Toxic plants for dogs and cats: list and what to do in Belgium

A bouquet received as a gift, a yew hedge at the bottom of the garden, bulbs waiting in the shed: Belgian homes and gardens are full of plants, some of which are dangerous for our companions. The Belgian Poison Centre puts it plainly: dogs swallow whatever they come across, while cats, more cautious, groom themselves at length and swallow the pollen left on their coat. Here are the plants to know, the warning signs and what to do.

Indoors: the plants to watch

• Lilies (Lilium) and daylilies: the most feared plant for cats. Leaves, flowers, pollen and even the vase water are toxic, and a few licks are enough to cause acute kidney failure. With a cat at home, the rule is simple: no lilies.
• Dieffenbachia and philodendron: their sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that burn the mouth. The animal drools heavily, shakes its head and has a swollen tongue. Rarely fatal, very painful.
• Dracaena: very common in living rooms, it causes vomiting, drooling and weakness.
• Poinsettia: its reputation is exaggerated. The latex irritates the mouth and stomach, but serious cases are rare.
• Lily of the valley: given as a gift on 1 May, it contains substances that act on the heart. Vomiting, then heart rhythm problems. The vase water is toxic too.
• Indoor azalea: same family as rhododendron, same risks.

In the garden: hedges, borders and bulbs

• Yew (Taxus): the most common hedge in Belgium is also one of the most dangerous. Needles, bark and seeds contain taxines that act on the heart; only the red flesh around the seed is harmless. Poisoning can lead to sudden death. Watch out for hedge trimmings.
• Oleander: increasingly found on terraces. The whole plant is toxic, including dried leaves: digestive upset followed by serious heart problems.
• Rhododendron and azalea: leaves and flowers cause drooling, vomiting, weakness and a slowed heart.
• Spring bulbs: tulip, daffodil (narcissus) and hyacinth concentrate their toxins in the bulb, which dogs dig up or find in a bag in the garage. Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, sometimes tremors; the daffodil is the most dangerous.
• Horse chestnut: conkers irritate the digestive tract and can cause an obstruction in dogs.
• Mistletoe and holly: their berries and leaves cause vomiting and diarrhoea; mistletoe can also lower blood pressure.

On walks, also beware of processionary caterpillars.

The summary table

The signs that should alert you

The symptoms of poisoning are not specific: when vomiting or lethargy has no other explanation, look for a chewed leaf. The Poison Centre groups the signs into a few families:

• digestive: heavy drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain;
• neurological: weakness, loss of balance, agitation, tremors, spasms, seizures;
• heart and breathing: fast or irregular heartbeat, difficult breathing, fever.

In cats, a sudden loss of appetite and a litter tray that stays dry after contact with a lily are red flags. To tell a minor upset from an emergency, read our digestive warning signs.

What to do if your pet has eaten a plant

1. Move the animal away from the plant and remove any debris from its mouth if you can do so safely.
2. Do not make it vomit yourself and do not give it anything to swallow, no milk, no oil, no charcoal without veterinary advice. That is the Poison Centre's instruction: induced vomiting can worsen burns or cause choking.
3. Call your vet or, in the evening and at weekends, the on-duty vet in your area. Describe the plant, the quantity and the likely time of ingestion. Our guide explains how the veterinary on-call service works.
4. Call the Poison Centre on 070 245 245 if you are unsure of the plant's identity or toxicity. The Centre answers questions about animals on weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm, at weekends and on public holidays from 10 am to 4 pm, with priority given to human emergencies: your vet remains your first point of contact.
5. Take a piece of the plant or a photo with you, along with the pot or label. If the eyes or skin were exposed, rinse for 15 minutes with lukewarm water.

If you rush to a vet who does not know your pet, the free Zoolinko health record gives them 72-hour emergency access to your pet's file (weight, treatments, history), linked to the microchip number: precious time saved when stress makes you forget half the answers.

Safe alternatives

Living with a pet does not mean giving up plants. Indoors, the spider plant (chlorophytum), calathea, Boston fern, areca palm and pilea are considered safe, and a pot of cat grass will distract your cat. In the garden, roses, sunflowers, camellia, fuchsia and herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil) pose no problem. Before buying, ask the nursery for the Latin name and write it on the pot: that is the Poison Centre's advice. As the holidays approach, chocolate joins mistletoe and holly on the list of things to keep out of reach.