Many of us landscape the backyard and garden without realising we can unintentionally increase the risk of poisoning our companions.

The most commonly used lawn care products are fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. When applied according to package instructions fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides are generally not harmful. Pets are primarily poisoned by contact with concentrated products. This may occur from inappropriate storage, failure to read package instructions, or by intentionally using more product than needed. Dogs are especially good at finding poorly stored containers, chewing them up and drinking the contents. Pet owners should be especially vigilant when using insecticides as these tend to have a higher degree of toxicity. Dogs may be exposed by digging up treated earth, chewing on pellets, or rooting around ant mounds shortly after insecticides are applied.

Snail and slug bait requires a special mention as we see several cases of snail/slug bait toxicity every year. Treatment can be difficult and is not always effective so please be very careful when selecting and using snail bait in your garden. If you suspect your cat or dog has eaten snail bait they require immediate vet attention.

Many pets also have a habit of chewing on plants in the yard, particularly if you have been out in the garden pruning bushes and trees and have left branches and leaves lying around. This is a list of common plants that are dangerous to pets.

Poisonous House Plants
Common Name	Botanical Name	Poisonous Part
Bird of Paradise	Strelizia regirae	Fruit, seeds
Boston Ivy	Parthenocissus quinquefolia	All parts
Caladium	Caladium	All parts
Creeping Charlie	Glecoma hederacea	All parts
Dumbcane	Dieffenbachia	All parts
Emerald Duke	Philodendron hastatum	All parts
Glacier Ivy	Hedera glacier	Leaves, berries
Heartleaf	Philadendron cordatum	All parts
English Ivy	Hedera helix	Leaves, berries
Lily/Liliaceae Family	Lilium	All parts
Marble Queen	Scindapsus aureus	All parts
Majesty	Philodendron hastatum	All parts
Nephthytis, Arrowhead Vine	Synogonium podophyllum albolineatum	All parts
Parlor Ivy	Philodendron cordatum	All parts
Pothos	Scindapsus aureus	All parts
Red Princess	Philodendron hastatum	All parts
Saddleleaf	Philodendron selloum	All parts
Split leaf Philodendron	Monstera deliciosa	All parts
Umbrella Plant	Cyperus alternifolius	All parts
Poisonous Outdoor Plants
Common Name	Botanical Name	Poisonous Part
Apricot	Prunus ameniaca	Stem, bark, seed pits
Azalea	Rhododendron occidentale	All parts
Baneberry	Actaea Spicata	Berries, roots, foliage
Buchberry	Lantana	All parts
Castor Bean	Ricinus communis	Seeds, if chewed
Choke Cherry	Prunus virginica	Leaves, seed pits, stems, bark
Daffodil	Narcissus	Bulbs
Daphne	Daphne mezereum	Berries, bark, leaves
Foxglove	Digitalis purpura	Leaves, seeds, flowers
Hemlock	Conium maculatum	All parts, root and root stalk
Hens-and-Chicks	Lantana	All parts
Hyacinth	Hyacinthus orientalis	Bulbs, leaves, flowers
Hydrangea	Hydrangea macrophylla	Leaves, buds
Jerusalem Cherry	Solanim pseudocapscium	All parts, unripe fruit
Jimson Weed	Datura stramonium	All parts
Jonquil	Narcissus	Bulbs
Lily-of-the-Valley	Convallaria majalis	All parts
Mandrake	Podophyllum peltatum	Roots, foliage, unripe fruit
Mistletoe	Phoradendron Flavescens	Berries
Morning Glory	Ipomoea violaces	Seeds
Nightshade	Atropa belladonna	All parts
Oleander	Norium Oleander	All parts, including dried leaves
Poinsettia	Euphorbia pulcherrima	Leaves, flowers
Pokeweed, Inkberry	Phytolacca americana	All parts
Red Sage	Lantana camara	Green berries
Rhododendron	Rhododendron	All parts
Rhubarb	Rheum raponticum	Leaves
Sweet Pea	Lathyrus odoratus	Seeds, pods
Tulip	Tulipa	Bulbs
Wisteria	Wisteria	Seeds, pods
Yew	Taxus	Needles, bark, seeds