Poisonous Plants and Fruits that Can Kill Your Pet

The Veterinary Pet Insurance Company recently released the updated list of the top ten poisonous plants, vegetables, and fruits that are poisonous to your pets.

Top Ten Pet Poisons:
1) Grapes and Raisins - These are the number one pet killer, causes kidney failure

2) Mushrooms - not all mushrooms are poisonous. Watch for vomiting, loose stools, excessive drooling, tender abdomen, and seizures

3) Marijuana - symptoms appear within a half hour to an hour and a half. Be aware of lack of coordination, dilated pupils, slow heart rate, incontinence

4) Lily - Tiger Lily, Day Lily, Easter Lily, Glory Lily, Rubrum: any of these cause renal failure

5) Walnuts - causes shaking, disorientation, and seizures

6) Onion - The thiosulphate in onions causes anemia, bursting red blood cells, vomiting, and gasping.

7) Sago Palm - Symptoms include: diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, depression, liver failure and seizures.

8) Macadamia Nut - causes macadamia nut toxicosis which includes muscle spasms, fever, depression, racing heart, lack of coordination, and inability to stay erect.

9) Azalea Plant - symptoms include: lethargy, drooling, vomiting, coma, and death.

10) Hydrangea Plant - Watch for weight loss, elevated heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

This is by no means the only poisons to watch for as a pet owner. This list is the top ten killers of pets around the world today. Most of these plants, fruits, and vegetables are everyday items that a pet comes into contact with on a regular basis. Pet owners need to be aware of the dangers lurking in their own homes and backyards. Puppies are especially susceptible to these toxins as they are always chewing, and ingesting foreign substances.

Vet Info has an extensive list of toxins to watch for and the symptoms and effects of these pet poisons. They range anywhere from mild toxicity to severe poisons which can cause death in a pet. As a precaution, pet owners can make a copy of these poisons and post them in a spot that is easily available. If a pet exhibits any of the symptoms listed above, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Braden Run Animal Hospital also has an extensive list of animal toxins published by the American Animal Hospital Association. It lists poisons that affect the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal system, the respiratory system, the neurological system, and those that cause kidney and organ failure.