True bamboo plants are non-toxic to dogs. However, some bamboo-named plants are poisonous for canines.
There are many plants with bamboo in their name, but not all of them are true bamboo species. Belonging to the Poaceae family, true bamboo varieties have tall but hollow stems. For example, the Phyllostachys aurea is non-toxic for dogs and cats as reported by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Lucky bamboo plants, however, are toxic to canine pets. It has many other names such as Belgian evergreen, Chinese water bamboo, corn/cornstalk plant, curly bamboo, dragon tree, goddess of mercy’s plant, lucky bamboo, Madagascar dragon tree, money tree, ribbon dracaena/plant, and Sander’s dracaena. As a dog parent, it’s best to be aware of these other names to prevent accidents from occurring.
What to do if your dog accidentally comes into contact with, chews, or eats bamboo plants: There is no cause for concern as long as it is a true bamboo plant. But if your dog brushes against or eats a fake bamboo plant, monitor him in the next 24 hours. Speak with your veterinarian on what to do. Also, take the plant away from him, and observe him for poisoning. Depending on which toxins are present in the plant, he may exhibit gastrointestinal, respiratory, and/or skin irritation.
Common poisoning symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, drooling, pale gums, nausea, tremors, convulsions, agitation, unsteadiness on feet, abnormal heart rate, and difficulty in breathing. If the toxic compound of the plant rubs against your dog’s skin, he may also have dry skin, small bumps, hair loss, and redness in the affected areas.
In summary: Keep your pooch safe by making sure you only expose him to true bamboo varieties. Aside from lucky bamboo, the heavenly bamboo is also toxic to dogs due to the cyanogenic glycosides found in the plant. Check these lists from ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline, and PetMD before bringing home a new bamboo houseplant.
References:
Dracaena sanderiana – Wikipedia
Dog poisoning: Signs of poisoning in dogs and what you need to do
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