Pet owners warned: Fall plants may be toxic to cats and dogs

DALLAS (KDAF) — Gardening experts at Grow Eat and Repeat have issued a warning to pet owners this fall about common seasonal plants that could pose serious health risks to cats and dogs.

1 – Pumpkins

With Halloween approaching, many people will be filling their homes with pumpkins, and while fresh pumpkins can be safe and even beneficial for pets when prepared correctly, decorative pumpkins that are left to sit, especially those left outside, can pose a risk to your pets. 

As pumpkins age, they can grow mold that produces substances called tremorgenic mycotoxins, which can cause neurotoxicosis in cats and dogs. This is a dangerous poisoning that affects the nervous system, causing symptoms like tremors, seizures, and disorientation, and can be deadly if not treated.

If you’re decorating with pumpkins this year, ensure they are kept out of reach of your pets, and quickly dispose of any that begin to spoil.

2 – Acorns

As fall begins, oak trees will start dropping their leaves and acorns, which can be potentially dangerous for pets. Acorns and oak leaves contain toxins called tannins, which can cause symptoms ranging from stomach upset to liver or kidney failure if ingested by cats or dogs.

This toxin is present in all parts of the tree, including the bark. However, the risk is particularly high during the fall when leaves and acorns fall to the ground. If your pet eats an acorn, this presents a second risk of choking or intestinal blockage.

To help keep your pets safe this fall, regularly clear your yard of any oak leaves or acorns and supervise them during outdoor playtime when around oak trees.

3 – Fall lilies

Many lily varieties bloom during the fall, and while the flowers look appealing and can make great decor for your home, they can be extremely dangerous to pets, particularly cats.

Even small exposures, such as licking lily pollen off their fur or drinking water from a vase containing lilies, can cause rapid-onset kidney failure in cats. All parts of the plant are toxic, so it is best to completely avoid keeping lilies in or around your home if you have cats. If your cat does come into contact with a lily, it is crucial to seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

While the consequences for cats are much more serious, lilies also present a big risk to dogs, causing symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and oral irritation.

4 – Buckeyes

Buckeyes start to fall from buckeye trees during the fall, and while many people enjoy collecting them, they can be very harmful to pets.

The nuts, seeds, and sprouts of buckeye trees contain a compound called glycosides, and if cats and dogs ingest them, it can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, muscle tremors, and even seizures or paralysis in severe cases. 

Similar to oak trees, buckeye trees are particularly dangerous during the fall when buckeyes begin to fall to the ground, so it is important to avoid having them in your yard and to monitor your pets closely if they are playing near a buckeye tree.

5 – Fall chrysanthemums

Fall chrysanthemums are another plant that, while they look beautiful, can be very dangerous to pets. They are a popular flower for decorating homes; however, they contain compounds called pyrethrins and sesquiterpene lactones, which can be dangerous to cats and dogs.

If ingested, they can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, lack of coordination and dermatitis, with cats being particularly vulnerable. Even small exposures can be harmful, so it is important to keep these flowers out of reach of your pets if you choose to have them in or around your home, or better yet, avoid them completely.