Yuccas : A household plant that could kill your family pet

Yuccas are common additions to households across Australia, but one vet has warned the seemingly innocent plants can be deadly for pets.

Taking to Facebook, Canberra Veterinary Emergency Services staff shared a snap of a dog who had almost died after eating a portion of the plant. 

‘Yuccas are a hardy and aesthetically pleasing addition to many Australian gardens but did you know that they can cause a deadly THC-like toxicity for your pets?’ They wrote. 

Yucca plants are common additions to households across Australia, but one vet has warned the seemingly innocent plants can be deadly for pets 

Signs of intoxication in a pet 

Signs of intoxication can include:

– Sedation

– Weakness

– Drooling

– Muscle tremors and seizures.

‘Meet Kaos – he is a beautiful Kelpie X who enjoys landscaping in his spare time. While Kaos’ parents were away, he decided to help himself to the yucca tree in the yard and when they returned home, they found him seizuring and unresponsive and brought him straight down to CVES.’

The vets managed to control the seizures, were able to ‘de-contaminate much of the offending plant’ and slowly brought the dog back to normal awareness and responsiveness within 24 hours.

‘Please be aware that this popular garden feature is not as innocent as it seems,’ they wrote. 

While Kaos' parents were away, he decided to help himself to the Yucca tree in the yard and when they returned home, they found him seizuring and unresponsive and brought him straight down to CVES,' Canberra Veterinary Emergency Services wrote on Facebook

While Kaos’ parents were away, he decided to help himself to the Yucca tree in the yard and when they returned home, they found him seizuring and unresponsive and brought him straight down to CVES,’ Canberra Veterinary Emergency Services wrote on Facebook

‘Early recognition and decontamination are the mainstay of treatment (as with many intoxications) but certain therapies such as Intralipid and Activated Charcoal can also assist with binding already-absorbed toxins and are especially indicated in these types of toxicities.’

In most cases, the plant isn’t deemed toxic unless it is consumed in relatively large amounts. 

According to Pet Poison Helpline, the yucca plant contains ‘steroidal saponins’ which protect plants from insects and fungi.

According to Pet Poison Helpline , the yucca plant contains 'steroidal saponins' which protect plants from insects and fungi

According to Pet Poison Helpline , the yucca plant contains ‘steroidal saponins’ which protect plants from insects and fungi

When ingested by animals, ‘clinical signs of drooling, vomiting, weakness, incoordination and dilated pupils (cats) may be seen’.

‘This plant is more dangerous to large animals that are chronically grazing (eating) on this plant. Typically, when dogs and cats ingest yucca, it results in mild vomiting and diarrhea,’ the site reads. 

Saponins give the plant a bitter taste, so most animals would be uninterested after one bite.

Veterinarian Dr. Callum Turner told Wagwalking dead yuccas could potentially be more toxic than live ones. 

A list of the plants that are dangerous to pets can be found here. 



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