Every pet owner wants to protect their pet and keep them healthy. Pets are curious, though, and they can get into things that can harm them. Sometimes, pet owners unknowingly have things around their homes that could make their pets seriously ill. Plants are one of the biggest culprits of pet poisonings.
Pets eat the plants or simply rub up against them and become sick as a result.
It is important for pet owners to know which plants are poisonous or dangerous for pets and what those plants look like. One man, Bobby Faithful, noticed his dogs behaving strangely around a plant and became concerned about it. He felt like something was off with the plant, and he wanted to know more about it.
He took photos of it on his next walk and posted them on Facebook. He asked people if they could help identify it. Someone mentioned that it was jimsonweed, also called devil’s snare. Bobby decided to research the plant to learn more about it.
As it turns out, the plant is extremely dangerous for dogs.
It can cause severe reactions and even lead to death if dogs consume large amounts of the plant. Most pets know to stay away from it, but some will eat or chew on it. He was shocked and wanted to make sure he warned other pet owners, as well.
He posted on Facebook:
“For months I’ve been wondering what was growing outside the garage. It can be deadly and make your trip as well, so don’t let your dogs get a hold of it!”
The plant is also dangerous to humans and can cause many of the same symptoms.
According to Wag:
“Jimsonweed is a nightshade plant that can be found from New England to Florida and as far west as Texas. Dogs who have swallowed jimsonweed can exhibit dilated pupils, depression, dry mouth, and seizures. The plant can even be fatal, so it’s incredibly important to be aware.”
If you have this plant growing in your yard, it is a good idea to remove it, especially if you have pets.
Even if your dog doesn’t run loose, it’s a good idea to be wary of this plant. If you think your dog may have consumed the plant, contact a vet as soon as possible.
It can sometimes be hard to tell if your pet has been poisoned or is simply sick with an upset stomach. There are a few things you can watch for that can be taken as symptoms of jimsonweed poisoning. According to the Pet Poison Hotline, those symptoms include:
- Dilated Pupils
- Light Sensitivity
- Restlessness
- Anxiousness
- Elevated Heart Rate
- Mouth Dryness
- Constipation
- Walking Drunk
- Respiratory Failure
If treated quickly, the symptoms can be relieved, and the dog can recover fairly easily.
If left untreated or if the dog has consumed a lot of the plant, the symptoms can become more severe over time, and the dog may not be able to be saved.
While devil’s snare is a dangerous plant, it’s not the only one that may be growing in your yard. There are many other plants that could cause your pet harm. Many of them are nice to look at and do not look dangerous. If you are unsure about a plant, research it. You can also talk to your vet about which plants are dangerous to pets and how to protect your pet from poisoning.
Being a pet owner isn’t easy, and worrying about your pet is just par for the course.
You can save yourself some stress and worry and even save your pet’s life by taking the time to look around your yard and neighborhood and making sure there are no dangerous plants. If you do spot some that can’t be removed, be sure to keep your pet far away from them. Also, spread the word to help make other pet owners aware of these dangerous plants.
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