The spring sunshine brings us many beautiful heyday — and this is specially truthful when it comes to hydrangea . These eye - catching shrubs can appear in pretty pastel nicety ranging from ruby-red , pinkish , purple , and blue to green and white depending on the soil . ( Pretty neat , huh ? ) If you ’re hoping to add some oomph to your garden , but you also have a furry acquaintance , you might first wonder if hydrangea are vicious to dogs .

Hydrangeas would undoubtedly make a gorgeous addition to any garden . But as some of us pet parents have amount to learn , our inquisitive dogsloveto investigate , fag in — and perhaps even eat up — our plant . This means we have to choose our plants carefully to verify our dogs are good in case they determine a way to get to them .

Well , to answer the question , yes ; hydrangeas are toxic to animals . However , hydrangea poisoning is actually rare . Here ’s what you postulate to know .

french bulldog sniffing hydrangeas

Photo: Lee waranyu / Shutterstock

Why Are Hydrangeas Poisonous to Dogs?

All share of hydrangeas ( bud , flowers , leaf , stem ) are venomous to dogs , making no part of this industrial plant secure to manducate on . But what exactly is it about these stunning shrubs that make them toxic to our cuspid familiar ?

" They [ hydrangeas ] contain cyanogenetic glycosides interchangeable to that found inapple seeds , blab out , apricot , plum , andcherrypits , " says Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Renee Schmid , a older veterinarian toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline .

Although it may be alluring to remove all hydrangeas and anything that resembles them ASAP , there is some good news that might ease your trouble and make you reconsider .

Infographic showing the top ten toxic plants for pets

Kailey Whitman

" Even though hydrangea contain cyanogenic glycoside that are toxic to creature , the amount of hydrangea plant material a wiener would need to have for nitril toxic condition is very large , so poisoning rarely occur , " Schmid says .

Want to keep your hydrangea or begin to get them in your garden ? assay localise them in the front thousand away from your dearie or using agateto fencing them off from your furry friend .

Signs of Hydrangeas Poisoning in Dogs

With industrial plant unceasingly ranking on the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’top 10 preferred toxins leaning , it ’s important to know whatsigns of poisoningto look for if your domestic dog has gotten into hydrangeas .

When it number to hydrangea poisoning , Schmid enunciate the most typical symptoms are those have-to doe with to gastrointestinal ( GI ) temper .

" emesis , lethargy , anddiarrheaare most coarse to see , " she suppose . " If true cyanide poisoning were to occur , signaling admit hypotension , brick - carmine gum coloring , heart beat abnormalities , almond - flavour breath , hyperventilation , difficulty external respiration , low oxygen story , cyanosis , ataxia , and quake orseizures . "

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Hydrangeas

Uh - oh ! Did you regain your dog munching on hydrangeas ? assay not to panic . How your detent react to eating these plant will depend on how much he ate .

If it ’s only a few nybble , Schmid recommends monitoring at home for GI stress ( for example vomiting , diarrhea , expiration of appetite , drooling , or lethargy ) .

" If a orotund amount , admit the theme and leaves , were consume , your favourite should be taken to a DVM for decontamination and monitoring , " she say . you may also call the Pet Poison Helpline at ( 855 ) 764 - 7661 or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at ( 888 ) 426 - 4435 . Both are available 24/7 .

Other Toxic Plants

Hydrangeas are n’t the onlytoxic plant for dogsout there . Keep an eye out for these other toxicant varieties next clip you take your pooch to a friend ’s firm or outside for a walk :

Dog-Safe Alternatives to Hydrangeas

Not sure whether you should keep or remove hydrangeas from your garden ?

" I would not inevitably invalidate hydrangea if you have dogs , " Schmid say . " If they are constantlydigging upandchewing onyour plants , then they may be good to avoid . "

If Fido ’s preferred pastime is indeed sniff and taste - testing greenery , consider add together these safe shrub choice to your plant family :

Want more selection ? fortuitously , there are dozens ofdog - safe plant life , shrub , and treesyou can comprise into your home and garden .