Is Cactus Bad for Dogs and Can They Eat It? Read More

 

Cactus, of course, is no exception. If you enjoy growing cactus indoors, you may worry if they are poisonous to your dog.

So, is cactus bad for dogs and can they eat it? Cactus plants generally aren’t poisonous to dogs, so feel free to keep one in your home with your pet. Despite this, you must watch out for your dog eating the cactus plant to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Continue reading to learn interesting facts about cacti and dogs.

Why Are Your Dogs Attracted To Cactus Plants?

Before we get into whether or not a cactus plant is dangerous to your dog, it’s important to understand why your furry friend enjoys consuming them.

First and foremost, all dogs are inherently curious creatures who enjoy sampling everything that comes their way. Because of this, you will most likely notice your pet stuffing his or her mouth with some of the strangest objects in your house.

According to scientific evidence, dogs enjoy exploring with their tongues. If your small companion always appears to find something interesting to chew on, this merely indicates that he is a voracious explorer, and there is nothing you can do to stop him.

Aside from that, dogs are omnivores who frequently prefer eating greens and vegetables. They enjoy eating plants because it provides them with roughage, which is not only a terrific source of vitamins but also helps your dog have healthier bowel movements and pass digested food through their intestines much more easily.

Moreover, because dogs are natural scavengers, don’t be surprised if you find your little friend scavenging for that piece of pizza from the garbage after you have just provided him with high-quality food. Simply put, nature is taking its course, and the dog has absolutely no control over the situation.

Dogs could go for several days, weeks, or even months without food when they lived in the wild. These instincts have remained with them to this day. Due to fear of famine, your dog will try to eat everything in his path, including your indoor cactus plant.

Additionally, boredom can be a significant factor in your dog’s decision to consume your cactus plant.

Medical Reasons

Other medical causes for your dog chewing on everything they come across, including the cactus plant, could be dental issues and dental disease.

Parasites are the most common offenders. If you feel that your pet is suffering from any health problems, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian for examination.

Is It Poisonous For Dogs To Eat Cactus Plants?

The cactus plant includes a fibrous plant material that can easily irritate your dog’s stomach and cause him to vomit and have diarrhea as a result of the irritation. If you use insecticides or fertilizer on your cacti, the chemicals in those could be harmful to your dog.

The sap of a cactus plant, in addition to being a possible allergen, can be dangerous to dogs who are prone to developing allergic reactions to certain plants.

Additionally, the spines can cause serious injury to your pet, which we are confident is something you do not want to happen.

Even though most cacti plants are not toxic to dogs, you should still keep your pet away from them. Avoid allowing your dog to consume the cactus because it can cause a variety of stomach problems in your canine companion. Always keep in mind that it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your pet at all times.

Signs You Should Watch Out For

Even while the cactus plant usually isn’t harmful to your dog, you should be concerned if you find that she’s eaten a large amount of it. Your dog may experience mild to moderate side effects from the sap generated by cactus plants, according to research. As a result, if you discover your pet has eaten some cactus, you must act promptly to prevent serious harm.

Depending on your dog’s size, age, and overall health, the symptoms shown can vary substantially. If your dog exhibits any of the following signs of distress, you should be concerned:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomachache
• Diarrhea

If your dog had ocular or cutaneous contact with the cactus but did not consume it, you may see the following symptoms:

• Swollen face and eyes
• Blindness, whether temporary or long-term
• Ulceration
• Rashes on the skin with some discomfort
• Blisters
• Burning
• Itching and burning of the skin

What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Cactus?

Protecting your dog from eating cactus or any other potentially deadly succulent plants in your home is as simple as making sure they are out of reach.

You’ll never have to worry about your pet again if you follow these simple steps.

If you can’t keep the plants out of your dog’s reach and he manages to eat a piece of the cactus plant, call your veterinarian right away.

Do not hesitate to call your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has eaten some sort of poisonous plant and is exhibiting symptoms like excessive salivation or vomiting and diarrhea.

How To Remove Cactus Spines From Your Dog

Cacti spines (needles) can get lodged in your pet’s mouth, feet, coat, eyes, and ears in addition to consuming the cactus plant. Cactus spines aren’t life-threatening, but they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your dog.

In fact, a severe cactus spine infestation may necessitate emergency veterinarian care. The removal of one or two needles, on the other hand, can be done safely and easily at home. If your pet becomes frightened, call your veterinarian right away so that the animal can be sedated before the needles are removed.

Removing The Cactus Needles

Inspect the area for the extent of infestation before beginning needle removal.

Also, always keep in mind that your dog may attempt to remove the spines using his teeth or by kicking his legs. Since the needles can quickly become dislodged and stick into your skin, you must exercise extreme caution.

When removing a cactus spine from your dog’s skin, treat it as a puncture wound and use the appropriate instruments. To get rid of the needles, you can use a relatively coarse comb. However, you must use caution, as blood may squirt out of the entry places. As a result, it’s a good idea to always have a styptic stick and some gauze handy.

If you’re worried you won’t be able to do this on your own, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

Once the loose spines have been removed from your dog’s coat with a coarse comb, use a pair of forceps or tweezers to remove the remaining needles, tugging each one in the direction of fur growth.

Prevent Bleeding

Be careful when removing the needles to clean up any blood and stop any bleeding. Antibiotic ointment should be applied to one portion of your dog’s body before you move on to the next. This is especially important if your dog has many spines.

Spine wounds should be treated with extreme caution because they provide an entry point for pathogenic germs. Make sure you have everything you’ll need available before you begin the removal process. If your dog’s needles get stuck in their mouth or eyes, they should be taken to the doctor right away.

Conclusion

When it comes to indoor plants like cacti, dogs are natural explorers and will want to smell or taste whatever they come into contact with. For a variety of reasons, animals are drawn to cacti, and it is your duty to keep them out of the reach of your pet.

Because of its chemical composition, the sap from some cacti plants, like the Pencil Cactus (Euphorbia tirucalli) might cause digestive problems in dogs. However, this is rare. Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, increased salivation, and nausea are all symptoms of canine cactus ingestion. As soon as you notice any of these symptoms and suspect your pet has eaten cacti, call your veterinarian right away. Don’t stand by and watch your pet suffer!

Have a cat? Check out our article “Is Cactus Toxic to Cats?“