Harmful plant species grown in your garden that could poison your pet

With spring in full flow and homeowners preparing to inject some life into their gardens, it’s important to consider what plants and flowers you are growing if you own cats, dogs, rabbits or guinea pigs.

While a beautiful garden is lovely to look at, a pet’s freedom to roam, rest and play safely can be compromised if a particular species is in bloom. 

Some species of plants can be dangerous for pets to be around and may cause them to become violently ill – in severe cases, kidney failure and even death can occur should pets consume or come into contact with them. 

Before making any new purchases, it’s worth doing some research on the plants you wish to grow – and even then it’s important to still keep an eye on your pets.

Experts at Gardener’s World have highlighted some of the common flora and fauna that can cause a range of harmful symptoms to your four-legged friends. 

Find out the plants that can be dangerous to pets in FEMAIL’s guide below: 

Monkshood

Monkshood (or aconitum napellus) is a beautiful species that grows in hues of violet-blue – but all parts of raw monkshood plants are extremely poisonous to animals.

Symptoms of poisoning include: Nausea, vomiting, seizures, skin irritation and increased heart rate. Can also be fatal.

The plant is dangerous to cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Lily of the Valley 

Lily of the Valley (convallaria majalis) is woodland flowering plant with sweetly scented, bell-shaped white flowers that bloom is spring – with all parts having moderate to severe toxicity.

Symptoms of poisoning include: Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting. 

They especially pose a risk to dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs.

Lilies

Lilies are often distinguished by their large, clustered, prominent flowers and leafy stems – but all parts of the plant has moderate to severe toxicity, especially to cats.

Symptoms of poisoning include: drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, drop in blood pressure, respiratory problems and  kidney damage. 

Although they pose more of a risk to felines, Lilies can also be harmful to dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits. 

Ivy 

Hedera – commonly called Ivy – is a species of evergreen climbing or ground-creeping woody plant, which means the foliage can be particularly toxic to pets at any point of the year. 

Symptoms of poisoning include: Serious stomach upset, and can be fatal in more serious cases.

The plant is dangerous to dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs.  

Foxgloves

Digitalis – or foxgloves – can grown up to two metres tall and produces a spike of purple-pink flowers between June and September – and all parts are toxic to pets.

Symptoms of poisoning include: Nausea, vomiting, cardiac problems, kidney damage, and can be fatal. 

Dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits avoid coming into contact with these plants.  

Daphne

Daphne odora are a species of evergreen shrubs with pale-pink, usually fragrant four-lobed flowers, often followed by colourful berries.

Although all parts can be poisonous to pets, the berries are particularly toxic to cats and dogs. 

Symptoms of poisoning include: Stomach upset, kidney damage and dermatitis.

Castor Oil plant

Castor Oil (ricinus communis) plants, is an erect, branching shrub that reaches 1.5 metres when grown as an annual, with five to twelve-lobed glossy, green, red or bronze leaves.

According to Wisconsin Horticulture, the toxin in castor seeds is one of the deadliest natural poisons – estimated as 6,000 times more poisonous than cyanide.

Symptoms of poisoning include: Burning of the mouth, kidney failure, diarrhoea, convulsions, and may prove fatal. 

The plant poses a danger to dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits.  

Wisteria 

Wisteria are stunning purple-hued plants that are extremely vigorous climbers and can be long-lived.

The seeds and pods of Wisteria are parts that can be particularly poisonous to dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Symptoms of poisoning include: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, dehydration and collapse. 

Bulbs

All parts of plants grown from bulbs can be toxic if ingested by pets, including: daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, iris, bluebells, crocus, amaryllis, gladiola, alliums and lilies. 

Symptoms of poisoning include: respiratory ailments and kidney failure – and some may be fatal.

Bulbs should be avoided at all costs by dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits. 

If you have any doubts about anything in your garden and how your pet may react to it, or if you suspect your pet may be suffering from the above symptoms, don’t hesitate to get in contact with your vet. 

Meanwhile, these are the popular indoor plants that are deadly to pets you can identify and remove from your home.

Five of the most popular indoor plants including the peace lily and fiddle leaf fig are highly toxic for cats and dogs.

The experts at The Good Plant Co revealed to Daily Mail Australia the five deadliest popular houseplants and what pet lovers could buy instead.