The Dirt On Plants

Warmer weather makes many of us yearn to start working in the garden. Pet owners should know that some plants and flowers that are delightful to humans are harmful to cats and dogs.

Poisonous plants

Lilies of all types - Easter lilies, Asian lilies, day lilies, stargazer lilies - are extremely toxic to cats. Ingesting even a small amount can lead to kidney failure and death. (No toxic reaction has been demonstrated in dogs.) All parts of the lily plant are toxic. The University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center handles three to five cat poisonings due to lilies each year, according to its website, www.cvm.umn.edu.

Lily of the valley, while not actually a member of the lily family, can also be poisonous to cats. Flowering bulbs, including tulips, narcissus, daffodils and crocus, can cause convulsions and heart arrhythmias in both cats and dogs.

Castor beans are the source of the poison ricin. In 1978, a Bulgarian journalist was assassinated by being jabbed with a ricin-tipped umbrella. Even a tiny dose will be lethal to a cat, dog or a small child. This is a plant that's best avoided if you own pets or live in a neighborhood where animals and children roam.

The cyclamen is toxic, with the highest concentration of poisons in the roots. Gastrointestinal problems, severe vomiting and occasional fatalities can result from ingestion.

For a list of poisonous plants, visit the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) website: www.hsus.org/pets.

One group of plants not on the HSUS list is allium, which includes not only flowering garden plants but also such vegetable garden staples as onion, chives and garlic. The disulfides in these plants can cause gastrointestinal problems and even do damage to red blood cells. Cats are more susceptible to the toxins - but dogs are more likely to consume vast quantities of onions or garlic. Grapes and raisins fall into the allium family as well.

One final species you should avoid in your backyard garden plot: Cannabis. While ingestion is rarely fatal, the neurological symptoms can last for days, since the active ingredient in marijuana is stored in fat cells.

Landscape with caution

In addition to plants that are harmful when ingested, there are some, like juniper, that may cause dermatitis when your pet comes into contact with the foliage.

When you're planning your gardens and landscaping, be aware that the plants themselves aren't the only things dangerous to your pets. Cocoa mulch, like chocolate, contains theobromine. To a dog, it smells like chocolate, tastes like chocolate and can be toxic like chocolate. The website www.snopes.com tells of a healthy, three-year old Labrador retriever from Minneapolis who died after eating cocoa mulch. The University of Minnesota veterinary center confirmed that "Moose" had cocoa mulch in his stomach and theobromine in his system.

Some websites will advise pet owners to induce vomiting within 30 minutes after their pet consumes a toxic substance. Three percent hydrogen peroxide is effective for cats and dogs. The procedure is risky, though, especially with a distraught owner and convulsing animal. For $35, the Pet Poison Helpline will provide a telephone consultation to tell you the potential risk, initial at-home treatment to undertake and whether a trip to the vet is recommended. The Pet Poison Helpline, which is affiliated with the University of Minnesota Veterinary Center, is staffed round the clock. The number is 800-213-6680.

Laura French is a freelance writer who lives in Roseville with three cats - Gracie, Tennessee Tuxedo and his pal Chumley, and Sofie ,whose breed(s) will forever remain a mystery.

Stargazer Lilly

(Lilium orientalis)

Easter Lily

(Lilium longiflorum)

Day Lily

(Hemerocallis)

Cyclamen