As pet parents, we are often worried about the things we have around our canine pals. While we all love having plants in our homes, we must be careful because some plants can be toxic to our canine friends. Aloe vera is one of those plants. The aloe vera plant and all its parts are toxic to dogs, so it’s best to keep the plant away from your canine.
They are attractive plants that are easy to tend to and have few health benefits. However, aloe vera is super dangerous for your pets. We’ll talk about the level of toxicity for dogs from the Aloe Vera plant and more below.
What Makes Aloe Vera Toxic to Pets?
Aloe Vera is considered mild to moderately toxic to dogs and can cause stomach upset, gastrointestinal distress, and more. Compounds in Aloe Vera called Aloin A and B and anthraquinone glycosides can lead to purgative effects. The latex in aloe vera can cause dehydration from diarrhea, and it’s a very powerful natural laxative if eaten.
Aloe vera gel is often used in skin products and does have healing effects but it should not be licked off by your dog.
What Are the Signs of Aloe Vera Toxicity in Dogs?
If you keep an aloe vera plant in your home, try to keep it up where your dog can’t reach it, as curious dogs could eat the plant and become sick. You should be on the lookout for a few signs regarding aloe vera poisoning in your dog.
Signs of Aloe Vera Toxicity in Dogs
- Irritant dermatitis
- Stomach pain
- Refusing to eat
- Loss of interest in play and exercise
- Diarrhea
- Trembling
- Weak limbs, problems standing
- Dark-colored, red or orange urine
- Vomiting
If your pet displays any of the signs on this list, you need to get your pet to a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
How Dangerous Is Aloe Vera to Your Pet?
Aloe vera contains some of the milder toxins compared to other hazardous plants. However, that depends on how much of the aloe vera plant the dog ingests. A few tiny bites may not be concerning, but a large portion can be harmful. Most canines will recover from aloe vera poisoning with supportive veterinary care and causing no lasting effects.
How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Your Aloe Vera Plant
While the best way to prevent your dog from being poisoned by this plant is not to have it in your home, there are a couple of ways to keep your pet from getting to the plant as well.
Keep the plant higher up than the dog can reach; you can place it on a high windowsill, a shelf, or a counter. Luckily, dogs aren’t quite as bad as cats about climbing to get into things. If your dog shows a keen interest in your aloe vera plant, try locating it in another room or keeping it in a room where your dog isn’t allowed. You can also try training your dog to leave the plant alone, but that’s not going to work in every case.
Conclusion
Aloe vera is toxic to dogs. Ingesting the plant can make your dog sick, and require supportive veterinary care. If you are worried that your dog has ingested any part of your aloe vera plant, it’s best to make an appointment with your vet for diagnosis and treatment. Keep the aloe vera away from your pet by putting it on a high shelf or in a room the dog can’t get into. If this doesn’t work for you, it’s time to get rid of the aloe vera plant to keep your canine pal safe, healthy, and happy.
Featured Image Credit: casellesingold, Pixabay
