With the warm weather moving in, many pet parents are outside toiling away in their yards and gardens. For those pet owners with a green thumb, it is important to note that not all plants are pet safe. Some may be toxic to our canine companions, causing them to become very sick if consumed.
There are several dog-safe outdoor plants that you can consider for your garden or yard. These plants are non-toxic to dogs and can be a great addition to your outdoor space. Here are some examples to consider for your pup-friendly yard:
These colorful flowers are safe for dogs and can add a vibrant touch to your garden. They are also known to repel certain pests.
Sunflowers are not only visually appealing but are also safe for dogs. They can grow quite tall and create a cheerful atmosphere in your garden.
Many rose varieties are safe for dogs, but its essential to choose ones without thorns. Thornless roses ensure that your dog wont accidentally hurt themselves while exploring the garden.
Garden phlox, with its vibrant floral clusters, is a popular perennial plant found in many backyards and gardens. Its bright blooms come in a variety of colors like pink, purple, red and white, adding a pop of color to the landscape. However, this beautiful plant does come with a caveat – it can be toxic to dogs if ingested.
As dog owners, it’s crucial we understand which plants may pose a risk. So let’s take a closer look at garden phlox and the potential dangers it presents for our canine companions.
An Overview of Garden Phlox
Garden phlox also known as Phlox paniculata, is a flowering plant native to the eastern United States. It belongs to the Polemoniaceae family and is a cousin of the Phlox subulata or “moss phlox”.
Garden phlox grows upright and can reach heights of 2-4 feet. It blooms in spring and summer, producing flowers in dense, multi-branched clusters called panicles, hence the name “paniculata”. The flowers come in oval, five-petaled formations and emit a lovely, sweet fragrance.
Beyond the standard garden phlox, there are many popular cultivars available like ‘Bright Eyes’, ‘Franz Schubert’, and ‘David’ phlox These vary in size, flower color, and bloom time but all fall under the Paniculata phlox genus.
Now that we understand the origins and characteristics of garden phlox, let’s look at the safety concerns regarding dogs.
Is Garden Phlox Toxic to Dogs?
According to the ASPCA, garden phlox is indeed toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
The main toxic agent is a substance called phasinoside, a glycoside found in the plant’s stems, leaves, flowers and seeds. If ingested, phasinoside can cause irritation, drooling, vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Additionally, the sap from phlox plants contains photoactivated compounds that can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in some dogs. So contact dermatitis is another risk if dogs brush up against or lie on the plants.
Overall, ingestion of any part of the garden phlox plant can result in gastrointestinal issues for dogs. The seeds contain the highest concentration of toxins.
Symptoms of Poisoning
If your dog eats garden phlox, watch for these common symptoms:
- Excessive drooling and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
In rare cases, it may also cause respiratory issues and dilated pupils. If you see any of these symptoms after your dog was in the yard unattended, get them to the vet right away. Speedy treatment improves outcomes.
Are Some Dogs More at Risk?
The amount ingested determines the severity of poisoning. Small dogs are especially vulnerable since it takes a smaller amount of phlox to make them ill.
Puppies are also at high risk, as their curiosity leads them to munch on plants in the garden. Supervise puppies closely and consider blocking access to phlox.
Safer Alternatives to Garden Phlox
If you want to steer clear of phlox entirely, some safe flowering alternatives for your garden include:
- Roses – Choose thornless varieties
- Sunflowers – Cheery and dog-friendly
- Marigolds – Repel pests too
- Asters – Daisy-like blooms
- Hibiscus – Showy blossoms
- Petunias – Pretty in baskets/pots
Focus on planting these far from walkways or dog paths. For a handy visual guide, the ASPCA has a helpful toxicity map showing the safety levels of various plants for dogs and cats.
Protecting Your Dog from Garden Phlox
If you decide to keep phlox in your garden, some tips to prevent phlox poisoning include:
- Fence off the phlox to block access
- Remove and destroy dropped flowers/seeds
- Avoid fertilizers/pesticides toxic to dogs
- Keep dogs inside for 24 hours after spraying
- Train dogs to avoid the phlox planting areas
- Place peeled oranges/lemons around plants to deter dogs
- Mulch around plants to prevent digging
Quick action can make all the difference if poisoning does occur. Vomiting may be induced within 2 hours of ingestion, but only under a vet’s advisement.
Garden phlox adds vibrant color to our gardens, but poses a moderate toxicity risk to dogs if ingested. By using safer alternatives or taking preventive measures, we can cultivate dog-friendly gardens that don’t compromise beauty or plant diversity. As caring dog owners, we must take the time to understand plant hazards and protect our pets from harm. With some thoughtful planning, we can have stunning, pet-safe gardens we all enjoy.
Other Safe Plants For Your Dogs That We Love
Beautiful plants can add major curb appeal to your garden, but it’s important to remember which varieties can make your furry friends sick. We listed our 15 favorite dog-friendly plants for your garden, but it doesn’t end there! There is a plethora of options for your pups that are both versatile and vibrant, and they are all approved by the ASPCA. Some more dog-friendly plant options for your garden include hollyhock, globe thistle, and red hot poker. As a pet parent with a green thumb, these plants for your garden help mitigate risks and keep your curious four-legged friends safe from ingesting harmful toxins.
What Would You like to Learn About Today?
Dogs are man’s best friend, but they’re not always your garden’s best friend! If your dogs are anything like mine, they’ll take any chance they get to steal a twig, munch on flowers, or lay right in the middle of the garden bed. Sure, it’s destructive, but more importantly, it can be dangerous! Some plants are toxic for dogs – like ivy, foxglove, and boxwoods – and may make your dog sick when ingested. But don’t worry; we’ve compiled a list of our most popular outdoor plants that are safe for dogs. Add these to your garden to spend less time worrying about your pup, and more time enjoying your garden.
*At the time of the publish date, these plants below were included in the ASPCA non-toxic plants for dogs list. Because new research is constantly adjusting the plants in this list, it’s the responsibility of any gardener or dog owner reading this do their own research to confirm the toxicity of chosen garden plants.
*Disclaimer: Great Garden Plants advises that pets, children, or adults DO NOT consume any flowers, weeds, trees or bushes. Ornamental plants are intended to be just that – ornamental. They should not be consumed by people or pets.
It may be called catmint, but it’s dog-friendly too! It’s one of the longest-blooming perennials on the market, providing over 5 months of flowers. It has strong stems, so it can handle some disturbance from a curious dog. Plus, the fragrant foliage may be a nice perfume for your pup!
Crapemyrtle is known for bringing drama to the garden, even when it’s not blooming! Vibrant flowers and colorful foliage make it hard to not stop and stare in the summer. If this shrub catches your dog’s eye too, no worries. It’s non-toxic and vigorous, so it can handle a few nibbles.
Your pup might not be the fluffiest thing in your garden! Bluebeard adds whimsical texture to every landscape with fluffy spikes of flowers that attract pollinators. They’re wonderful sun perennials known for their long-blooming flowers and deer resistance. It’s also non-toxic, durable, and low maintenance.
Easy to care for and beaming with vivid blooms, hardy hibiscus is the perfect perennial for the summer. This attention-grabbing plant isn’t just dog-friendly; it’s pollinator-friendly too! Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees will happily visit the flowers, as long as your pup doesn’t chase them away.
Aster is a low-growing native perennial with bright daisy-like blooms that bloom late summer through fall! Many gardeners will use aster as a flowering ground cover or plant it in their cottage garden to attract pollinators. It’s durable enough to handle some foot traffic (and paw traffic), so plant it around your stepping stones and pathways!
The non-stop blooms of tickseed (Coreopsis) will turn heads in your garden! You can rely on the vibrant flowers to continually bloom without any deadheading. Don’t worry; it doesn’t attract ticks but has small dark seeds that resemble little bugs (hence the name). Make sure your dog has their tick meds anyways!
Camellia brings vibrant color late in the season, just when it’s needed the most! Cheerful flowers bloom mid-fall and continue well into winter, with delicate flowers standing tall on glossy evergreen foliage. The plant is non-toxic and incredibly heat—and cold-tolerant.
With strong stems and an upright habit, Russian sage is the perfect accent plant in tough, hot, dry gardens. Blue-purple flowers persist all summer. It needs little water or maintenance to stay looking fresh! It’s a semi-woody perennial that is durable enough to handle a rambunctious dog. After my dogs run through it, they come out smelling amazing!
You can rest assured that long-blooming baby’s breath is non-toxic to dogs according to the ASPCA. Aside from being non-toxic to dogs, these delicate flowers make a great addition to cut-flower gardens!
Creeping phlox may have dainty spring-time flowers, but this ground cover is tough-as-nails! It’s highly adaptable and able to thrive in challenging sites, like slopes, rocky areas, and borders. It grows to form a lush carpet of foliage and flowers that are non-toxic. It’s unbothered by deer and will hopefully be unbothered by your dog, too!
Greet spring with extra enthusiasm each year with Forsythia blooms in your garden! Flowers are densely packed in tight clusters along the entire length of the stem. If your dog picks flowers off the stem or eats them as they fall to the ground, it’s ok. They’re non-toxic! This durable landscape plant is ready to shine.
Coral bells are cherished for their colorful foliage that persists from spring to fall. Leaves grow to form a lovely mound of foliage. Thankfully, all parts of this plant are non-toxic! Though it is fairly durable, it might not appreciate a trampling from your pup. Try planting it in a pot to avoid any paw traffic and ripped leaves from your dog.
As a border plant or in a garden bed, Peruvian lilies add contrast to any perennial border with little maintenance. Deer tend to stay away from this perennial, but pollinators can’t get enough. It’s also dog-friendly!
5 Most Poison Plant For Dog
FAQ
Are phlox plants toxic to dogs?
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Plant Addictshttps://plantaddicts.comAre Phlox Poisonous? – Plant AddictsFeb 22, 2022 — Phlox is a non-toxic plant and a safe garden plant for people with children and pets. It is not toxic to farm animals or wildlife either.
What is the difference between Garden Phlox and creeping phlox?
- Height: 2-4 feet tall.
- Bloom Time: Summer to early fall.
- Flowers: Large, fragrant panicles (clusters of flowers) in shades of pink, red, purple, blue, white, and striped.
- Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming perennial.
- Sun/Shade: Tolerant of full sun or partial shade.
- Uses: Ideal for perennial borders and cottage gardens.
Is Garden Phlox poisonous?
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Non-toxic for pets:ASPCA and other sources confirm that garden phlox, including creeping phlox and annual phlox, is not toxic to cats and dogs.
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Safe for humans:Garden phlox is not typically listed on poison control center or health organization lists of toxic plants.
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Potential for minor upset:While non-toxic, large amounts of phlox might cause minor stomach upset in some people, especially if they are particularly sensitive.
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Skin irritation:Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation after contact with the plant, so washing hands thoroughly after gardening is recommended, especially for those with sensitive skin.
Is garden phlox toxic to dogs?
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), garden phlox is indeed toxic to dogs. The plant contains substances that can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested, leading to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Is it safe for dogs to consume garlic?
No, it’s not safe for dogs to consume garlic. Garlic contains compounds like thiosulfate, which can be toxic to dogs and lead to a condition called hemolytic anemia. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and, in severe cases, organ damage.
Can dogs eat Phlox?
Paniculata Phlox (Phlox paniculata): This variety of garden phlox, known for its vibrant blooms and pleasant fragrance, is a popular choice among gardeners. However, it’s crucial to note that certain parts of the plant contain compounds that may be toxic to dogs if ingested.
Are Phlox leaves poisonous to cats?
Phlox leaves, stems, and flowers are not poisonous to cats or kittens. The passage also states that Phlox is safe for pets in small quantities and not poisonous to farm animals. However, the passage does not mention any symptoms of Phlox poisoning as it is not poisonous.
Is subulata Phlox safe for dogs?
Subulata Phlox (Phlox subulata): Also known as creeping phlox, this low-growing variety is prized for its ability to create a stunning ground cover. While Subulata Phlox is generally considered safe for pets, it’s important to be cautious if your dog has a tendency to chew on plants.
Is phlox poisonous to children?
Phlox is not poisonous to children or toddlers. It is a non-toxic plant and a safe garden choice for families with children and pets. Phlox is also not toxic to farm animals or wildlife.