A warning has been issued to pet owners to be on guard against potentially deadly toxic fungi and other dangers lurking outside that could poison their animals as autumn begins.

The alert comes from insurer More Than as part of its Pet Safe campaign to raise awareness of the risks from cats and dogs eating plants and fungi in gardens, parks and open spaces.

Actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s dog died recently after ingesting wild mushrooms, providing a stark reminder of the hazards nature can pose.

According to findings from More Than, over three quarters (78 per cent) of gardens contain plants that are toxic to cats and dogs.

Almost 10 per cent of cats and dogs have fallen ill after ingesting dangerous plant life. Of those, 43 per cent subsequently needed urgent veterinary care, while 15 per cent passed away.

One in every three pet owners (31 per cent) admit they have no idea if plants in their gardens are toxic, and the same number are unaware plants can be poisonous to pets.

More than 70 per cent of pet owners cannot identify any of the symptoms of poisoning in their cat or dog.

News Shopper:

More Than has produced an alphabetical list of plants that can be poisonous to pets, along with a guide to other autumnal dangers such as conkers. There is also a rundown of symptoms to watch out for.

Common toxic plants to avoid in the garden:

  • Aloe Vera
  • Amaryllis bulbs
  • Angels Trumpet (Brugmansia)
  • Apple (seeds)
  • Apricots (kernels)
  • Asparagas Fern
  • Avocado (fruit, pith, leaves)
  • Azalea (all parts)
  • Baby's Breath
  • Begonia
  • Bird of Paradise
  • Bishop's Weed
  • Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Formosa)
  • Bluebell
  • Buxus / Box (all parts, mostly leaves)
  • Carnation
  • Chrysanthemum (all parts)
  • Clematis (all parts)
  • Cordyline (Grass palm)
  • Crocus (all)
  • Cyclamen (foliage, flowers, stems)
  • Daffodil (all parts)
  • Dahlia
  • Daisy
  • Daphne (berries, bark, leaves)
  • Deadly Nightshade
  • Delphinium (all parts, especially the sprouts)
  • Elderberry (leaves, bark, roots and buds)
  • Elephant's Ears (leaves, stems, roots)
  • Eucalyptus (all parts)
  • Foxglove / Digitalis (leaves, stems, flowers, seeds)
  • Gardenia
  • Garlic
  • Geranium (all parts)
  • Gladiola (bulbs)
  • Grape Plant / Vine
  • Hellebore
  • Hibiscus
  • Holly (leaves, berries and stems)
  • Hosta
  • Hyacincth (bulbs, leaves, flowers)
  • Hydrangea (all parts)
  • Iris (bulbs)
  • Ivy (all species - leaves, berries)
  • Japanese Yew (needles, seeds, bark)
  • Laburnum (leaves and seeds)
  • Larkspur (all parts)
  • Leopard Lily
  • Lillies (all parts)
  • Lily Of The Valley (all parts)
  • Lime
  • Lobelia Lupin (all parts)
  • Mallow
  • Marigold (new leaves, stems)
  • Mistletoe
  • Monkshood / Aconite (roots, foliage, seeds)
  • Morning Glory (all parts)
  • Narcissus (all parts)
  • Oak / Acorns (all parts)
  • Oleander (all parts)
  • Onion (all parts)
  • Peony (foliage, flowers)
  • Periwinkle (all parts)
  • Philodendron (leaves, stems, roots)
  • Pinks
  • Poinsetta
  • Poppy (all parts)
  • Potato (sprouts, vines, unripe tubers)
  • Primrose (all parts)
  • Privet
  • Prunus Rotundifolia Laurel
  • Ragwort (all parts above ground)
  • Ranunculus (Buttercup)
  • Rhododendron (leaves)
  • Rhubarb leaves
  • Snowdrops (all parts)
  • Sweet Pea (all parts)
  • Sweet William
  • Tobacco Plant
  • Tomato Plant (foliage, vines, green fruit)
  • Tulip (bulbs)
  • Verbena (foliage and flowers)
  • Weeping Fig (Indian Rubber)
  • Wild Cherry Tree
  • Wisteria (seeds and pods)
  • Yarrow
  • Yew
  • Yucca

News Shopper:

It’s not just plants and flowers you need to consider when planning a safe garden for your cat or dog. The following can also prove hazardous: ACORNS AND CONKERS: Toxic if eaten.

ALGAE: Toxic freshwater algae (usually blue-green in colour, but sometimes colourless) has been known to poison animals.

BEE AND WASP STINGS: These can be especially problematic if they sting inside the mouth.

COCOA MULCH: Made of cocoa bean shell – a by-product of the chocolate industry – and like chocolate can be harmful if eaten by dogs.

FERTILISER, INSECTICIDES AND PESTICIDES: If consumed, fertiliser can give your cat or dog a stomach upset and may result in life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction. Read instructions carefully and make sure you allow an appropriate time from use before allowing your animal in the garden.

GARDEN TOOLS: Unattended garden tools may seem like no big deal, but rakes, tillers, hoes and trowels can be hazardous to pets and cause trauma to paws, noses or other parts of a curious pet’s body.

Contact your vet immediately if you think your pet has eaten any toxic plants, flowers, or in fact any toxic items or substances. Take along samples of the plant to the vet - or preferably any identification label, tag or pot information you may still have for the plant that has been eaten.

General symptoms of poisoning:

  • Oral or skin irritation
  • Upset stomach / vomiting / diarrhoea
  • Weakness
  • Rapid breathing
  • Fever
  • Drooling
  • Coma
  • Heart failure
  • Excitability or lethargy
  • Tremors / seizures / fitting
  • Increased thirst
  • Dilated pupils
  • Dizziness / loss of balance