch your dog closely on your next woodland walk. All parts of the bluebell are poisonous to dogs, and symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and disorientation.

Snowdrops  

These delicate, bell-shaped flowers may look sweet, but they can cause a lot of damage to your dog if either the flower or the bulb are consumed.

Symptoms of snowdrop poisoning can include vomiting and diarrhoea.

Lily of the Valley

Most lilies (including the calla lily, peace lily and prairie lily) are toxic to our four-legged friends if consumed.

Symptoms of lily poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain.

Azaleas

Azaleas in full bloom are a beautiful sight, but they can cause nausea, vomiting and your pup may struggle for breath if they eat these flowers.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths will make your pooch poorly if consumed, especially if they eat a large amount of the plant bulb as this can affect your dog’s heart rate and respiration.

Other symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhoea, and drooling.

What to do if you suspect your dog has been poisoned  

Please remember that while we’ve listed some of the most common spring flowers that are dangerous for dogs, this isn’t a complete list. There are lots of plants that haven’t been identified as toxic, but they could still be dangerous.

Time is of the essence, so if you’ve seen your dog eating something they shouldn’t, don’t wait until they start to show symptoms until you seek help. If you suspect your dog has been poisoned, it’s important to contact your vet straight away. 

It’s also a good idea to make a note of the following:

  • What your dog has eaten

  • How much they’ve consumed

  • When they ate or drank

  • The symptoms they’ve been experiencing

The sooner your dog is dog is treated, the likelier they are to have a good recovery.

And, to help keep your dog safe, be sure to keep houseplants and flowers out of paws reach and be vigilant of your pup (and what they’re eating) when they’re in the garden or you’re out walking together.  

With Easter on the way, there’s no better time to brush up on which Easter treats are dangerous for dogs too!

Other spring hazards to avoid:  

It’s not just flowers that can cause issues for your dog during the spring, here are some more garden and outdoor dangers to avoid:  

Fungi and mushrooms

While these are mostly seen in autumn, fungi and mushrooms are still around during the spring and while not all are poisonous, some can be lethal, so it’s best to swerve your pup away from all wild fungi.

Grass seeds

Planning on laying your own lawn? Be careful of your dog around grass seed – they can get stuck in your dog’s skin, paws and ears and cause irritation and infection, which can result in serious problems.  

Compost and grass clippings 

Be sure to keep garden waste in a secure bin as they can contain dangerous bacteria and make your dog unwell.

Pesticides, weed killer and fertilisers

Avoid spraying any areas your dog likes to visit as these products usually contain products which are toxic to dogs. If necessary, you could put up a barrier to keep your pup away from the sprayed area.

Some examples of dog friendly flowers

Don’t worry, you can still have a beautiful garden if you have a dog! Many spring plants aren’t a threat to our furry friends, including:

  • Petunias

  • Orchids

  • Marigolds

  • Pansies

  • Roses (just be careful of their thorns)

Flower Power at Yappy

Delight in the joys of spring with colourful gifts inspired by all things outdoors. From vibrant notebooks and planners to bloomin’ lovely bandanas for your dog and even a metal sign for the every dog dad’s shed, we’ve got a whole bunch of amazing gifts for you to check out.

New to Yappy? We specialise in pet gifts that are pawfectly personalised especially for your four-legged friends.

To get started, browse our range of gifts and, when you’re ready, add your dog. Then, sit back and we’ll personalise all of our products to suit your pup. Add multiple dogs and join our pack today!

 

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