This pet health content was reviewed for accuracy by a veterinarian, Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS. However, if you notice your pup acting weird several hours after removing the spines, chances are the pain might be too severe for him to handle. At first sight, a cactus might appear like a filling meal due to its fleshy leaves. If your dog got in a fight with a cactus and lost, here are some tools and tips to tackle removing needles. A cactus is a safe plant, as long as you purchase a non-toxic cactus. If you do bring anything toxic into your house, you need to ensure that it is out of reach of your pet. After applying the glue and gauze, wait 15-30 minutes for the glue to dry completely. When it is finished, you can remove the needles and peel off the glue. Ideally, you should use well-sterilized tweezers to pluck out all the thorns. Some cactus fruits are poisonous to dogs, but others are safe to consume in moderation. Most people work with a pair of tweezers. Check for symptoms like persistent barking, limping, low moods, poor appetite, and lethargy. It is thought that the sap substance released by the cactus plant has acidic properties that may cause mild to moderate effects on your dog. While the odds of your dog eating cactus arent too high, chances are he might want to get a taste of the plant if he crosses paths with it for the first time. As a result, youll need to be extra careful when adding cacti to your backyard or indoor setup as they can cause serious injuries to your furry friend. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The process of removing cactus spines from your dog should be hygienic. If you do not have white craft glue, rubber cement glue, masking tape, or tape, you can still use them. Start with a coarse comb to remove loose spines, but watch out blood mayspurt out of anentry point, so keep a styptic stick and gauze at the ready. If your dog has stomach pain or diarrhea, you should take him to the veterinarian. If you have a dog that is prone to chewing on plants, it is best to keep these cacti out of reach. It is helpful for pet parents should know the names of every plant in their homeincluding nicknames and Latin names. Because sharp spines can tear her intestines or stomach, you should always be on the lookout for any symptoms. As naturally curious pets, its common for dogs to have encounters with cacti, especially when they spot the strange-appearing plants for the first time. Removeindividual spines that remain withtweezers or forceps by pulling in the direction of the fur growth. Nonetheless, you need to make sure that your dog doesnt eat the cactus plant since you dont want to take such risks. Not only is it painful for your dog, but it can also prove traumatizing for you, especially when you see your pooch whining in distress. Before purchasing plants, you must conduct extensive research. Here are 10 facts you should consider before getting a cactus for your indoor or outdoor garden. Having a friend or family member (preferably an adult) hold the dog will ensure he remains in place while you attempt to remove the spines. In fact, I have propagated my personal collection from larger plants hailing from Washington, Massachusetts, and Northern and Southern California. Discover The Fascinating Process Of Cactus Reproduction Through Spines, Discover The Zip Code Of Cactus Texas: 79013, Unlock The Protein Power Of Cacti: Discover The Nutritional Benefits Of This Versatile Plant, The Edibility Of Cactus Fruit Seeds: Benefits Preparation And Consumption, Bring Your Rotting Coral Cactus Back To Life: Identifying And Restoring Tips, The Secret To A Healthy Christmas Cactus: Tips For Caring For Your Vibrant Holiday Plant, Shape Your Cactus: Learn How To Train Your Cactus To Grow In Any Direction. The biggest exception is the "Prickly Pear" cactus, which has large spines that can cause serious puncture wounds. First, you should sanitize the affected area with rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic. If dogs are allowed to consume cacti, they are not poisonous. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, some cactus species have developed poisonous traits as a result of their protective characteristics and the scarcity of water in the desert. Common ingredients like grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic are toxic to pets. Some people prefer to use glue on their own, but many have found that a thin layer of gauze over top is effective. Using adhesive tape, such as duct tape, can be used to remove small cactus spines that are stuck to the skin. While most cacti plants aren't poisonous to your pet, the chemical composition of the cacti sap can cause gastrointestinal ailments to your little canine friend. Treat a cactus spine as a puncture wound and use the right tools while dislodging it from your dogs skin. Pets should always be discouraged from eating plants in the house. Prepare to visit your veterinarians office or local animal emergency room for further care and removal. Still, this leaves you wondering, can dogs eat hamburger meat without, This post contains affiliate links.Many pet owners are starting to feed their dogs a diet outside of traditional kibble. Cactus spines are usually removed from dogs under general anesthesia; reconstructive surgery or grafts mayalso be necessary. If you can see a cactus needle, grab the end of it with a pair of tweezers and pull it out. As a result, this cactus emits oxygen at night and removes CO2 as opposed to most plants, making it a great bedroom plant. Petful is reader-supported. Once you have used the course comb to remove the loose spines from your dogs coat, remove the individual needles that remain with a pair of forceps or tweezers by pulling each one of them in the direction of fur growth. . In addition to gastrointestinal upset, skin irritation and eye irritation are common symptoms of poisoning. You should do everything you can to remove cactus splinters from the skin because they can be dangerous and harmful if left on the skin. The symptoms exhibited may vary greatly depending on your dogs size, age, and general health. Some use tweezers while others who have hunting dogs prefer [easyazon_link asin=B000W1Y9YU locale=US new_window=default nofollow=default tag=petsadvi-20 add_to_cart=default cloaking=default localization=default popups=default]hemostats[/easyazon_link]. You dont need to have vet-like expertise to remove cactus spines from your dog. If the pain persists or the wound becomes red, swollen, or warm, seek medical attention as soon as possible. If youre a fan of aloe veras spiked silhouette, consider a haworthia instead. Here Is Why your Christmas Cactus Doesnt Bloom, Where To Place Your Cactus To Ensure Good Feng Shui, How Are Desert Plants Adapted To Survive In A Desert, 11 Types of Monkey Tail Cactus You Can Grow At Home, 10 Amazing Large Cactus Plants With Names, 9 Types Of Haworthia For The Beginning Gardener, Rashes on the skin accompanied by moderate pain. Its easy to imagine how painful it is to be stuck by one of these cactus needles. Images via iStock.com/joloei and iStock.com/vichuda. You cant do much to help your dog before determining the affected areas. There are a few cacti that are poisonous to dogs if ingested. Certain plants can contain chemicals that could be harmful to your pets health. A tubercule is a type of base for cacti, in addition to areoles. Dont let your little friend suffer in pain as you watch. To reduce the chances of infection, its vital to have an antibiotic ointment on standby. It is recommended that the spines be allowed to dry before being peeled away. Its comforting to know that Christmas cactus (or its relative, the Easter cactus) isnt toxic to dogs in the parts or flowers of the plant. If the area becomes swollen, discharges ordoes not improve, make an appointment to see your vet immediately. There is some debate on whether or not cactus needles are poisonous to dogs, as some sources claim that they are while others claim that they are not. Vet treatment in these situations is the recommended option as hell most likely get sedated and wake up to find the spines expertly removed. As a westerner who is not concerned about his/her dogs. Last Updated on November 17, 2022. ADVERTISEMENT Remove the gauze with care. If the needle gets stuck deep beneath your skin, locate the tip farthest away from the entry wound and gently push it out with your bare hands. It is, in my opinion, difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Its also important to note that any plant, toxic or not, can cause problems for pets. All varieties should be kept away from pets. Dogs are natural explorers, and they will always want to smell or taste everything around them, including your indoor plants such as cacti. So what should you do in case your dog eats a cactus? Signs of cacti ingestion in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, appetite loss, stomach pain, excessive salivation, and nausea. Maintaining a calm demeanor during the removal process can help you avoid potentially serious health issues. However, this succulent can be poisonous to pets. But as your furry friend will likely find out the hard way, cacti are one of those plants that should be avoided at all costs. Since some breeds love chewing almost everything they come across, its important to train your dog as chewing a cactus aggressively can lead to fatal outcomes. The last thing you want to do is use your bare hands to remove cactus spines as you can also get injured or, even worse, introduce harmful bacteria to the wound. While you might easily remove the thorn on your own, your dog will be uncomfortable and will therefore be fairly resistant. Tocombate the cactus needles with the teeth between the cactus and the skin, slide a pair of dental tweezers between the cactus and the skin. If needles have been inserted into your pets mouth, he or she may also salivate or foam. After an incident with your indoor or outdoor cactus plant, your dog is likely to come back with spines all over his body. Consider doing your research first before adding one to your home; if you do your homework, you should be able to choose the one that is best for your needs. Because they can be difficult to propagate from cutting plants, if you want to incorporate one into your home, youll need to purchase a new one. Tiny Painful Plant Stickers: Plant stickers (eg, stinging nettle), cactus spines, or fiberglass spicules are difficult to remove because they are fragile. If you have any unusual reactions, consult with your doctor. Even if a dog bites a cactus, it is usually a safe pet. The answer to this question is that most of the cacti species are not poisonous. Fiberal plant materials, on the other hand, can cause irritation to the stomach and intestine, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. You can eat cacti if you want to, but they are not poisonous and will not harm your pets. Mold can be a problem in terrariums. These areas might need extra attention after plucking off the spines. While some Monkey Tail plants bloom, they are grown primarily for the unique appearance of their leaves. . Its normal for your dog to become unsettled after a cacti-spine removal process until he sleeps it off and forgets about the ordeal. Dr. Jennifer Freeman, a vet at Petsmart, insists that dogs should be handled with care and assessed phase by phase to determine the problem areas after an injury. It is best to avoid doing this to your dog. The spines on the cactus can also cause puncture wounds, so its important to keep your dog away from these plants. Despite the fact that spines may not regrow in the same place, plants may grow new ones in the same areoles. There is no danger to humans or pets, but watch out for their sharp spines. However, the excessive consumption of this kind of food might . The environment inside the terrarium is often quite dry and pleasant, creating the perfect conditions for mold to grow. Keep a styptic stick and gauze on hand if the blood starts to spurt from the entry point. This method will remove the majority of the thorns, and it can be used on any size of thorn. The right steps to take after your dog eats a cactus should depend on the extent of the injury. They will grow in full sunlight, partial shade or even indoors. So, is a cactus plant poisonous to your dog? Monkey tail cactus grow a long cylindrical stem. The best way to remove large thorns is to use a pair of hemostats. These hardy plants can thrive both indoors and outdoors, making them a favorite among both experienced gardeners and budding green thumbs. Can Dogs Eat Animal Crackers? As a result, it may lead to bruising, shedding blood, and dying tissues. Nonetheless, if your dog consumes large, hard spines of cacti, you should seek immediate medical attention. However, you should not feed your dog Christmas cactus leaves as a general rule. If your pet tries to remove the needles with his mouth or by kicking his legs, he may fail. The sight of a needle-covered dog will most likely have you running for the tweezers, but sometimes you should leave the spines for the professionals to deal with. Chives are easy to grow and can grow just about anywhere. Nopales, on the other hand, can be harmful to your dog and should not be consumed unless absolutely necessary. As a result, if the itching is too intense, a pumice stone is advised to polish areas that are not too sensitive. Before an incident occurs, you can familiarize yourself with some of the most common poisonous plants for dogs and cats that grow in your area or that friends might have as houseplants. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on this page. Most succulents are nontoxic to our pets, but some are dangerous and even poisonous. If you have a dog, watch out for the sweetener xylitol found in candy, gum, baked goods, and even toothpaste. 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