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LIFESTYLE

The blazing summer sun and lashings of rain we’ve received
lately can only mean one thing: time to get into the garden! We
may be swept up in visualising rolling lawns, bursts of colour
and fabulous designs but it may not cross our minds that some
of the stunning plants and cut flowers we so enjoy may be
toxic to our precious fur-family. The truth is that a number of
plants commonly found in SA gardens pose a very real risk to
dogs and cats, particularly if ingested.
Daffodils may result in serious toxicity or
even fatality for a curious furball.

CYCADS ‘fruit’, the Stinkblaar (Datura spp) is MORNING GLORY
Many species of cycads are a serious a member of the deadly nightshade Sticking with wonderful weeds, the
toxic risk to dogs and cats. The Japanese family and, you guessed it, that Morning Glory literally takes ownership
Sago Palm, Cycas revoluta, is particularly strange seed capsule can be lethal to of any garden or pasture and creates a
popular in many gardens as no permit dogs and cats. magnificent show. BUT! Those splendid
is required to grow it, and it presents a flowers and the seed pods that follow them
lovely show with its rugged trunk and YESTERDAY, TODAY AND are also super-toxic to pets and livestock.
symmetrical crown of dark green leathery TOMORROW
leaves. However, even a mouthful of any Who can resist the elegant blossoms of TOMATO and POTATO PLANTS
part of this plant - roots, fruit, stem or the Y-T-T (Brunfelsia spp) and their gentle Surely a veggie plant couldn’t be dangerous?
leaves - can lead to irreversible liver failure fragrance? This cherished feature in SA Wrong! The good old tomato plant contains
in dogs and cats. gardens unfortunately contains toxins in all substances called glycoalkaloids, which
parts of the plant that cause vomiting, co- will cause nasty tummy upsets for pets
STINKBLAAR ordination problems, seizures and tremors if eaten. They are also members of the
With its trumpet-shaped flowers, in curious canines or felines who give it deadly nightshade family… who knew?!
smooth, toothed leaves and beguiling the taste-test. Potato plants are also toxic.
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