It’s a change of seasons and many of us who garden are salvaging plants to bring indoors. The soil smells warm and the plants look lovely as we pot them, feed them and get them ready for several months of indoor living. But there may be danger lurking among those green leaves. The ASPCA’s garden gurus set the record straight on some of the season’s most poisonous best-sellers and the danger to our pets:

• Although most common in springtime but sold year-round, lilies—including stargazer, tiger and Easter lilies—are pretty on the outside but wreak havoc on the insides of our kitty companions. “Even with very small ingestions, severe kidney damage can result,” according to Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist & ASPCA Senior Vice President.

• English ivy creeps its way into our hearts, but its precious vines contain triterpenoid saponins, which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea if eaten by dogs and cats.

• Two of the hottest plants to hit office cubicles across the country are peace lily and pothos. Both are hearty and tolerate a fair amount of neglect, but for cats and dogs, they can cause irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue (peace lily) and swelling of the GI tract (pothos).

• Oleander, a pretty shrub used as an ornamental plant in warmer regions, can also be cultivated indoors in cooler climes. One of the most poisonous plants to pets and people, it can lead to GI irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

• Don’t forget the

• Although most common in springtime but sold year-round, lilies—including stargazer, tiger and Easter lilies—are pretty on the outside but wreak havoc on the insides of our kitty companions. “Even with very small ingestions, severe kidney damage can result,” according to Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist & ASPCA Senior Vice President.

• English ivy creeps its way into our hearts, but its precious vines contain triterpenoid saponins, which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea if eaten by dogs and cats.

• Two of the hottest plants to hit office cubicles across the country are peace lily and pothos. Both are hearty and tolerate a fair amount of neglect, but for cats and dogs, they can cause irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue (peace lily) and swelling of the GI tract (pothos).

• Oleander, a pretty shrub used as an ornamental plant in warmer regions, can also be cultivated indoors in cooler climes. One of the most poisonous plants to pets and people, it can lead to GI irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

• Don’t forget the Poinsettia which is a holiday favorite as well, keep it well above where any of your puppy pals can reach it, and for those with cats, I would keep it outdoors!

About the Author
Molly Heart is an avid lover of animals – enjoying the time she can spend with her own beloved dog and her two cats. As an animal enthusiast, she has spent several years developing a deep knowledge of nutrition for companion animals. Her background was a godsend during the pet food emergency/recall in 2007-2008. As an herbologist and nutritionist, she consults with numerous clients on natural products and practices for pets. Visit her at http://furmoms.blogspot.com