…can add variety and interest to their diets. Plants can provide some essential nutrients such as fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals that are essential to the animal??s health. However, some plants can also be harmful to small animals if eaten, causing illness, distress, discomfort and potentially death. Rabbits and guinea pigs are natural herbivores and in the wild live on a variety of green plants, roots and fruits.Needless to say, they will enjoy some of these in their diet in captivity. You can become familiar with the plants that your small animal prefers and this guide will assist you in identifying plants that may be harmful to your pet, thereby avoiding potential dangers. You should be aware that small animals may not instinctively avoid poisonous plants. If you are at all unsure of identifying safe plants and weeds in your garden, do not attempt to feed your pet with them as you may inadvertently feed a poisonous plant.

What harm can plants do to small animals?

Eating poisonous plants can affect your pet in a variety of ways. Symptoms range from a stomach upset to possibly, death. Other symptoms include salivation, skin allergies and heart and breathing difficulties. Many small furries are incapable of vomiting, so harmful plants usually inducing this symptom maygo undiagnosed. They may undergo physiological stress after ingesting those which are irritating to the digestive tract. If your pet is running free, the garden can be a very dangerous place, particularly if you are not familiar with harmful plant.

Dangerous Plants

The following are plants that are harmful to small animals. If you are unsure of what any of these plants look like, pictures can be found in books from your local library, or ask for advice at your local garden centre. Amongst the most poisonous are species such as: anemone, azalea, bittersweet,bryony, caladium, cyclamen, columbine, dogmercury, figwort, deadly nightshade, woody nightshade, poppies, ragwort, buttercups,daffodils, bluebells, foxglove, hemlock, spurges, kingcup, marsh marigold,monkshood, meadow saffron, mistletoe, St.Johns wort, Leyland cypress, fools parsleyand hellebore.

Your garden may also contain cultivated plants that may cause illness such as: dahlias, lupins, chrysanthemums, delphinium, lilyof the valley, tulips, iris, morning glory, antirrhinums, lobelia, fig,Jerusalem cherry, juniper, hyacinth, privet, yew, laburnum, lordsand ladies, ivy, philodendron, rhododendron, wisteria, clematis,holly and most evergreen trees.

For a more exhaustive list or further information the RSPCA have some great content on their website, or you can always contact the experts directly vis our supremepetfoods website!