Clematis plants are pretty flowers that are common in gardens. But pet owners should know that these plants can be harmful to pets. Clematis contains chemicals that can make dogs and cats feel sick. While it’s usually not deadly, it’s best to keep pets away from it.
How Clematis Affects Dogs and Cats
Clematis has a substance called ranunculin. When pets chew on the leaves or stems, this turns into a harmful chemical. All parts of the clematis plant are toxic, but younger leaves have more of the harmful chemical. Older leaves and dried plants are less toxic. It’s important to note that clematis is related to the buttercup, which is known to be more dangerous.
Luckily, clematis tastes bad to pets, so they often don’t eat much of it. Still, even a small amount can make them feel sick, especially if they are small or have health problems.
How Clematis Affects People
Clematis can irritate people’s skin too. If you handle the plant, it’s a good idea to wear gloves.
Signs of Clematis Poisoning in Pets
If your dog or cat eats clematis, they may show these signs:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Scratching their mouth or face
- Stomach pain (they may cry or hunch over)
- Mouth blisters or pain
- Tremors or seizures (rare)
- Skin rashes
In rare cases, pets can get a rash from touching the plant’s sap. Most pets will feel better quickly with the right care from a vet.
What to Do If Your Pet Eats Clematis
If you think your pet ate clematis, call your vet right away or the Pet Poison Hotline at (855) 764-7661. Don’t try to make them throw up unless the vet says it’s okay. Treatment costs may be between $200 and $3,000.
Bring the plant to the vet if you can, and tell them how much your pet ate and when. This helps the vet give the right treatment.
How Vets Treat Clematis Poisoning
The vet will use your pet’s symptoms and a check-up to figure out if they have clematis poisoning. They may do blood tests to check your pet’s health.
Treatment may include:
- Washing their mouth to remove any plant parts
- Giving fluids to prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea
- Medicine to stop vomiting
- Medication to treat diarrhea and help pass the plant from the body
Most pets recover quickly, especially with early treatment.
How to Stop Clematis Poisoning
To prevent your pet from eating clematis, keep the plant away from them. Here are some ways to do that:
- Plant clematis where pets can’t reach it.
- Use barriers, like fences, to stop them from getting to it.
- Train your pet to stay away from the plant.
- Keep your pet busy with safe toys to keep them from chewing plants.
- Check if your pet is lacking something in their diet that makes them want to chew on plants.
- Use products that keep pets from chewing plants.
Different Types of Clematis
There are over 300 kinds of clematis. Some have bigger flowers. These plants come in different types, depending on when they bloom and how they grow.
Some clematis groups include:
- Atragene Group: Small, bell-shaped flowers that bloom early
- Evergreen Group: Blooms in winter with nice leaves
- Herbaceous Group: Doesn’t climb, dies back every year
- Montana Group: Big, fragrant flowers
- Orientalis Group: Yellow flowers
- Viticella Group: Strong climbers with long blooming seasons
Common clematis varieties include Guernsey Cream, Parisienne, and Jackmanii. All types can be harmful to pets, but some, like Clematis tangutica and Clematis recta, are the most toxic.
Conclusion
Clematis is a beautiful plant, but it can make pets sick. The plant has toxins that can cause a range of symptoms, from mild to severe. Thankfully, the plant’s bitter taste usually stops pets from eating too much. To keep your pets safe, keep clematis out of their reach and consider using safe methods to distract them from plants. If you think your pet ate clematis, call a vet right away. With the right care, your pet will likely be okay.