Sage is a herb native to the Mediterranean region. It is cultivated for its gray-green leaves, which have a flavor that is camphoraceous and faintly citrusy. Sage is well known for its ability to treat a number of conditions, including sore throats, upset stomachs, and nasal congestion.
To consume sage, add it to food dishes, steep it in hot water, or combine it with lemon juice.
6 Plants That Are Toxic to Pets
I know I have some of these in my yard, as do you, but knowledge truly is power. Know what is harmful to your pets, and most importantly, be able to spot any symptoms so you can take prompt action.
Lilies – In my Easter blog I discussed lilies. While all varieties are toxic to our furry friends, our kitty companions could suffer some serious life-threatening issues. Peace lilies and Easter lilies can cause a shutdown in kitty kidneys. While they’re gorgeous to have around the house and even inside, let this pretty picture be all that you need and avoid them at all costs. Oh and they attract lots of bugs which makes them have lots of pesticides sprayed on them -that just adds to their toxicity.
Amaryllis – Oh the lovely Naked Lady, she’s dangerous though. Even though she may be attractive, if Fluffy or Fido starts nibbling on her, you’ll suffer from a drop in blood pressure, shallow breathing, and excruciating stomach pain. She is an attractive and strong plant, so keep her out of your yard.
Azalea – This picture doesn’t get any fresher, it’s straight from my yard and in an area none of my pets will be – I even captured a cute bee bum! My poor kitty gets her vitamin D from our fully screened-in back porch but she is a proud indoor only kitty. I have caught several client dogs nibbling away on this seemingly excellent chew toy. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, “these plants contain grayanotoxins which disrupt sodium channels affecting the skeletal and cardiac muscle. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous, and as little as ingesting 0.2% of an animal’s body weight can result in poisoning. When ingested, clinical signs include gastrointestinal signs (e.g., drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, inappetance), cardiovascular (e.g., abnormal heart rate, heart arrhythmias, weakness, hypotension), and central nervous system signs (e.g., depression, tremors, transient blindness, seizures, coma, etc.). The overall prognosis is “fair with treatment”. I’m glad that the prognosis is fair with treatment but it certainly helps to know that your pet is acting that way because they were chewing on your Azalea. It’s best to not give them access EVER.
Cyclamen – This plant is comparable to the previously mentioned safe Heuchera. Given the size of the leaves, I know the knowledgeable gardeners will argue that they are nothing alike, but they are – you know it. I couldn’t tell the difference unless they were planted next to each other without my trained gardener’s eye. Only this one is dangerous; according to the ASPCA, cyclamen can be poisonous to cats and dogs, with higher concentrations of the toxin typically found in the plant’s roots and lower concentrations in the majority of other plant parts. Consuming cyclamen will cause heart problems, seizures, and “possible death” according to the manufacturer, so yeah, this is on the do not buy list. I would check to make sure that these plants weren’t remaining if you had just recently purchased a home. Even though a cat is less likely to go looking for roots, I wouldn’t have one in my garden.
Okay, I admit it. My dogs can access these daffodils in the backyard. Since this photo was taken just a few hours ago and served as the inspiration for this lengthy blog post, you can see the small section of fencing behind them. While my dogs do have access, they are never left unattended in my yard because the illness brought on by being chewed by cats and dogs is similar to that brought on by their Naked Lady plant friend mentioned above. They could still chew on them, but they like to dump and run, and these are close to where they poop.
Tulips: I have over 400 of these bad boys in my front yard, and when they aren’t passed over like this picture from last year sadly shows, they look fantastic. Unlike the daffies mentioned above, the main concern with this plant is its bulb. Dogs may think it’s just a ball that they can chase and chew on, but that could cause their mouths to become irritated. They would be drooling and possibly having trouble swallowing, so you would know. Ingestion would result in GI problems, an elevated heart rate, and breathing difficulties.
Side effects of feeding sage to dogs
Sage is a great addition to a dog’s diet and has some notable health benefits for them. But before giving it to your pet, you should be aware of some side effects, just like with any new food product.
For instance, if you feed your dog too much sage all at once, they might experience diarrhea or vomiting.
The consumption of too many herbs by dogs can cause digestive problems They might deprive your animal companion of the vitamins and minerals found in other foods.
If your dog recently consumed something that made it sick, such as an inappropriate meal, do not feed it sage. Remember that your dog is always peckish and likely to consume anything.
Can we feed fresh sage to dogs?
Dogs can consume fresh sage in small doses, but not in high doses.
FAQ
Are sage plants toxic to dogs?
Sage is acknowledged by the ASPCA as being non-toxic for dogs, in contrast to some herbs that can cause digestive upset in large doses. There is no risk of poisoning, but you should still limit your dog’s intake to a few leaves per day.
Is pineapple sage good for you?
Pineapple sage tea can help you relax and soothe an upset stomach. Like many of its mint cousins, it also promotes digestion. Studies on mice have shown that it has anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties, and some claim that it aids in memory loss.
What is the safest ground cover for dogs?
- Silver carpet (dymondia margaretae) …
- Irish moss (sagina subulata) …
- Elfin thyme (thymus serpyllum “elfin”) …
- Miniature stonecrop (sedum requieni) …
- Labrador violet (viola labradorica) …
- Snow in summer (cerastium tomentosum) …
- Winter creeper (euonymus fortunei)
What herbs are toxic for dogs?
- Chamomile. Scientific name: Anthemis nobilis. …
- Chives. Scientific name: Allium schoenoprasum. …
- Garlic. Scientific name: Allium sativum. …
- Hops. Scientific name: Humulus Lupulus. …
- Leeks. Scientific name: Allium ampeloprasum. …
- Marijuana. …
- Onions and Shallots. …
- Rhubarb.