Top 3 Native Tennessee Plants That Are Toxic to Pets
March is Pet Poison Prevention Month. This post is part of a short series dedicated to providing dog and cat parents with helpful tips to make their homes safe for their beloved friends.
Right around March, the gardening season in Tennessee kicks off into high gear every year. Consumers flock to home improvement stores and garden centers to welcome nature into their homes and spice up their surroundings.
Pet owners, however, need to be extra careful not to inadvertently invite a dangerous gift from nature that may look extra charming in this year's new garden but could cause painful and costly visits to the vet.
#1 VIRGINIA BLUEBELL
Beautiful and dangerous, these bell-shaped flowers contain toxic glycosides that are not only poisonous to dogs and cats but also to humans and cattle. Be especially careful when outdoors, as most photographers use bluebells as background in their photo shoots.
2 WILD COLUMBINE
This stunning garden plant is a favorite among flower enthusiasts because of its colorful display of bright red and yellow colors in full bloom. Its shape also attracts much-liked garden visitors like butterflies and hummingbirds. However, all parts, particularly the roots and seeds of this popular Tennessee wildflower, contain cardiogenic toxins that are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. These toxins are known to cause heart palpitations and extreme tummy aches (gastroenteritis).
3 WINTERBERRY
Sometimes, nature can't resist playing games with all of us since pets find it very hard to resist these ball-shaped wonders easily found throughout the Tennessee landscape. Although its toxicity is lower than the others on this list, winterberry leaves and berries can still cause gastrointestinal complications in dogs, cats, and even horses. While some may consider symptoms to be on the milder side, we're sure your pet will thank you for allowing not even a shroud of possibility to experience any vomiting or diarrhea.
It is possible to enjoy the outdoors safely if you know what to look for when heading out for a walk or a hike. Always keep a close eye on your pet and seek veterinary help immediately if you suspect your dog or cat has ingested something that might be toxic and/or begins to display symptoms of poisoning after being out in nature.
