These Gardening Items and Oklahoma Plants Are Toxic for Pets

The Oklahoma spring weather is getting warmer and warmer. And as the threat of frost lessens in the Sooner State, Okies are getting their hands dirty in their gardens. Sometimes, they'll have a furry friend to assist! But Oklahoma gardeners should be careful as some gardening items and several plants are toxic to their pets.

If your furry friends spends time outside your home or near your garden, you'll want to avoid the following gardening items and flowers to protect your pets. KOCO in Oklahoma City talked to local vet, BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, about the toxic gardening items and flowers that Oklahomans should keep out of their gardens for their pet's safety.

Gardening Items to Avoid

According to the article, cocoa mulch and commercial and natural fertilizer are toxic for dogs. Cocoa mulch can make dogs sick if ingested, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, weakness, seizures or death. Safer alternatives include dirt, stones and mulch from shredded pine, cedar or hemlock bark.

Commercial fertilizer sprinkled on your lawns can be a danger to dogs if they are exposed to them after running around outside. Even if consumed in small amounts, issues that can occur include drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, tremors and seizures.

As for organic/natural fertilizer, these can be unhealthy for your dog's digestive system. Organic/natural fertilizers often contains "meal" leftovers from the farming industries, which can include bone meal, blood meal, feather meal and fish meal.

Toxic Plants and Flowers for Pets

As Oklahomans begin to pick out flowers for their garden beds, they'll want to keep their pet in mind. If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors in close proximity to your garden, you'll want to avoid the following plants and flowers to keep them safe and healthy.

Lilies - Toxic to Cats

Although beautiful, lilies are toxic to cats. If any part of the lily is ingested, even a grain of pollen, by a cat, it can cause kidney failure.

Daffodils - Toxic to Dogs

Daffodils are commonly found in Oklahoma gardens, but they are highly toxic to dogs. If ingested, your dog may experience vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, convulsions and possibly a drop in blood pressure.

Tulips - Toxic to Dogs

Oklahomans love tulips! But they're a danger to dogs. Tulips contains toxins that can make a dog sick, and the bulb is the most toxic part. If ingested, your dog could experience excessive drooling, nausea and irritation in the mouth.

Azaleas - Toxic to Dogs

Oklahomans with dogs may want to avoid the state's annual Azaleas Festival. Azaleas can be fatal if ingested by dogs - symptoms may include digestive problems like vomiting and diarrhea, and possibly low blood pressure.

Autumn Crocus - Toxic to Dogs

If there was ever a spicy plant for dogs, the autumn crocus is it! As a member of the lily family, the autumn crocus can cause a burning feeling in a dog's mouth. The bulbs are highly toxic for dogs, and can cause digestive distress, liver and kidney damage and heart complications.

Oleander - Toxic to Dogs

Oleander is another fatal plant to your dog. If consumed, it can cause muscle tremor, vomiting and blood diarrhea.

Amaryllis - Toxic to Dogs

Toxins from an amaryllis can cause vomiting in dogs, along with depression, excessive drooling, anorexia and tremors.

Sago Palm - Toxic to Dogs

If you're into big, green leafy plants, you'll want to avoid the sago palm if you have a dog. Kept indoors or outdoors, the sago palm is highly toxic to dogs, and can cause bloody vomiting, bleeding disorders, diarrhea, liver failure and death.

Mushrooms - Toxic to Dogs

You can find mushrooms popping up out of the ground in Oklahoma! They're mostly harmless, but can be dangerous or fatal if ingested by your dog. Dangerous mushrooms include the Amantia family of mushrooms, which is commonly found and has a fishy odor - it's often referred to as the "death cap." Others include mushrooms in the Lepiota and Galerina families.