Toxic plants for dogs; watch out!

What happens in case of poisoning?

Every plant has its own type of toxin that protects it, for example, against being bitten by an animal. When a dog has eaten a poisonous plant, these toxins enter your pet's bloodstream and can cause serious damage to the organs. The symptoms caused by poisonous plants vary depending on the plant and also depend on the amount your dog has ingested. Often, symptoms appear soon after ingesting the poisonous plant. The symptoms that most commonly occur and are associated with plant poisoning are:

• Stomach and intestinal problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea;
• Heart palpitations;
• Cramps, paralysis, and muscle tremors;
• Shortness of breath;
• Skin and coat irritations.

First aid for poisoning, what should you do?

Has your dog eaten a poisonous plant or do you suspect it has? Then it is important to act quickly, even if no signs of poisoning are yet visible. Always contact the veterinarian and, if possible, bring the plant in question or take a photo of it so the vet can identify the type of toxin and treat the poisoning effectively.

How do you prevent your dog from eating plants?

Besides dogs being curious about plants, boredom is also a cause for eating plants. Therefore, always make sure your dog gets enough physical exercise and is mentally challenged enough. A fun way to mentally challenge your dog is through brain games. You can read more about what brain games involve in this blog.

Besides physical exercise and mental challenges, it is also important that your dog can regularly satisfy its chewing needs. Chewing helps against boredom, reduces stress, and is good for dental health. Check out the full range of natural chew treats from Riverwood.

If your dog's diet consists of homemade meals or fresh meat, it may lack essential vitamins or minerals. Make sure your dog's diet is always complete and contains all the daily recommended amounts of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Check out the full range of dog food from Riverwood.

If none of the above apply and your dog still shows interest in eating plants during walks, you can solve this with training. Make it clear to your dog that plants are not food and distract him with treats. Training takes time, but eventually your dog will understand to leave plants alone, reducing the chance of eating (poisonous) plants.

Many dogs already enjoy Riverwood every day. Would you also like your dog to savor our delicious foods and are you curious which variant would suit your dog best? Answer here a few questions and order a budget-friendly trial pack right away.