There are a great many wild plants and even more cultivated ones. It is not always clear whether they are safe.
Quick Answer: Coral Bells are not toxic to dogs. You don’t have to worry about your pet getting poisoned or hurt if heucheras grow in your garden.
Read also: How to Plant and Care for Coral Bells.
Are all parts non-toxic?
All parts of Coral Bells are non-toxic to dogs. This includes the leaves, stems, and roots. Whichever part your pet eats will be fine.
Some plants (not heuchera) have substances in their tissues that cause distension in a pet’s stomach. This is how the plant protects itself from being eaten.
Some animals, such as deer, can digest the leaves of almost any plant, even if they are toxic. This is how animals adapt to their habitat.
Don’t use pesticides
Plants often need to be protected from pests. Pesticides are the most effective protection against pests. However, as a result, plants become toxic not only to humans but also to dogs.
The same applies to organic pesticides. Neem oil, for example, works more as a repellent. But if a dog swallows part of a plant treated with neem oil, it can cause indigestion.
So, if you have a dog and need to treat Coral Bells, use only an organic product. In addition, restrict the animal’s access to the plant for a few days after treatment.
Companion plants
If you grow Coral Bells together with other plants, there is a risk that some of them may be toxic. So read this chapter to ensure that none of the plants in your bed are poisonous.
Among heuchera companions, the hosta is a toxic plant for dogs. All parts of this plant have been proven to contain saponins, which cause vomiting in dogs.
So, if you have hostas, keep them out of your pet’s reach. Or get rid of them.
Pulmonaria is the second toxic plant that is often planted with Coral Bells. This plant contains alkaloids in addition to saponins.
If the dog swallows a part of this plant, it can cause indigestion, diarrhea, and many other unpleasant consequences. Therefore, you should keep this plant away from your dog.
If your dog is poisoned, you should immediately go to the veterinarian. In most cases, the pet should remain healthy after the visit.
Other creatures
Coral Bells is non-toxic to dogs, which means it is also non-toxic to other animals. If you have a cat, horse, or any other pet, you have nothing to worry about because no harm will come to them.
The same is true for wild animals. Deer or rabbits will never get poisoned by this plant, not because it is not toxic but because their internal organs can digest even toxic plants (such as hostas).
In fact, heucheras need protection from animals and insects, not vice versa. For example, voles and weevils can cause considerable harm to these plants.
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