Dog Hazards & Toxins Every Tampa Owner Should Know

Infographic: 5 steps to cool a dog during heat stroke – Dynamic K9 Tampa.
Infographic: 5 steps to cool a dog during heat stroke – Dynamic K9 Tampa.

Causes

  • High heat + humidity (common in Tampa summers)

  • Overexertion on walks, play, or training

  • Lack of shade or water outdoors

  • Confinement in cars, garages, or poorly ventilated spaces

  • Short-nosed breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Frenchies) are at higher risk

Early Signs

  • Heavy panting, drooling, restlessness

  • Bright red gums or tongue

  • Weakness, wobbling, confusion

  • Vomiting or diarrhea

⚠️ Emergency signs: collapse, seizures, unconsciousness. Immediate vet care required.

How to Cool Your Dog

  1. Move to shade or air-conditioning

  2. Offer small sips of cool (not ice-cold) water

  3. Apply cool towels to belly, groin, and paw pads

  4. Use rubbing alcohol sparingly on paw pads, ears, or belly to disperse heat (don’t let dog ingest)

  5. Use fans/AC to speed evaporation

  6. See a vet immediately if symptoms are moderate or severe

Heat Stroke & Heat Exhaustion (Florida’s #1 Risk)

Hot Florida days can put dogs at serious risk. Unlike people, dogs don’t sweat much; they rely on panting and paw pads to release heat. When heat builds faster than it can escape, heat exhaustion or heat stroke can occur.

What To Do if Exposure Happens

  • Call your vet or nearest emergency hospital

  • Contact ASPCA Poison Control: 1‑888‑426‑4435 (fees may apply)

  • Contact Pet Poison Helpline: 1‑855‑764‑7661

  • Do not induce vomiting unless a vet instructs you

Puppy hiding among garden plants, a reminder of toxic plant risks for dogs.
Puppy hiding among garden plants, a reminder of toxic plant risks for dogs.

Quick Tips for Dog Owners

  • Supervise: Keep dogs away from garden beds and veggie patches.

  • Clean up: Rake leaves, berries, and cuttings promptly.

  • Check bouquets: Lilies and other flowers in arrangements can be just as dangerous indoors.

  • Vet help: If your dog chews or eats any of these, call your vet immediately.

Dog looking at grapes, chocolate and onions—food toxic to dogs.
Dog looking at grapes, chocolate and onions—food toxic to dogs.

Toxic Foods for Dogs

  • Grapes, raisins, currants → kidney failure

  • Xylitol (sugar-free gum/baked goods) → dangerous blood sugar crash

  • Chocolate & caffeine → heart/nervous system problems

  • Onions, garlic, chives → red blood cell damage

  • Macadamia nuts → tremors, weakness

  • Cooked bones → splintering, internal injury

  • Yeast dough → bloat, alcohol toxicity

Toxic Plants in Tampa & Florida Yards

  • Sago palm (all parts) → severe liver failure

  • Oleander → heart effects, vomiting

  • Azaleas/Rhododendrons → drooling, weakness

  • Lantana → liver and GI problems

  • Philodendron, Pothos, Peace lily → mouth irritation, drooling

  • Castor bean → ricin poisoning (life-threatening)

  • Wild mushrooms → varied, assume toxic

Dangerous Animals & Insects in Florida

  • Bufo (Cane) toads – highly toxic secretions; drooling, pawing at mouth, seizures, collapse. Immediate rinse and vet care.

  • Venomous snakes – rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, coral snakes; bites cause pain, swelling, bleeding. Emergency vet attention required.

  • Fire ants – painful stings; allergic dogs may react severely. Rinse, monitor, vet if swelling.

  • Bees/wasps/hornets – stings cause swelling, pain, possible anaphylaxis. Cool compress; vet if severe.

  • Spiders – black widow, brown recluse; rare but serious bites. Seek vet care.

  • Scorpions – painful stings, may cause tremors/distress. Vet check advised.

🌿 Poisonous Plants for Dogs (By Season)

Dogs are curious by nature, and many plants in our gardens and homes can be toxic if chewed or eaten. Here’s a season-by-season guide so you know what to watch out for year-round.

Spring plants toxic to dogs including daffodils, tulips, azaleas, hyacinths, crocuses, and iris.
Spring plants toxic to dogs including daffodils, tulips, azaleas, hyacinths, crocuses, and iris.
☀️ Summer Hazards

Summer means blooms and veggie patches. Watch out for both ornamental flowers and crops.

Toxic plants in summer:

  • Onions, garlic, and chives (Allium family)

  • Potato plants (Solanum tuberosum) – leaves & green/raw tubers

  • Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) – leaves & unripe fruit

  • Azalea / Rhododendron

  • Oleander (Nerium oleander)

  • Larkspur (Delphinium)

  • Laburnum (Cytisus)

  • Hydrangea (Hydrangea species)

  • Grapevines (Vitis vinifera) – grapes highly toxic

  • Ivy, Holly, Laurel, Rowan, Horse chestnut (carryover hazards)

🍂 Autumn Hazards

Autumn brings falling leaves, berries, nuts, and fungi — all extra tempting. Fallen conkers (horse chestnuts) and acorns can cause blockages.

Toxic plants in autumn:

  • Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)

  • Chrysanthemum

  • Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

  • Mushrooms / fungi (various species)

  • Mistletoe (Viscum album)

  • Holly berries (Ilex)

  • Horse chestnuts, acorns (gut blockages + toxins)

  • Oak leaves/acorns

  • Rowan berries

  • Cotoneaster berries

  • Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina)

  • Ivy and Yew (toxic year-round)

🌱 Spring Hazards

Spring brings bulbs and fresh growth — but bulbs especially are concentrated and dangerous.
Tips: Keep bulbs covered with mesh, avoid leaving dug-up bulbs where dogs can reach, and supervise in garden beds.

Toxic plants in spring:

  • Daffodils (Narcissus)

  • Tulips (Tulipa)

  • Hyacinth (Hyacinthus)

  • Snowdrops (Galanthus)

  • Iris and Gladioli (Iridaceae)

  • Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

  • Lilies (Lilium species)

  • Geranium (Pelargonium species)

  • Foxglove (Digitalis)

  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum)

  • Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)

  • Rhubarb leaves (Rheum rhabarbarum)

  • Laurel / Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

  • Oak (Quercus) — acorns and young leaves

  • Yew (Taxus)

  • Ivy (Hedera)

  • Horse chestnut (Aesculus)

❄️ Winter Hazards

Fewer plants bloom, but houseplants and holiday decor are common risks.

Toxic plants in winter:

  • Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

  • Holly berries

  • Mistletoe berries

  • Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

  • Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

  • Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)

  • Philodendron (Philodendron species)

  • Aloe Vera (Aloe species)

  • Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)

  • Yucca (Yucca species)

  • Cordyline / Dracaena species

Summer plants toxic to dogs including hydrangea, foxglove, oleander, larkspur, ragwort, and others.
Summer plants toxic to dogs including hydrangea, foxglove, oleander, larkspur, ragwort, and others.
Autumn plants toxic to dogs: horse chestnut, autumn crocus, chrysanthemum, fungi, amaryllis, yew.
Autumn plants toxic to dogs: horse chestnut, autumn crocus, chrysanthemum, fungi, amaryllis, yew.
Winter plants toxic to dogs including holly, ivy, snowdrops, poinsettia, and mistletoe.
Winter plants toxic to dogs including holly, ivy, snowdrops, poinsettia, and mistletoe.
Contacts

(813) 796 1006

John@Jabk9.com