Begonias, belonging to the family of Begoniaceae, are one of the most colorful and vibrant flower species that capture the minds of everyone.These inconspicuous flowers attract animals as well. Dogs and cats are fascinated by their vibrant petals.Begonias are mostly houseplants and because of their flamboyant appearance, these plants are the most in-demand for decorating the garden. Among other varieties, wax Begonias and tuberous Begonias are the most commonly kept varieties of plants. Due to their eye-catching beauty, these flowers cause excessive drooling in pets. Whether it is a dog or a cat, no one is spared from getting close to these splashes of colors, that are seen in the Begonia plant. However, these vibrant flowery plants are not safe for pets. Both dogs and cats need to be protected from getting close to the Begonias. Certain toxic compounds are present in various parts of the Begonia plant, which can lead to the development of several adverse events if their ingestion takes place in dogs or cats. The roots of the Begonia are considered to be the most dangerous site from which the pets can develop acute toxicity in their body. Hence, it is absolutely necessary to keep the dogs and cats away from these houseplants. It is also important to know the various ways to keep the pets away from this beloved plant, so that any kind of adverse event related to our pets, can be prevented.If you enjoyed this article, why not also read about are azaleas poisonous to dogs and are beans a vegetable here on Kidadl?Steps To Consider If A Dog Eats BegoniasThe primary concern for all pet moms and dads is to look after their pets with utmost care and to provide them with the best in order to keep them healthy. But who can really stop a curious-minded dog or cat to go on a quest? Thus, it is a mandate for the pet parents to be prepared for any kind of situation so that immediate action can be taken to eradicate any possibility of seriousness.The pet may show several adverse signs and symptoms upon ingesting the Begonias. Vomiting, diarrhea, and severe irritation in the mouth and tongue are some of the signs that we need to assess. The very first measure that should be adopted is to rinse the mouth of the dog or cat thoroughly to get rid of any remaining bits of the Begonia plant. The tuberous portion of the toxic plants contains calcium oxalate, which may cause irritation in the mouth and oral cavity, including the food pipe. Thus, it is advised by some vets to feed the pets with milk or any kind of milk product, like cheese or yogurt.This will help in easing out the burning pain or irritation by precipitation of the calcium oxalate crystals. If diarrhea persists for a long time, then oral rehydration therapy should be provided. The ingested particles of the toxic Begonia flowers can cause vomiting due to irritation in the gastrointestinal lining. This particular adverse event may also cause difficulty swallowing the medicines or food. Thus, it is important to consult the vet to prevent further poisoning in their body. Early treatment can flush out the toxins, which may lead to kidney failure in some dogs and cats.Actions To Take In Order To Keep Dogs From Eating BegoniasAs we all know, prevention is better than cure, the best way to keep the dogs and cats away from the toxic flowers of Begonia is to not have them around your pets. But of course, this is not the only solution we can choose to keep our pups away from these.Keeping in mind the health of the precious pet dogs and cats, these flowering plants should be rooted at far away distances and away from their access. As the roots are the most dangerous part of the plant, it should be well monitored that the pets do not get a chance to dig the soil of these toxic plants. Sometimes, the flowers and stems are also eaten by the dogs, which leads to excessive drooling and can cause vomiting. These toxic plants contain poisonous chemicals like calcium oxalates, which are particularly present in the stem or bulb of the plant. Therefore, common advice is to trim off the toxic stem tips of the plant in the garden during spring, to prevent their ingestion by the dogs and cats.Adverse Events Noticed In Dogs After They Eat BegoniasThe poisonous Begonia plants contain certain chemicals that cause a burning sensation in the mouth, lips, and oral cavities. The toxicity of the flower could also lead to acute diarrhea and severe dehydration. Chronic abdominal pain can also persist which may be a sign of kidney disease.The symptoms that are quite common and are noticeable immediately after the stem or bulb of the plant is eaten, include vomiting and discomfort in the animal. If left untreated or if the animal does not eat for prolonged hours, then this could be a sign of deteriorating health. It is advised to contact and seek the services of the vet immediately to prevent any life-threatening condition. Depression is also a common sign and can cause tremors in extreme cases. The excessive presence of toxic oxalates may also lead to death in the pet dog.Toxic Effects Of Begonias In DogsThe common species of Begonia contains certain compounds that are toxic to dogs. These compounds are calcium oxalate, cucurbitacin B, and idioblasts. These chemicals, when ingested, accumulate in the mouth and stomach of the dog and thus, cause discomfort in them.A number of adverse effects are seen in the pets immediately after they ingest the flower and stem of these plants. Vomiting is a common effect after the toxins are ingested. Other conditions like renal failure and abdominal disorders can happen. The roots of this plant are the most toxic to dogs and cats and can cause severe depression in pets if an excess amount of soil is ingested. Even death can take place in extreme cases. Therefore, these plants are considered to be highly lethal in animals, though they appear to be flashy and vivid. The pets should be closely monitored if they are close to these plants and also, necessary steps should be taken to prevent them from digging up the soil.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! 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Begonias, belonging to the family of Begoniaceae, are one of the most colorful and vibrant flower species that capture the minds of everyone.
