Is it possible for this bright, yellow flower to be toxic to dogs?Marigolds may make you smile but some species of this plant can be toxic for your pets. Read on to see how exposure to the marigold plant can affect your pets.Marigold, or Calendula, is a bright flowering plant that belongs to the family Asteraceae. Owing to the beautiful orange or yellow marigold flowers, many humans love to have them in their gardens or as indoor plants. But is the marigold flower toxic for your pets? Most websites will confuse you regarding this orange flowering plant. Some say it is toxic while others say it is not.The truth of the matter is some variants of the marigold are toxic while others are not. For example, pot marigolds have been declared non-toxic. On the other hand, the French variant that belongs to the Tagetes genus is mildly toxic. Ingestion of the flowers or any other part of the plant will cause mild health issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, irritation around eyes, nose, fur, and so on. Most of the symptoms will settle down on their own and would rarely require the services of a vet. Whether it is contact dermatitis or digestive issues, the veterinary clinic will advise a suitable treatment plan.Nevertheless, it is best to protect your dog from these garden flowers. If you do not want to remove the marigold flower from your garden or home, then you can keep it away from your dog by netting the plant or fencing the area.Learn more facts about marigold toxicity. Here are some more fun animal facts like where do chihuahuas come from and are mums poisonous to dogs that you can check out.Pot Marigolds Are Not Poisonous To DogsPot marigolds are not toxic to dogs. However, if large quantities of its flowers are ingested by your dog then it can develop some mild skin or gastrointestinal issues.American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has declared pot marigolds, or Calendula officinalis, a nontoxic plant for both dogs and cats. So, your dog should not be affected when it consumes the calendula variant. Mild skin irritation and digestive issues can be experienced if your dog decided to make a meal of marigold flowers. This is primarily because your dog’s sensitive stomachs do not have the necessary enzymes to correctly break down these hardy annuals. And not because Calendula or pot marigold is toxic to dogs.Instead, marigolds, which fall under the Tagetes species, are what cause mild toxic reactions. The sap found on this type of marigold can cause skin allergies. If any variant of Tagetes (French or African marigolds) is ingested then your dog could develop mild health issues like vomiting, diarrhea, skin redness, and stomach pain. These mild problems may go away on their own or may require you to take the services of a vet.Therefore, having a pot marigold in your garden or home poses very little threat to your dog. But do keep an eye on your pup, especially if it’s known to be sensitive, to prevent any signs of plant poisoning.Tall African Marigolds Are Poisonous To DogsThe toxicity of African marigolds is still being researched. Dogs that are highly sensitive can suffer from allergies if they come in contact with this species.African marigolds, or Tagetes erecta, are the tallest type of marigolds when compared to pot marigolds and French marigolds. Generally, their pungent odor generally keeps pet animals at bay. But if your adventurous pup eats this marigold flower then it can face skin allergies and stomach upset, especially if it is known to be sensitive to plants.The same is true for cats. Skin irritation will be visible if your cat has eaten the marigold flowers. For mild irritation, wash the fur with water and soap and your pet should be fine. If you suspect something serious, a visit to the vet may be necessary.Different Breeds Of Dogs Are Affected The Same AmountAll dog breeds will be affected by the marigold plant in the same way. Symptoms vary depending on the amount ingested.Marigolds contain phototoxic thiophene derivatives, which, when ingested by your pet, can cause stomach problems, vomiting, and skin irritation. This will be true for all breeds of dogs and even if you have cats. The cell sap of the marigold plant irritates the throat resulting in these symptoms.In case you suspect your dog has been affected by marigold poisoning, visit the nearest veterinary clinic for treatment. No need to panic though as normally, most of the health issues are mild. Just follow your vet’s advice and your pup will be back to its healthy self.Keeping Your Dog Away From MarigoldsYou can adopt some simple tips to keep your dogs and cats away from marigolds. This includes creating a separate garden space for your doggies, covering flowers with nets, erecting fences, or spraying the marigolds with natural repellants.Animals love to explore when they are let out in the garden. It will help you create a dedicated space for your pets to play in the garden that is away from not just the marigolds but other flowering plants.You can also cover the plants with a net or mesh that prevents direct contact. Or you can build a fence around the marigolds. In the case of indoor marigold plants, just keep them out of reach from your pet.A major reason for your pet’s attraction to marigolds is its intoxicating fragrance. You can deter this attraction by spraying your marigolds with natural repellents like mixing capsaicin with water.However, if your dog is sensitive then the best advice is to not plant any type of marigold in your garden. For sensitive dogs, ingestion of marigold flowers can cause an upset stomach or skin problems.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are marigolds poisonous to dogs then why not take a look at are lilacs poisonous to dogs, or Belgian sheepdog facts pages.
Is it possible for this bright, yellow flower to be toxic to dogs?
