Red & Yellow Bird of Paradise (Desert)

Caesalpinia gilliesii

Toxic part: Pods and seeds Symptoms: Severe gastroenteritis

"Both humans abnd cattle have been poisened from these seeds but usually recover. In 1962 at Lodi, San Joaquin county, [California] six children became ill from eating seeds of this plant; all recovered."

From "Poisonous Plants of California."

Many plants are toxic. Unless your dogs browse your plants I don't think it would be an issue. I grow brugmansia and other toxic plants and my deck and I have three dogs. They couldn't be less interested in eating them.

If you look at the stems of these plants, they are fierce with thorn-like structures along the entire thing. I have several forms of this plant in my gardens and no animals has browsed them, certainly not a dog. I think it's safe.