Are mums poisonous to dogs? Yes, mums are poisonous to dogs, but they rarely cause lethal health problems.
However, due to their mildly offensive chemical compounds, keeping these plants away from your canine companion remains necessary.
Why Are Mums Poisonous to Dogs?
Mums go by the scientific name Chrysanthemum spp. but are commonly known as chrysanthemums. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, they are classified as a type of daisy.
There are 13 classifications and over 20,000 variations of the chrysanthemum plant. Although they bring more beauty to your garden, these plants are not the best picks for households with dogs.
Mums produce sesquiterpene lactones, pyrethrins, and other potential irritants. They are toxic substances that serve as natural bug repellant for these plants. Unfortunately, they also have a negative effect on the canine body.
Ingestion of toxic lactones and pyrethrins interferes with dogs’ sodium channels.
In turn, this affects the permeability of their nerve membranes, resulting in neurological problems. Mums are also capable of inducing contact dermatitis because of these harmful compounds.
Which Parts of Mums Are Poisonous to Dogs?
No part of the chrysanthemum is safe for dogs. The entire plant, including its leaves, stems, and flowers, harbor toxic lactones and pyrethrins.
While mums are mildly toxic, dogs may easily get poisoned from eating them due to the presence of harmful compounds in their whole body.
For this reason, we advise against growing a chrysanthemum indoors or in the backyard if you have a canine companion.
If you already own this plant species, always place it in elevated places like on top of high shelves or make use of hanging planters.
Moreover, be on track with its upkeep. Make sure to remove any fallen parts of the chrysanthemum daily to prevent your furry friend from ingesting them.
What Are the Symptoms of Mum Poisoning in Dogs?
The most common clinical signs of mum toxicity in canines are gastric issues and neural problems. Watch out for the occurrence of vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and inappetence.
Chrysanthemums also induce skin irritation upon direct contact. Chewing this plant can cause itchiness in the mouth, tongue, and throat of affected dogs. They will exhibit coughing and constant scratching of the mouth.
Serious cases of poisoning will cause the following symptoms to crop up:
- Fever
- Seizures
- Labored breathing
- Respiratory failure
Clinical signs of mum poisoning in dogs usually take around 24 hours to appear. If you suspect that your dog has ingested the plant, monitor him closely within this period for potential development of symptoms.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Ate Mums?
Keep your pet from ingesting more of the plant by moving him to a separate room where he has no access to the plant.
If he is exhibiting oral irritation, rinse his mouth with gentle running water. Or you can wipe the affected area using a moistened clean cloth.
Then proceed to compile valuable information about what occurred, such as:
- What is the approximate time of the incident?
- Which parts of the chrysanthemum your dog has eaten?
- How much of the plant has he consumed?
- Has your canine companion started exhibiting symptoms of poisoning?
Sometimes plant poisoning in dogs does not require admission to the animal clinic if it is mild. However, just to be sure, call the vet or an animal poison helpline and share with them the information you have acquired.
If they require you to get your dog medical treatment, we recommend taking a sample of the chrysanthemum plant with you.
It helps the veterinarian determine if the plant is responsible for potential clinical symptoms your dog develops.
How Is Mum Poisoning Treated in Dogs?
If ingestion of the mum only occurred within a few hours, the vet will induce vomiting to get rid of undigested plant matter in your dog’s stomach. It prevents further absorption of the mum’s toxins in his system.
Intake of activated charcoal might also be necessary as this compound helps with preventing toxin absorption. It does so by binding with the harmful chemical compound to avoid metabolization.
Dogs with mum poisoning are in danger of dehydration due to GI symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Thus, IV therapy is commonly used to mitigate the danger of excessive electrolyte and water depletion in the body.
Intake of medications might also be needed to alleviate clinical signs of mum poisoning in dogs.
For instance, stomach protectants and muscle relaxants will be administered to reduce gastric distress. If your pooch is suffering from seizures, he will need to receive antiepileptic drugs like diazepam.
FAQs About Are Mums Poisonous to Dogs
1. How Toxic Is Chrysanthemum to Dogs?
The chrysanthemum plant is mildly toxic to dogs. It produces sesquiterpene lactones and pyrethrins, which are natural insecticides.
Severe poisoning rarely happens with this plant. Your canine companion will need to consume large amounts of the plant for toxicity to take place.
2. Can Dogs Eat Mum Leaves?
All parts of the mum are not safe for dogs to eat, including its leaves. Thus, it would be best to avoid growing this plant in your home or garden.
If you have your heart set on owning a mum, keep safety measures in place to prevent your pet from consuming it.
This includes putting the plant in areas where your dog cannot reach, such as atop a high shelf or in a hanging planter. Surround the mum with a tall and sturdy fence if you are planting it in the backyard.
3. What Happens If a Dog Eats Mums in Excessive Doses?
If a dog eats mums in excessive doses, her nervous system will suffer from negative side effects. Symptoms like body incoordination and seizures may take place.
For this reason, it is crucial to get in touch with the veterinarian if you suspect that your pet has ingested a mum.
4. Are Mums Toxic to Horses, Cats, and Dogs?
Mums are toxic to cats and horses besides dogs. If you own either one of these animals, make sure that they do not have any access to this plant.
Conclusion
Are mums poisonous to dogs? Yes, mums are poisonous to dogs because of the sesquiterpene lactones, pyrethrins, and other unidentified compounds they produce.
Although they have mild toxicity, they can cause serious neurological issues like seizures when ingested in large quantities. Hence, it would be best to look for alternative dog-friendly plants to keep in your home.
