Five common garden plants that are toxic to your dachshund

The late great Redgie McPig aka "The Squash Eater"

As spring approaches, Southern California residents are prepping their yards for the warm weather. As you evaluate the plants in your garden, keep in mind that many of the Southland's most common plants can be deadly for your dachshund. 

If you have any of the following plants in your yard, be safe and either get rid of them or move them to an area your dachshund can't access.

Even though your pup might not show interest in a particular poisonous plant, he may change his mind in the future. Is it really worth the risk?

Oleander

Oleander (Nerium)
A native plant, this large, lush bush is ubiquitous to Southern California. Unfortunately, all parts can be fatal if ingested.

Lantana

Lantana (Shrub verbena)
Another common plant in Southern California, lantana can cause severe digestive upset, sluggishness, weakness, bloody diarrhea, kidney and/or organ failure and death.

Brugmansia aka Angel's Trumpets

Angel’s Trumpets (Brugmansia)
The beauty of this tree makes it a perennial favorite not only in Southern California, but in warm climates throughout the country. Angel's trumpets might be gorgeous and smell heavenly, but it is extremely toxic--all parts can be fatal if ingested.

Azalea

Azalea (Rhododendron)
A shrub that explodes with flowers from January until the first heat of summer, azaleas can cause stomach irritation, abdominal pain, abnormal heart rate and rhythm, convulsions, coma and neurological damage.

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia regenia)
Although not as toxic as many other Southern California plants, bird of paradixe can cause severe digestive upset.

Some of the most toxic plants are not native to our area. As with most other non-native plants, please don't add them to your yard, especially if your dogs can get to them. These plants include:

• Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium): Can cause rapid pulse, respiratory distress, dilated pupils, restlessness, nervousness, twitching, frequent urination, diarrhea, depression, weight loss, weak pulse, convulsions, coma and death
• Castor Bean (Ricinus communis): Highly toxic, can cause nausea, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, tenesmus, dehydration, shortness of breath, excessive thirst, weakness, muscle twitching, convulsions, coma and death
• Hemlock (Tsuga): Can cause dilated pupils, frothing at the mouth, muscle spasms, restlessness, convulsions and death within 15 minites to two hours
• Nightshade (Solanum): Can cause hallucinations, diarrhea, drowsiness, numbness, trembling, respiratory and cardiovascular distress, paralysis, bloat and death

For more info: For a complete list of toxic plants, click here.