The laurel shrub is a common background hedge in gardens around the world. While we know laurel plants are pretty popular amongst us humans, are they safe for us pet parents to have in our gardens, or are laurels poisonous to dogs? Let’s find out.
Bringing a new plant into your home can be an exciting way to add some fresh décor. However, as a pet owner, it’s crucial to do your research beforehand to ensure the plants you choose are safe for your furry friends. One popular plant that may catch your eye is the bay laurel With its aromatic leaves and lush green appearance, it can seem like an ideal choice But is bay laurel safe for pets? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Bay Laurel?
Bay laurel also known as sweet bay or simply laurel is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean region. Its glossy, elongated leaves are most recognized for their use in cooking. Dried bay leaves are a common ingredient in soups, stews, and other dishes thanks to their woodsy, herbal flavor.
In addition to culinary uses, bay laurel has also been utilized for medicinal purposes, as an ornamental plant, and in cosmetics. It’s become popular in home landscaping and container gardening for its attractive foliage. However, there are important safety considerations for pet owners before bringing this plant home.
Is Bay Laurel Toxic to Pets?
Unfortunately, yes—bay laurel can be toxic to cats, dogs, and other household pets if ingested. The leaves, stems, and berries of the plant contain compounds called monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. While these organic compounds give bay laurel its signature scent and flavor, they can cause poisoning in animals if consumed.
All parts of the plant can be dangerous, but the leaves tend to pose the greatest risk. As few as 6-10 leaves may cause poisoning in smaller pets if eaten. Larger dogs can experience symptoms after eating as little as 20 leaves.
So while bay leaf is fine for human use, it’s best to avoid exposing your furry companions to this plant.
Signs of Bay Laurel Poisoning in Pets
If your pet has ingested any part of a bay laurel plant, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy or depression
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Coma
Gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea tend to manifest first. More severe neurological symptoms can develop if larger quantities were consumed. Immediate veterinary treatment is vital to prevent serious complications. Don’t wait to see if symptoms resolve on their own.
What to Do if Your Pet Ingests Bay Laurel
Time is of the essence if you believe your pet has eaten any amount of bay laurel. Take the following steps without delay:
- Remove any remaining plant parts from your pet’s mouth to prevent further ingestion.
- Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. They can provide specific first aid advice based on the details.
- Take your pet to the vet immediately. Treatment typically includes inducing vomiting, giving activated charcoal to absorb toxins, and providing supportive care with IV fluids and anti-seizure medications as needed.
Don’t try any home remedies like giving milk or salt water. This can make things worse. Let your vet take charge to give your pet the best chance of recovery.
Preventing Bay Laurel Poisoning in Pets
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to pet safety. Here are some tips to keep your furry friends safe from bay laurel:
- Avoid planting bay laurel in your home landscape if you have outdoor pets who could access it. Opt for non-toxic alternatives instead.
- Keep indoor bay laurel plants completely out of reach of pets. Place on high shelves or in rooms pets can’t access.
- Never intentionally feed any part of a bay laurel plant to pets. The leaves may smell tempting to them, but ingestion can be extremely dangerous.
- Supervise pets closely outdoors to prevent snacking on neighborhood bay laurel shrubs or trees.
- Use pet-safe mulch in garden beds near areas pets frequent. Some types of mulch can also pose toxicity risks if eaten.
With vigilance and pet-proofing, you can maintain a safe environment indoors and out. Check the ASPCA’s full list of toxic and non-toxic plants before introducing any new greenery into your home.
Safe Bay Laurel Plant Alternatives for Pet Owners
If you love the look of bay laurel but want to keep your furry friends out of harm’s way, consider these safer alternatives:
Herb Plants
Many popular cooking herbs like parsley, basil, oregano, dill, and thyme are non-toxic for pets. Fresh or dried, they can provide flavor in place of bay leaves.
Mock Orange
Mock orange (Philadelphus) offers similar shiny green leaves without toxicity. Choose non-invasive varieties for your home garden.
Variegated Pittosporum
With its light green and creamy white variegated leaves, variegated pittosporum provides vibrant color without putting pets at risk.
Japanese Aralia
Japanese aralia (Fatsia japonica) has glossy, palm-shaped leaves that resemble bay laurel. This non-toxic houseplant thrives indoors.
With a little creative thinking, you can find leafy alternatives that bring beauty into your home without endangering your furry companions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bay Laurel and Pet Safety
Here are answers to some common questions from pet owners about bay laurel toxicity:
Can I use dried bay leaves in cooking if I have pets?
It’s best not to use dried bay leaves around pets at all. The aromatic compounds remain in dried leaves and can still cause toxicity if eaten. Opt for pet-safe herbs instead.
Are other laurel plants toxic besides bay laurel?
Yes, other members of the laurel family like mountain laurel and cherry laurel also contain toxins and should be avoided. Always verify a plant’s safety before allowing pet exposure.
What initial symptoms might my pet show after eating bay laurel?
Drooling, lip licking, vomiting, and diarrhea are typically the first signs of bay laurel poisoning in pets as the irritating compounds take effect.
How much bay leaf is toxic to cats versus dogs?
The exact toxic dose depends on the size of the pet. But generally, cats may show symptoms after ingesting just 2-3 leaves. Small dogs may react to 5-10 leaves while large dogs can be sickened by 20 or more.
How long after ingesting bay laurel will my pet show signs?
Symptoms usually begin within 2-4 hours. But onset can be delayed up to 12 hours as the toxins are absorbed. So monitor your pet closely even if they initially seem fine.
Protect Your Pets From Bay Laurel
While bay laurel offers benefits for people, it can put your furry friends in danger. But armed with the right information, you can keep this toxic plant well out of paws’ reach. Consider safer bay leaf plant alternatives to eliminate the risk while still enjoying their decorative appeal.
If you believe your pet has eaten any part of a bay laurel plant, waste no time contacting your vet for prompt treatment. Together we can help keep our animal companions happy, healthy, and safe in homes with pet-friendly plants.
Laurel poisoning in dogs
So, now you know to steer clear of laurel plants, let’s find out more about laurel poisoning in dogs. But just one more thing before we do that – if you are reading this blog because your pup has just eaten any part of the laurel plant, you should stop reading now, and get them to a vet as a matter of emergency.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness
- Abnormal heart rate and rhythms
- Lethargy
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Perspiration
- Tremors
- Temporary blindness – seen as bumping into walls/furniture
- Seizures
If possible, take along a sample of the plant your pup ingested to the vet – identifying the plant will help your vet make a faster, more accurate diagnosis. Your vet will give your pup a full health check, and take blood and urine samples to see how badly the toxins have affected their body systems. This is an important step before starting treatments for laurel toxicity
The treatments your pup undergoes will depend on how long ago the plant was ingested and the severity of their toxicity symptoms so far. Either way, your vet will know the best way to treat your poorly pup.
If your pup has just eaten, or eaten within the last 1-3 hours, your vet will make your dog sick to remove any laurel still sitting in the stomach. If it has been much longer than this, because of how toxic laurel is, your vet will anesthetize your pup and pass a gastric tube to flush out the stomach contents and give a medication called activated charcoal to help reduce signs of toxicity.
Your pup will be given intravenous fluids to help prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea, and to support kidney function when flushing out toxins. In very severe cases, your dog may need a machine to breathe from if they have collapsed or started to have seizures.
Are laurels poisonous to dogs?
So, is laurel toxic to dogs? Unfortunately yes – very much so. If your pooch has ingested any part of the plant, you should get to a vet immediately. Laurel plants contain a neurotoxin called grayanotoxin. These can interfere with nerve and skeletal functioning, as well as the healthy movement of the heart muscle.
And are laurel berries poisonous to dogs? Certainly – make sure you keep your laurel plant well out of your pup’s reach – the last thing you want is ingestion of these toxin-filled berries. And what about other variations of laurel berries? Can dogs eat cherry laurel berries? Again, it’s a big no on this one – all parts of laurel plants are toxic to dogs, so make sure you keep your pup away from laurel plants and berries.