Non-Toxic

We were watching tv tonight and we heard this phrase:

"Anything we use on or feed to our dogs is plant-based so it is completely 100% non-toxic".

I laughed uncomfortably.

It is VERY IMPORTANT to know the difference between plant-based and non-toxic. They are absolutely not, I repeat NOT synonymous.
Especially when dealing with our pets, it is of vital importance to know and understand that many plants and homegrown foods are toxic and dangerous for pets. There are many plants that are just as toxic to humans.

On the ASPCA website alone, it lists over four hundred different plants that are known to be toxic to the majority of dogs specifically. The website also has a disclaimer that this is not a complete comprehensive list, but that it lists the plants that we are most commonly in contact with.

The same is true for humans - just because something is plant-based does not automatically make it healthy or non-toxic. Poison Ivy is an obvious example, as well as Sweet Peas, Nettles, Poison Oak, Ragweed, Cattails, Datura, the pits of various fruits, Salvia, etc...  One of the most toxic substances to ingest (as we have learned over recent years) is sugar - which is also plant-based.

So is Cocaine.

Food for thought.
As always - please read the ingredients, for you and your pets.