Hazardous Plants for Dogs

Dogs explore the world with their noses—and sometimes their mouths. Puppies are especially good at chewing first and asking questions later.

Many common houseplants, flowers, shrubs, and landscaping plants can cause problems if eaten. Some may cause mild irritation or stomach upset, while others can be much more serious.

You don't have to remove every plant from your life, but it is worth knowing what's growing in your home and yard.

Common Plants to Watch For

Sago Palm

Highly toxic.

All parts of the sago palm are poisonous, but the seeds are especially dangerous. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, liver damage, seizures, and potentially death.

If you have dogs, this is one plant I would not keep where they can possibly reach it.

Oleander

All parts of the oleander plant are toxic.

Ingestion can affect the heart and may cause drooling, vomiting, weakness, abnormal heart rhythms, collapse, and other serious symptoms.

Azaleas & Rhododendrons

These popular landscaping plants can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and potentially heart or neurologic problems if enough is eaten.

Autumn Crocus

Don't confuse this with the ordinary spring crocus.

Autumn crocus can be very dangerous. It can cause severe gastrointestinal problems, organ damage, seizures, and other serious complications.

Lily of the Valley

This plant contains compounds that can affect the heart.

Signs of poisoning may include vomiting, weakness, abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, disorientation, or seizures.

Yew

Yew shrubs and trees are commonly used in landscaping.

Ingestion can cause serious heart and neurologic problems and can potentially be fatal.

Castor Bean

The seeds contain ricin, a powerful toxin.

Ingestion can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, dehydration, tremors, seizures, and potentially life-threatening complications.

Plants That Can Cause Irritation or Stomach Upset

Not every toxic plant is likely to cause a life-threatening emergency, but that doesn't mean you want your dog chewing on it.

Common plants that can cause problems include:

• Aloe
• Pothos
• Philodendron
• Dieffenbachia
• Peace lily
• English ivy
• Snake plant
• Jade plant
• Chrysanthemums
• Tulips
• Daffodils
• Hyacinths

Depending on the plant and how much is eaten, these may cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms.

Bulbs deserve special attention. With plants such as tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, the bulb contains a greater concentration of the plant's irritating or toxic compounds. Keep an eye on puppies that like to dig in flower beds.

What About Lilies?

You'll often hear that lilies are extremely poisonous to pets, but there is an important difference between dogs and cats.

True lilies and daylilies are particularly dangerous to cats, where even small exposures can cause severe kidney damage.

Dogs may still develop gastrointestinal upset from eating some lilies. And certain plants with “lily” in their name—such as Lily of the Valley—contain completely different toxins and can be much more dangerous.

The name alone isn't enough to tell you whether a plant is safe.

Don't Forget Wild Plants & Mushrooms

Your landscaping isn't the only thing to watch.

Wild mushrooms can appear almost overnight, especially after wet weather. Some are harmless, while others can cause severe poisoning—and telling them apart isn't always easy.

If you don't know what kind of mushroom it is, don't let your dog eat it.

The same goes for unfamiliar berries, seeds, nuts, vines, and wild plants.

If Your Dog Eats a Plant

If you know or suspect your dog has eaten a potentially poisonous plant:

1. Move your dog away from the plant.

2. Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth if you can safely do so.

3. Take a picture of the plant.

If possible, save a sample or note the plant's name.

4. Call your veterinarian, emergency veterinary clinic, or Animal Poison Control.

5. Do NOT automatically induce vomiting.

Whether vomiting is appropriate depends on what was eaten and your dog's condition. Wait for professional instructions.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

888-426-4435 — Available 24/7

Signs of Plant Poisoning

Symptoms vary depending on the plant and may include:

• Drooling or pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness or unusual tiredness
• Tremors
• Difficulty walking
• Changes in heart rate
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Collapse

Don't wait for symptoms if you know your dog ate something potentially dangerous. Some toxins can begin causing problems before obvious symptoms appear.

One Simple Habit That Can Make a Big Difference

Learn the names of the plants you keep inside your home and around your property.

Before buying a new houseplant or adding something to your landscaping, take a minute to check whether it's safe for dogs.

And remember—puppies are puppies. If there's something within reach that they're not supposed to chew, there's a pretty good chance they're eventually going to investigate it. 😂

When You're Not Sure

The ASPCA maintains a searchable database of plants that are toxic and non-toxic to dogs. It's a great resource when you need to check a particular plant rather than trying to memorize a giant list.

When in doubt: identify the plant, keep your dog away from it, and check before assuming it's safe.