Chrysanthemum is highly toxic for dogs

The chrysanthemum is a very popular autumn flower in gardens, on balconies or in the vase. It belongs to the family Asteraceae. There are over 40 species and over 5000 varieties, most of which are found in East Asia and China. They are very closely related to asters. In China, the Shih Tzu dog breed is said to have a face resembling a chrysanthemum flower because of its circular hair growth.

Chrysanthemums are flowering plants up to 1 metre high. They can grow as annuals as well as perennials and subshrubs. Their leaves are divided into leaflets with toothed or occasionally smooth edges. The flowers look very different depending on the species and many have been bred to bear many rows of ray florets in a great variety of colours. We often find them in bright yellow, red, orange or even purple or white. Basically, every colour except blue can occur.

While some Chrysanthemum species are even edible for humans, others are highly poisonous for humans and dogs. In general, you should assume that the common chrysanthemums found in flower shops and garden centres are among the plants that are poisonous to dogs. They are often treated with pesticides and artificial fertilisers, which can also be dangerous for your dog.

All parts of the chrysanthemum are highly poisonous: the leaves, the stems, the flowers and also the sap. They contain pyrethrins.

Chrysanthemum is also known as:

• mum
• chrysanth

POISONINGS REQUIRE QUICK REACTION:
If your dog shows symptoms of poisoning, it is always an emergency! Time is critical for your dog's life. You should immediately call your vet or the animal emergency services and make sure that a vet is on site and then go there immediately. For the treatment, it helps the vet a lot to know what your dog has ingested.