Having a pet is an immense responsibility, hence it is important that pet parents should be cognisant of the care and environment they provide to their most precious family member.

Sometimes unknowingly we forget to pet-proof our homes and this can be hazardous to your furry friend's health. Plants, for example, might seem harmless but they can prove to be dangerous for your pets. Indoor plants, plants in your garden, or even a bouquet of flowers - some of these could pose a serious threat to the pets in the house. Dr. Vinod Sharma, Head of Veterinary Services at DCC Animal Hospital, shared the list of plants that should be avoided at home if you are having pets:

Amaryllis
Amaryllis has bright lily-like flowers and fascinating leaves; amaryllis is a stunning flower that can add a wow factor to any room during winter.

But this beautiful flower is also extremely harmful to your pets. In fact, it is toxic to all animals, not just dogs or cats. The bulbs, leaves, and stem of this plant contain phenanthridine alkaloids, which causes an adverse reaction in your pets. If an animal ingests any part of amaryllis, it could vomit or salivate excessively. Large amounts could cause diarrhoea and shaking. Other symptoms include a sore stomach and a drop in blood pressure.

Daffodils
Daffodils are another gorgeous plant that pose danger to your pet. If you have a pet rabbit, it could nibble on it and be fine. But, if you have a bird, cat, or dog - they may be at risk.

The reason why Daffodils are dangerous is that the plant contains an alkaloid called lycorine. There are some other toxins called glycosides also present in all parts of the plant and in concentrated quantities in the bulb. This could be especially bad for the dogs who have a penchant for digging up the garden beds.

Daffodil poisoning in pets causes severe diarrhoea, tremors, drooling, and vomiting. Cats and birds sometimes experience seizures. In birds, it could even be fatal if ingested in excessive amounts. Cats can also experience heart arrhythmia and breathing trouble.

Dogs, in milder cases, may just experience the 'daffodil itch', a reaction caused by coming into contact with the plant's sap. Although dogs recover in a few days it's important to monitor the symptoms.

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Lilies
Lilies are a beautiful plan but they should be kept away from pets. All kinds of lilies have a bad effect on pets, especially birds and cats. Everything about the plant is toxic to animals, even the water inside the vase.

Depending on the type of lily ingested, the effects can be varied. Cats, dogs, and birds experience irritation in the mouth and the digestive tract. If you see your pet pawing at its face and the lips are swollen you may need to check what they nibbled on. They could also be nauseous and vomiting.

But there are some lily types that are far more dangerous and can be avoided completely, especially by cat owners. Easter lilies and Tiger lilies could be fatal for your cat as any part of these plants could cause a sudden kidney failure.

Morning glory
Morning glory is a great addition to gardens. The vine looks exquisite with its vibrant colors. But they are an absolute no-no for cats, dogs, and birds. There is a chemical present in this plant called lysergic alkaloids. It can cause a severe reaction in pets like vomiting, tremors, dilated pupils, and even liver failure in some cases. Another animal that should be kept away from morning glory is a horse.

The lysergic alkaloids are most concentrated in the plant's seeds and are eerily similar to the chemicals found in LSD. If a bird or cat or even dog munch on these seeds they could experience hallucinations, causing confusion and lethargy.

Poinsettia

Poinsettia plants may not be as toxic as the others listed here but they can still cause mild irritation in certain pets.

Cats and dogs may experience mild vomiting and drool after ingesting the plant's sap. This milky sap has chemicals, diterpenoid EU phorbol esters, that cause these adverse effects. If your cat or dog gets this sap on its skin, it could become inflamed and itchy. Severe poinsettia poisoning is rare in cats and dogs, but birds are affected more severely.