petunias in a white pot outdoor

Petunias are beautiful flowers that are popular among gardeners with dogs because the plants are non-toxic to animals and people. Some people believe that since the flowers are so vibrant, that automatically makes them poisonous to dogs. This is not true, and the petunia is proof that not all pretty plants are poisonous.

The ASPCA lists petunias as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. If you see your dog munch one of these flowers in the garden, you don’t have to worry. No part of the plant is harmful to them.

However, just because petunias aren’t poisonous to dogs doesn’t mean they should be allowed or encouraged to eat them. Petunias aren’t necessary for a dog’s diet, and eating too much of anything outside of their regular diet could have negative results.

My Dog Ate a Petunia. Now What?

If you see your dog eat this flower, you don’t need to be alarmed. Maybe your dog was curious or bored and decided to see how the plant tasted. The plant is not harmful, so you don’t need to be concerned about it, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

If your dog eats a petunia and decides that this is fun for them, they may eat too many of the plants. They should not have unrestrained access to eating plants anywhere, even in your own garden. Your dog doesn’t know the difference between toxic and non-toxic plants. If they are allowed to eat petunias, they may eat other plants, including ones that may not be safe for them.

By teaching your dog to stay away from all plants, you’ll limit the risk of them ingesting something poisonous. Plus, you don’t want your hard work to go to waste. If you’ve planted petunias, you want to be able to enjoy them and not give your dog a buffet. Use garden fencing or hanging baskets to keep your pretty flowers out of your dog’s reach.

Eating too much of anything can cause your dog to have an upset stomach. While petunia plants are safe for consumption, too many may cause your dog to vomit, have diarrhea, lose their appetite, and become lethargic. If your dog is showing signs of being sick, contact your veterinarian right away.

Always check the plants that you wish to plant around your home or in your garden to make sure they are non-toxic to dogs.

purple petunias
Image courtesy of Pixabay

Final Thoughts

If your dog eats a petunia, you don’t have to worry. These plants are non-toxic and the most damage that will occur is to the plant. But even though petunias are safe plants, dogs should not be allowed or encouraged to eat them. They could cause your dog to have an upset stomach. Watch your dog for any signs of them not feeling well, but you likely won’t see any issues if they only ate a small amount of the plant.

Allowing your dog to eat plants may make them believe that any plant is okay to eat and may cause them to eat one that truly is poisonous. It’s best to keep your dog away from all plants and train them not to eat any to keep them safe.


Featured Image Credit: Pixabay