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Do you know which one of these flowers is not toxic?
Flowers are a beautiful way to decorate our yard space and our homes, but did you know that some of the most popular varieties of flowers can also be the most toxic. There are warnings printed on all kinds of products from the plastic bags we bring home from the grocery store to the tobacco products some of us still use. When you go to the nursery or the home improvement store to buy plants, they usually have a tag that shows what zone they grow best in and how much sun they need, but what it doesn’t tell you is the toxicity of the plant or what parts are dangerous if ingested.
All types and parts of lilies are toxic. Easter lilies are particularly toxic and should never be brought into a house with young animals, rabbits, or any animal that has a habit of chewing on plants. Many house plants are also toxic to our pets. If it’s a deer-resistant plant, you can bet it’s toxic. Toxic plants do not always kill, but they do cause sickness. . Plants can be toxic for various reasons. Foxglove(digitalis) is used to make heart medication for people. It can cause tachycardia in animals. Most toxic plants will affect not only the digestive system but also do damage to the liver or kidneys. Common signs of toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fainting, seizures, and collapse can also be very serious signs of toxicity.
If you think your cat, dog, rabbit, or bird has ingested a toxic plant here is a link to the animal poison control hotline.
Many beautiful flowers are edible. Marigolds, roses, lavender, hibiscus, and squash blossoms are just a few. Make sure that they are pesticide-free.
15 Non-Toxic Houseplants That Are Safe for Kids & Pets - Ted Lare - Design & Build (tedsgardens.com)
The lists below are by no means complete, but they are some of the plants that you are most likely to see at a nursery or home improvement store. I have not had much luck with mail-order plants, but if you decide to go that route please look up the plants before you buy if they are not already on a safe list.
Photo by Alex Bargain from Pexels
Plants Toxic to cats
Many of the plants listed below overlap with the lists for cat toxic plants. Here are a couple of lists for dog-only owners.
Photo by Valeria Boltneva from Pexels
Plants Toxic to dogs
Rabbits can be tricky. Some of the foods mentioned in other articles as safe to eat can also cause health problems if rabbits eat too much. If you decide to bring plants into your home, make sure that they are out of reach of your bunny, even if you think they are safe for him to eat. Too much of a good thing can hurt.
Plants toxic to rabbits
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