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With its huge, beautiful leaves, the Fiddle Leaf Fig, also called Ficus lyrata, adds elegance, height, and drama to the covers and images of numerous design magazines. Despite being a beautiful and colorful houseplant, pet parents are concerned about the Fiddle Leaf Fig. The plant is poisonous when consumed and is not suitable for pets. To learn more about fiddle leaf figs and their toxicity to pets, continue reading.
Today, there are about 450 different types of philodendron plants and bushes. Native to the U.S. tropics, these climbing vines and plants are rich in green with copper, purple, and scarlet undertones. They are a favorite plant among many homeowners due to their beautiful appearance and aesthetic properties.
The leaves of the fiddle leaf plant have a distinctive shape; many of them are long, thin, and rounded. Different species do have different leaves, and this varies depending on the type and maturity of the plant. Depending on the species, these climbing plants may also have tiny berries. Many people appreciate the greenery both inside and outside of their homes and workplaces, and this variety of plant is native to the low elevations of many rain forests.
In the wild, this vine plant is regarded as an epiphyte, or a plant that coexists with other plants, and it can reach heights of over six feet. However, many owners decide to keep it clipped back for cosmetic reasons while growing it inside, like in pots.
The fiddle leaf plant, often known as the fiddle leaf philodendron, is poisonous to dogs despite being a common choice among homeowners. When chewed, the insoluble calcium oxalates in this plant instantly enter the dog’s oral tissue.
Dogs that consume fiddle leaf poisoning do so because the plant’s natural defensive mechanism is the absorption of toxic, insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
Your dog may quit immediately after consuming a fiddle leaf since the shard-like crystals cause excruciating agony after only one bite or chew. The crystals will, however, penetrate the dog’s digestive tract if he persists. Fiddle leaf poisoning symptoms can include:
As the fiddle leaf philodendron has so many names, many dog owners keep it in their homes without even realizing how deadly it is. This plant has the following types of names:
You should take your dog to the vet right away if you suspect that he may have bitten into a fiddle leaf plant. When you arrive at the veterinary clinic, the practitioner will ask you questions about the amount consumed and the interval between chewing or eating the leaf or leaves and the appointment time.
Since many dogs who consume the poison from the leaves may experience severe discomfort and an allergic reaction in the mouth area, the veterinarian will start washing out the mouth right away. To assess organ function and identify any high phosphorus, protein, or enzyme levels, the veterinarian will conduct blood testing, a urinalysis, and a biochemistry profile.
She will additionally look for any other notable anomalies the dog might be experiencing as a result of the situation involving the consumption of calcium oxalate crystals, generally referred to as raphides. Dogs typically stop after just one bite because the fiddle leaf has a quick, natural defensive mechanism that is quite uncomfortable.
The veterinarian will conduct the tests she deems necessary to examine the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal system more closely if your dog has consumed a significant amount of the plant.
Your dog may receive oxygen therapy and intravenous fluid therapy while in the vet’s office to begin some stabilizing techniques while he is receiving a diagnosis. The veterinarian will know what to do while reaching a conclusive diagnosis because they are well-versed in plant poisonings.
The symptoms your dog is experiencing and the quantity they consumed will determine the best course of action. In certain circumstances, if the plant was not eaten, therapy is limited to the face or mouth region. Among the possible treatment approaches are:
If your dog has ingested any of the plant, you may need to induce vomiting. This will assist your dog in getting rid of the stomach contents. To stop additional absorption into the bloodstream, the veterinarian will then give activated charcoal. It might be necessary to administer activated charcoal more than once.
IV fluids may be administered to keep your dog’s temperature normal and to avoid dehydration from any vomiting or diarrhea they may have experienced. Additionally, IV fluids work well to support renal function and urine.
It will be crucial to keep an eye on your dog over the entire therapy process. In order to assess how your dog is responding to the treatment, the veterinarian may do additional tests while it is being administered. The veterinarian will continue to take his temperature, perform blood tests, examine the functioning of his organs, and perform any additional evaluations she deems essential.
To help your dog get fresh oxygen and maintain steady breathing throughout the procedure, oxygen therapy will be administered. If the histamines created by the calcium oxalate crystals cause your dog’s esophagus to swell, oxygen therapy may be administered by intubation.
Despite the seriousness of fiddle leaf plant poisoning, your dog may recover with prompt treatment; the prognosis is favorable in this case. Following your veterinarian’s advice on how to take care of your dog at home is crucial once he has given the all-clear to bring your dog home. Your pet will still be recuperating, so it will be crucial to provide him lots of time to rest. Since he still needs to take it easy, steer clear of hard play and much outdoor time.
As your pet’s stomach heals from any vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal distress, your veterinarian could also advise a bland diet. She might advise you on what to feed him or suggest a prescription diet. Until he fully heals, this diet will only be in place temporarily.
Although fiddle leaf figs are lovely and look great in any setting, they can be problematic if you have dogs, cats, or other pets that enjoy nibbling on the leaves of houseplants! “Are Fiddle Leaf Figs Poisonous to Cats, Dogs, or Other Pets?” was the inquiry we addressed.
It might be simpler to pick a new plant entirely, but if you Want a fiddle (and we don’t blame you at all!), you should know the dangers and the symptoms to look out for in case your pet eats some of your fiddle or gets the sap on its skin. Additionally, it’s always beneficial to know a few easy strategies to keep your dogs away from your plant!
